Hospital-at-Home Managers

A HaH manager who is tasked with creating a HaH program works closely with the chief operating officer, chief executive officer, and various department heads and executives (e.g., nurse manager, chief medical officer, chief information technology officer) to develop parameters and frameworks for the program. They consider a wide range of factors as they develop these parameters and frameworks. “Each health system or hospital has distinct clinical capabilities, different patient and payer mixes, and unique environmental challenges,” according to the Mount Sinai Hospitalization at Home and Rehabilitation at Home Implementation Manual. For example, the HaH manager may work for a small hospital in a rural area or at a large hospital that offers comprehensive patient services in a large city. As a result, the type of program that they develop will vary based on these and other factors. Managers must make other decisions. For example, will it be more cost-effective to insource or outsource staff? What type of training resources will be provided to HaH staff? What telehealth and other technology will be used in the program, and who will fix it if it malfunctions? What acute conditions will the hospital treat in its HaH program based on budget, technology and staffing availability, and other factors? Which vendors will be hired to provide technology and supplies? HaH managers also often solicit input from community leaders and members, patients, and others at the local level to understand their concerns and needs for a HaH program.

Once a HaH program is launched, the manager oversees its daily operation. They supervise and meet regularly with various department heads such as clinical director, administrative manager, clinical nurse manager, and staffing manager. HaH managers work to address any issues (e.g., staffing, technology) that affect the operation of the program and try to find ways to improve it.