Hospital at Home Offers a Smooth Recovery

Patient Story: Receiving Quality Care at Home

Ralph Miller is no stranger to Lahey Hospital & Medical Center (LHMC) and its Hospital at Home program. Due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), he has been cared for in LHMC’s Hospital at Home program three times this past year — twice while also suffering from pneumonia. His length of stays at the hospital have varied, as have his number of days in the program, but two things have remained the same — his quick recoveries and love for Hospital at Home.

Miller, 60, was one of the first patients in the Hospital at Home program when it began. The program provides patients requiring inpatient care the option to receive the same high-quality care they would receive in the hospital through in-home and virtual visits with a clinical care team.

Miller says his transitions from the hospital to home have always gone smoothly. He speaks highly of the paramedics and nurses who came into his house to care for him. They set up equipment, drew his blood, administered medications, weighed him, took his temperature and checked his blood pressure. He also notes communication through the program is great. “If I needed anything I would call the nurses. The nurses are on top of everything. They run a real tight ship.”

Dr. Shadchehr, Miller’s interventional pulmonologist at LHMC, shared comments from her perspective regarding Mr. Miller's Hospital at Home care, “It was wonderful to know that Ralph had such a great experience with Hospital at Home. The communication with me on transfer was clear and concise so continuity of care was never interrupted. I was able to use his story to reassure my other patients of what Hospital at Home is. Additionally, I found the program very appropriate for patients who are simply not comfortable being away from their familiar environment at home but need more advanced care.”

During one of his home hospital stays, Miller was also under the care of Hospital at Home Medical Director Dr. Andres Solorza who specializes in Hospital Medicine at LHMC. Solorza would speak with Miller once a day for updates on his condition and consult on next steps. “Dr. Solorza always gave good advice and would talk to me as long as I wanted to talk,” says Miller. Via the iPad on one of their calls, Miller even walked around his Burlington home and gave Solorza a virtual tour, complete with a viewing of his vintage 1950s Coca-Cola collection.

To Miller, the most beneficial part of the program is being at home and not feeling stressed and anxious at the hospital. Given his lung condition, he is at high-risk for developing other health problems. It makes him nervous to be in the hospital so he feels safer at home. “It was just so nice to be home and get well. I think that’s why I recovered so quickly.” He says he was more relaxed and just “went with the flow” as if it was “just another day at my house.”

An early riser, Miller likes to be on his own schedule. When recovering at home, he could wake up, make a cup of tea, and start his day by enjoying the comforts of his own kitchen and bathroom.

At home, Miller was surrounded by his wife, Robin, his dog, Roxy, and his grandchildren. He credits his family for playing a big role in his recovery. Robin was present every step of the way. She could make his meals and sit in on the clinician visits to know what was going on. “It was a comfort to her,” he says.

Miller is feeling well now, is currently out of the program, and would recommend it to anyone who may benefit from it. “I already told my neighbor about it,” he says. “He’s older and has some health issues and goes to the hospital a lot.” His advice to his neighbor and anyone entering the Hospital at Home program? “Just do what is expected of you and you will get well quicker.” The program “would help anybody recover,” Miller says. “It’s a unique little thing. You’re at home but you’re in the hospital.”

Miller advocates for having the Hospital at Home program available at more locations. “It’s incredible and it leaves hospital beds open for people who really need them.”

“It was awesome,” he states. “I loved it, and it was a good way for me to get well.”

“And my favorite part was being in my home. Period.”