An at-home telehealth pilot program for patients with multiple chronic conditions between Philips and Arizona-based Banner Health has led to a 45 percent reduction in hospitalizations. Working together to address the shift toward value-based care and increased penalties for readmissions, the Intensive Ambulatory Care (IAC) pilot program assessed the results of 135 patients1 to determine the effectiveness of the IAC program in meeting its clinical and financial goals.
Joint Telehealth Program Key Findings
An analysis of the results of each patient’s first six months demonstrated that the program:
– Reduced costs of care by 27 percent. This cost savings was driven primarily by a reduction in hospitalization rates and days in the hospital, as well as a reduction in professional service and outpatient costs.
– Reduced acute and long term care costs by 32 percent. This cost reduction was primarily due to a significant decrease in hospitalizations.
– Reduced hospitalizations by 45 percent. Prior to enrollment in the IAC program, there were 11.5 hospitalizations per 100 patients per month; after enrollment, the acute and long-term hospitalization rate dropped to 6.3 hospitalizations per 100 patients per month.
– Acute short term hospital stays decreased from 7.7 hospitalizations per 100 patients per month to 4.9.
– Long term care, home health or other facility stays decreased from 3.9 hospitalizations per 100 patients per month to 1.4.
– Average number of days in the hospital per 100 patients per month also trended down from 90.2 to 65.8.
Pilot Background
Launched in 2013, the pilot program is part of the overall telehealth program at Banner focused on the most complex and highest cost patients – the top five percent of patients who account for 50 percent of health care spend. Banner recently enrolled its 500th patient into the IAC program in which intensivist PCPs, nurses and a broader care team collect and analyze objective and subjective health data to identify early stages of deterioration and prevent adverse events. By providing patients with near-instant access to caregivers – including social workers, pharmacists, and health coaches – Banner has delivered patient-centered care and improved patient satisfaction.
“As we continue to expand this program, we anticipate seeing further proof that telehealth programs can address readmissions rates, reduce costs, and improve the health and quality of life for patients with multiple chronic diseases,” said Dr. Hargobind Khurana, senior medical director of Health Management, Banner.
