SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Hospital at Home Referral Patterns Over Time: Lessons in Sustaining Care Innovations

Pdf Summary

This retrospective cohort study examined referral patterns to Atrium Health’s Hospital at Home (AH-HaH) program to understand how consistent referrals can be sustained even when capacity pressure is lower. The study reviewed weekly Physician Connection Line (PCL) call outcomes from January 3 to October 30, 2021.<br /><br />Across 3,985 calls to the PCL, 60.9% resulted in transfer to AH-HaH. Patient refusals were tracked starting August 15, 2021, and accounted for 5.8% of calls. Referrals were categorized as transfers to AH-HaH, refusals, or physician consults when patients did not transfer because they were not eligible or the referring clinician had questions about management.<br /><br />The findings suggest that maintaining stable referral volume over time depends less on surge-driven urgency and more on reducing barriers to referral. Key strategies associated with sustained referrals included simplifying and standardizing workflows, making the referral process easier for clinicians, and promoting positive patient experiences and favorable word-of-mouth or press.<br /><br />Overall, the study highlights that Hospital at Home programs can sustain referrals beyond periods of high demand if they focus on operational consistency and lowering friction in the referral process.

Asset Subtitle

Stephanie Murphy

Meta Tag

Author List Colleen Hole, Jennifer S. Priem, Pooja P. Palmer, Stephanie Murphy, Timothy Hetherington

Category Research

Concept Home-Based Acute Care

Concept Referral Rate

Concept Surge Capacity Pressure

Concept Workflow

Concept Retrospective Study Design

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Atrium Health

Presenting Author Stephanie Murphy

Track Value in Hospital Medicine

Keywords

Hospital at Home

Atrium Health

retrospective cohort study

referral patterns

Physician Connection Line

patient refusals

workflow standardization

referral barriers

operational consistency

sustained referrals

Home-Based Acute Care

Referral Rate

Surge Capacity Pressure

Workflow

Retrospective Study Design