For the last year, patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have been able to receive hospital level treatment in the comfort of their own homes thanks to Atrium Health Navicent’s innovative virtual Hospital at Home  COVID Monitoring Program. The program, which is designed to protect the patient’s health, the health of others, and  prevent further spread of the virus, has now expanded to include pediatric patients and pediatric diabetes patients,  providing equal access to care to all children. 

Pediatric patients are referred from the inpatient and emergency room settings at Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight  Olson Children’s Hospital. Hospital at Home is currently accepting patients aged 17 and younger who have received  either a COVID-19 or new diabetes diagnosis, and who meet certain criteria. 

Patients referred to the Hospital at Home program must have telephone access. For both COVID-19 and newly diagnosed  diabetes patients, at home caregivers monitor and log the pediatric patient’s vital signs and participate in check-in calls  with a care team which includes a pediatrician, a pediatric nurse practitioner and a pediatric nurse. The patient’s parent or  guardian may also access a 24/7 support line for any questions about their child’s health. 

Through the virtual care delivery system, care providers can spot any trends or worsening symptoms and provide early  intervention, if needed, before an emergency occurs.  

For pediatric diabetes patients, Hospital at Home helps bridge the gap between the time when a child is discharged from  the hospital with a new diabetes diagnosis until when they establish care with a pediatric endocrinologist. The program  allows parents and guardians to receive assistance monitoring the child’s blood sugar levels, diet and insulin usage, and  to prevent potential complications that could lead to readmission to the hospital.  

“Hospital at Home is just one more way that Atrium Health Navicent is innovating for the future and working to improve  access to high quality health care,” said Atrium Health Navicent Chief Medical Officer Patrice Walker. “Using this program,  qualifying patients can recover and receive monitoring from the comfort of home, hopefully preventing the need for, or  shortening, an in-person hospital stay. In the future, we hope to add qualifying diagnoses to allow more children equal  access to care.” 

For information about Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital, visit childrenshospitalnh.org. To learn more about how  Atrium Health Navicent is providing care during COVID-19, visit navicenthealth.org/covid-19-resources.html.