2001

Geriatricians, internists, family practice doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses who care for older persons all are aware of the many unique challenges that face hospitalized older persons.

An innovative project is under way at Kaleida Health that has the potential to offer a new option in health care to acutely ill older persons. Project At Home provides a type of "home hospitalization."

Under the direction of Bruce Naughton, M.D., Chief of the Division of Geriatrics at Kaleida Health and the University at Buffalo, the Project is a two-year collaboration that includes the Visiting Nursing Association of Western New York, Univera Healthcare and Independent Health. Modeled after a successful pilot project completed at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Project At Home is funded by the John Hartford Foundation.

Acutely ill older persons (age 65 or older) now are being assessed for eligibility when they arrive in the emergency rooms of Buffalo General and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.

Patients who have a confirmed diagnosis of one of four illnesses - Community Acquired Pneumonia, Cellulitis, COPD Exacerbation and CHF Exacerbation - and who require hospitalization, will be considered as candidates.

"If they are eligible after meeting strict criteria, the patient will be offered the opportunity to be hospitalized at home," explained Dr. Naughton. "Patients in the Project then will receive, at a minimum, daily visits from physicians and nurse practitioners, as well as hourly nursing care. All necessary medical testing and treatment will be provided at home. Admission to Project At Home is voluntary."

"This home hospital model was shown to have a high level of patient and caregiver satisfaction from the participating patients in the pilot project in Baltimore," Dr. Naughton added.