By harnessing technology, a Northumberland County hospital is aiming to give patients the support they need at home to improve their quality of life and reduce their likelihood of being readmitted to the hospital.
Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) in the Municipality of Trent Hills is launching a pilot of the Rural Stop Gap (RSG) Program, described in a media release as an innovative initiative designed to help patients manage their health at home and minimize the number of return visits to the emergency department.
Through a partnership with Toronto-based healthcare company Gotcare, the program aims to provide timely technology-enabled care to patients who may otherwise struggle with managing their conditions after discharge.
“The goal of the program is to give patients the support they need to recover comfortably and safely at home, while also helping to prevent avoidable readmissions to the hospital,” Heather Campbell, vice-president of patient care and chief nursing executive at CMH, told kawarthaNOW.
“By ensuring the right care is in place after discharge, the program promotes better outcomes for patients and reduces strain on hospital resources.”
The RSG program aims to expedite discharges, connect patients with home-based support, and reduce avoidable hospital readmissions, with the added benefit of freeing up much-needed hospital capacity.
“Given limited resources and long wait times for care in many rural communities, this program addresses this challenge by offering a hybrid approach to care — combining home visits from health ambassadors with virtual visits from clinicians, ensuring patients receive the assistance they need to manage their health effectively,” the hospital states.
“The RSG program is an innovative digital approach to augment our patient care model,” Campbell added.
“By providing structured support at home, we can improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital congestion, and enhance overall health care access for our community.”
Initially implemented regionally in the Quinte area for patients in Hastings and Prince Edward counties, the program’s funding has now been expanded to include all patients who receive care at the hospital, regardless of where they live.
Services for patients include remote monitoring, falls management, wellness check-ins, and personalized care plans that “empower patients to take an active role in managing their health.”
The program also uses AI-enabled technology and predictive analytics to identify potential health concerns before they escalate.
“Our goal is to bridge the gap between hospital and home care,” said Gotcare co-founder and CEO Chenny Xia. “By leveraging technology and a dedicated workforce, we can ensure that patients feel supported, stay healthier, and ultimately reduce unnecessary hospital visits.”
CMH said this initiative aligns with the hospital’s soon-to-be-launched strategic plan and its commitment to “pushing the boundaries of rural care by enhancing innovative partnerships and developing proactive health management strategies often not available in rural areas.”
For more information about Gotcare, visit gotcare.ca.
