Patient Success Stories
Our care is changing patients’ lives – and our healthcare system – for the better.
Breaking the cycle of repeat hospitalizations.
Her Challange
For 81-year-old Patricia, chronic COPD and CHF had led to three recent hospitalizations. When cough, fever and increased oxygen requirements indicated another crisis, Patricia’s son reached out to DispatchHealth for on-call care.
Timely Care at Home
Our acute care team performed a risk assessment including lab evaluations and ECG, and arranged for an x-ray, ultimately confirming a diagnosis of COPD and pneumonia exacerbations. Instead of a fourth hospital stay, DispatchHealth offered advanced care at home. Patricia received comprehensive treatment including IV medications and fluids, nebulizer therapy and visits from a hospitalist or RN when needed.
360-Degree Coordination
The DispatchHealth team engaged Patricia’s PCP, pulmonologist, physical therapist and in-home caregivers to ensure full visibility and continuity of care. Supportive services included scheduling follow-up appointments, organizing transportation, reviewing and adjusting medications, and even replacing a non-working scale to help Patricia more effectively monitor her weight at home.
The DispatchHealth Difference
With fully coordinated advanced care in the comfort of her home, Patricia and her family avoided the stress and disruption of yet another hospitalization, and Patricia became a more active participant in her own health journey.
Able to heal at home despite complex conditions.
His Challenge
Eighty-one-year-old James has a history of hypertension, Parkinson’s disease and depression. He declined admission to a skilled nursing facility following a hip replacement and was scheduled for bridge care follow-up with DispatchHealth 48 hours post-discharge.
Timely Support in a Critical Moment
Our team found James on the couch, fatigued and in pain, with a full urinary catheter bag that was beginning to leak. Unsure of how to manage the catheter, James was considering returning to the hospital. He was also unclear about how to schedule needed follow-up care, including home health and physical therapy.
In addition to immediate acute care, our team provided education on catheter and incentive spirometer use and safe ambulation. We also helped James organize scheduling and transportation for follow-up appointments. Understanding that James was at high risk for readmission to the hospital, we expanded the support plan to include two additional follow-up home visits.
The DispatchHealth Difference
For James, timely care in the comfort of home meant the difference between a smooth recovery and a hospital readmission with high risk of additional complications. With DispatchHealth support, James was able to stay safely in his home for the bulk of his recovery, while also accessing the specialist follow-up care he needed.
No longer relying on the ER.
Struggling to control her diabetes, Marla was a frequent visitor to the ER for foot infections and other complications, and had also experienced multiple hospitalizations. When a severe infection put Marla at risk for amputation, her care team knew a different approach was needed.
Sustained, attentive care in the home.
As a DispatchHealth advanced care patient, Marla received the consistent care she needed over a longer period of time than is usually possible in a traditional hospital setting. In addition to providing wound care and rehabilitation, our team coordinated with Marla’s PCP and specialists – all working toward the goal of increasing Marla’s diabetes control to improve her complication trajectory.
By the end of her period of care, Marla was able to lower her insulin by half and discontinue three medications that were no longer needed. Most importantly, she avoided amputation and gained the education and confidence needed to establish a “new normal” for managing her health.
The DispatchHealth Difference
Supported by a full healthcare team, including DispatchHealth, Marla succeeded in changing the course of her diabetes, her overall health – and her life.
Making lifestyle changes through education and support.
Her Challenge
Seventy-four-year-old Margaret first came to DispatchHealth through an acute care appointment. She’d recently been hospitalized for COPD exacerbation and was experiencing increasing shortness of breath.
Identifying Issues, Providing Solutions
Through their in-home assessment, the DispatchHealth team evaluated Margaret’s physical condition as well as additional SDOH and lifestyle dimensions affecting her risk of hospital readmission. Margaret acknowledged she was still smoking, was having difficulty keeping up with several critical medications, and was not following up with her PCP due to lack of transportation.
Noting the severity of Margaret’s condition, DispatchHealth promptly recommended advanced care at home to help her get on track. She began nicotine patches and Wellbutrin and received education about the role of these medications in her overall health. She was also connected to a home-based PCP for ongoing care.
The DispatchHealth Difference
In post-care follow-ups, Margaret reports that she’s off cigarettes and now can’t stand their smell. She’s also keeping up with her medications and has a more complete understanding of the role they play in maintaining stable health. For Margaret, the care and attention of DispatchHealth made all the difference: “No one has ever been that invested in me,” she says.
Regaining control of her health.
Her Challenge
Seventy-six-year-old Elenor came to DispatchHealth bridge care following a lengthy hospitalization for acute kidney failure. With multiple complex conditions and three children in the household, Elenor faced a daily ordeal to keep on top of her health.
Detail-Oriented, Whole-Person Care
In addition to Elenor’s physical health conditions, the DispatchHealth team identified multiple SDOH challenges including food insecurity and financial struggles. Needed interventions included vigilant medication management, regular at-home lab monitoring for stable kidney function, coordination with nephrology and cardiology specialists, and daily physical therapy to help Elenor regain strength and reverse muscle loss.
DispatchHealth also supported Elenor with intensive medication education, including helping her establish a reliable and low-stress system for filling her pill box. Connecting Elenor to heart-healthy meal deliveries through a community resource was another key element of her care. Finally, our team set Elenor up for success by facilitating a smooth handoff back to her community-based PCP.
The DispatchHealth Difference
With the demands of children at home, a skilled nursing facility stay was out of the question for Elenor. Yet her conditions demanded a high level of care, attention and education to maintain positive momentum toward more stable health. By enabling Elenor to receive these services in her home, DispatchHealth made the difference between the path to recovery and the risk of readmission.
