First Home Hospital project in the country to support Veterans experiencing homelessness

As we honor Veterans Day, we are excited to announce that Mass General Brigham’s Home Hospital and Ariadne Labs, in collaboration with the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV), have launched a home hospital pathway for Veterans experiencing homelessness. This marks the first effort in the country to test receipt of acute medical treatment from a housing partner’s residence instead of a brick-and mortar facility.

Through the pathway, eligible residents of NECHV’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Safe Haven, which provides onsite support services for Veterans with chronic medical or behavioral health conditions, will have access to expert hospital-level care from trusted providers in their Safe Haven residence. This pathway has the potential to transform acute care for patients experiencing homelessness. When they need hospital-level care, they often lose access to important wrap-around services, lose their belongings, and even lose their bed, forcing them to restart the housing process.

MGB Home Hospital patients receive comprehensive treatment that involves at least two daily in-home visits from a paramedic or nurse and at least one daily visit (virtual or in-person) from a physician or advanced practice provider. Patients also benefit from a 24/7 remote monitoring platform that tracks vital signs and facilitates continuous communication with their clinical team. This comprehensive approach ensures that patients receive the care they need, when they need it and has been shown to reduce hospital readmissions and improve physical activity.

Individuals experiencing homelessness face disproportionately high rates of health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS, often three to six times higher than that of the general population, all conditions that require treatment plan adherence or will require acute medical attention.

“The Home Hospital care model offers an opportunity to promote health equity. By bringing high-quality care directly to Veterans experiencing homelessness – a historically marginalized population facing significant barriers – we can ensure they receive the necessary care and support, ultimately transforming their health outcomes and bridging the gap in care access,” said David Levine, MD, MPH, MA, clinical director for research and development for Mass General Brigham’s Healthcare at Home. “This program will help inform future implementation practices for providing care to this population.”

“The New England Center and Home for Veterans is pleased to partner with Mass General Brigham and Ariadne Labs to make Home Hospital services available to our Safe Haven residents,” said NECHV President and CEO Andy McCawley. “Those in our Safe Haven program are the most vulnerable and challenged Veterans we serve. The comprehensive on-site care offered by the Home Hospital program will help prevent the need for hospitalization and maintain their physical well-being.” 

While the Home Hospital model continues to expand across the United States, patients experiencing homelessness are often left out. This novel pathway addresses this critical gap by allowing patients to receive high-quality medical care while retaining their NECHV benefits.