In an innovative move to address the growing needs of the healthcare landscape, Sunway Home Healthcare (SHH) is expanding its suite of services and leveraging advanced technology to bring medical care into the homes of patients. This initiative is set to transform the way healthcare is delivered, particularly for those requiring acute, sub-acute, and chronic care, as well as promoting wellness and disease prevention.
SHH’s Hospital@Home and Wellness@Home programs aim to offer more complex and comprehensive healthcare services directly to patients’ residences. Hospital@Home focuses on providing care that traditionally required hospital stays, such as IV antibiotic drips and physiotherapy, in the patient’s home. This approach not only shortens hospital stays but also reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections, particularly benefiting the elderly by allowing them to recover in a more comfortable environment. Meanwhile, the Wellness@Home program concentrates on disease prevention and promoting health through lifestyle coaching for chronic disease management, health screenings, and vaccinations, carried out in community-based infirmaries.
A key component of these programs is the use of remote monitoring and telehealth services, powered by Sunway Medical Centre’s Telemedicine Command Centre. This technology enables consultants to maintain continuity of care with their patients post-discharge, offering a modern solution to traditional healthcare challenges.
Dr. Khoo Chow Huat, Managing Director (Hospital and Healthcare Operations) at Sunway Healthcare Group, highlighted the success of similar home healthcare models in Singapore and Australia, pointing out the local market’s demand and the gap that SHH aims to fill. Dr. Khoo elaborated on the benefits of the Hospital@Home program, including the significant reduction in hospital stays and the comfort of recovering at home, facilitated by a mobile multidisciplinary team and the support from Sunway Healthcare Group’s hospitals.
In addition to traditional caregiver services and basic nursing procedures, SHH is also pioneering specialized services such as ostomy care, complex wound dressing, and palliative support, alongside developing tailored programs like the Orthopaedic Perioperative Therapy for Improved Mobility (OPTIM) for joint replacement surgery patients.
Dr. Ng X’un-Jin, Deputy General Manager of Sunway Home Healthcare, emphasized the role of technology in enhancing the effectiveness of these programs. The incorporation of real-time vital signs monitoring and telemedicine services allows the SHH team to offer timely advice and support to patients and their families, making healthcare services more accessible through an informative website and a mobile app for service booking, appointment scheduling, and patient data management.
Supported by Sunway Healthcare Group’s extensive network, SHH ensures a seamless transition for patients from hospital to home care, emphasizing the importance of home-based care in achieving optimal recovery and well-being. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but also alleviates the strain on hospital resources, highlighting SHH’s dedication to enhancing the healthcare ecosystem through innovation and community outreach.