Like many hospitals across the province, Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) faces high demand for inpatient beds. Patients who are acutely ill but medically stable may remain in hospital, while awaiting investigations, monitoring, or community supports, which limits capacity for higher acuity patients. Physicians and care teams at KGH facing this pressure asked a critical question: how can we reduce unnecessary length of stay for patients while maintaining continuity and quality of care?

The solution

To support patient recovery, while preserving inpatient capacity for higher acuity care, a multidisciplinary team at KGH adopted the Hospital at Home (HAH) program, a physician-led model already established in several BC communities. The program provides comprehensive short-term hospital-level acute care to eligible patients in their homes as an alternative to remaining in the hospital. 

With support from the Specialist Services Committee’s Facility Engagement initiative and Health System Redesign funding, KGH introduced the program in 2025, adapting the provincial model to meet local needs.

Funding provided essential resources to fund physician time and a streamlined onboarding process to support high-quality home-based care. It also supported the development of clear admission criteria to identify eligible patients along with targeted outreach to hospital departments to strengthen information sharing and ensure seamless integration within the broader health care system.

Eligible patients are identified by their most responsible physician from the emergency department, in-patient unit, or the Hospital at Home team. Once enrolled, patients receive care from a multidisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals. Care includes at least one-person visit per day, along with virtual care, medication delivery, assessments, and discharge planning. Episodes of care typically last three to seven days, with established pathways for imaging, specialist consultation, or safe return to hospital when required. Patients may choose to return to hospital at any time in their HaH journey.

Impacts

Building on results seen in Victoria, Duncan, Vancouver, and Prince George, the program is now delivering similar benefits at KGH. Since launching, more than 370 patients have been enrolled, freeing up 2,657 hospital days of care now being delivered at home. The program has reduced readmissions and strengthened patients’ confidence during discharge and recovery.

Key takeaways and lessons learned

Hospital at Home is grounded in team-based care and patient safety, defined by clinical criteria, and 24/7 communication. Clear guidelines support decisions about virtual and in-home care, and outline processes for safe return to the hospital when needed.

The team is exploring opportunities to expand the model to post-surgical monitoring, complex seniors care, and palliative care.