OSF Healthcare Treats 30,000 Patients Through Digital Hospital Program

OSF Healthcare in Peoria, Illinois, has treated more than 30,000 patients through its OnCall Digital Hospital program. The service delivers hospital-level care to patients' homes using remote monitoring technology and daily nursing visits. This model emerged as a temporary response to pandemic pressures but has gained steady traction as a standard alternative to inpatient stays.

The program operates under a federal hospital-at-home framework. Patients must live within 30 minutes of the participating hospital and be stable enough for home monitoring. The service handles various conditions, including infections, congestive heart failure, and COPD. OSF provides all necessary equipment, including tablets for video visits and remote monitoring devices. The company also supplies internet access and training for patients and their caregivers.

Colleen Callahan, 75, used the service in 2024 after being diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia in both lungs. She was discharged from a traditional hospital setting three days after admission and accepted the digital care option. Nurses visited her home at least twice daily, while doctors checked in virtually. The program includes protocols to return patients to the medical center quickly if their condition deteriorates. Callahan completed five days of care in her own bed and said she would use the service again.

Financial data supports the efficiency of the model. A 2024 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services study found that readmission rates and hospital-acquired infections are lower for hospital-at-home patients compared to those treated in traditional facilities. Akin Demehin of the American Hospital Association stated that patients generally face the same billing rates as inpatient stays. Tom Kiesau of the healthcare consulting firm Chartis Group noted that lower post-discharge spending and reduced hospitalizations could lead to savings for the government and taxpayers.

Regulatory stability is a key factor in the program's expansion. The Medicare waiver required for hospitals to treat patients at home was recently approved through September 2030 with bipartisan support. Krista Drobac of Moving Health Home described the regulatory certainty as a major win. This approval allows more than 350 hospitals nationwide to continue or expand their home-based care offerings. The program remains voluntary and does not replace surgeries or other treatments that require physical hospital infrastructure.

Advocates and researchers continue to examine the impact on family members. A 2022 study in JAMA Health Forum noted that the program did not sufficiently consider the role of family caregivers. However, Drobac said research indicates that caregivers often feel less stress because they have professional support to consult. Callahan said her husband and daughter felt supported during her treatment. According to Moving Health Home, 85% of people who received care through the program said they would recommend it to family and friends.