Atrium Health Navicent brings hospital-level care to patients’ homes in Middle Georgia
Lana Maddox, co-nurse manager and ICU nurse manager at Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin, joined 41 Today to discuss how the program works, who qualifies and what patients can expect.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Atrium Health Navicent is bringing hospital-level care directly to patients’ homes through its Hospital at Home program, serving eligible patients across Middle Georgia.
Lana Maddox, co-nurse manager and ICU nurse manager at Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin, joined 41 Today to discuss how the program works, who qualifies and what patients can expect.
“Instead of us caring for you in the hospital, we actually take you home and care for you,” Maddox said. “But we provide all the same services just as you were in the hospital.”
The program allows certain patients with conditions such as pneumonia, infections, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to receive care at home. Maddox said patients must meet specific criteria to ensure they can safely receive treatment outside a traditional hospital setting.
Patients enrolled in the program receive two daily in-home visits from paramedics, along with 24/7 virtual nursing monitoring. Physicians are also available around the clock and conduct daily virtual rounds with patients.
Maddox said the program allows patients to recover in familiar surroundings while maintaining access to medical professionals.
“Patients love to be at home in their own bed,” Maddox said. “They can be with their family more.”
The program serves patients in Macon, Milledgeville, Perry and surrounding Middle Georgia communities.
According to Maddox, patients can contact a nurse at the press of a button and receive individualized attention during virtual physician visits and in-person paramedic appointments.
The length of care varies depending on each patient’s medical needs. Some patients may remain in the program for one or two days, while others may require more than a week of treatment.
Maddox said patients are discharged when their physician determines they are medically ready.
Patients interested in Hospital at Home can speak with their nurse or physician while hospitalized. Medical staff can then contact the program’s team to determine whether the patient qualifies.
