Spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cleveland-based MetroHealth implemented a plan to treat patients at home. In mid-March, the system opened a 24-hour hotline to field calls from anyone concerned they might have COVID-19. The hotline averted a surge of hospital patients and connected those advised to self-quarantine with needed social services and supports, including grocery delivery through the hospital’s Institute for H.O.P.E. (health, opportunity, partnership, empowerment), which was founded to address the community’s health disparities. So far, the area has experienced fewer COVID-19 deaths than other U.S. counties with similar demographics. MetroHealth plans to continue managing care while patients remain at home and to expand its use of telehealth to post-discharge care through a new Hospital at Home program. (Kaiser Health News story, 6/10/20)
