Quebec Expands Virtual Home Care Program to More Hospitals
Quebec is expanding its virtual home care program to more hospitals across the province, allowing patients who have been hospitalized to go home sooner while still receiving care. The program was pioneered by the Jewish General Hospital at the height of the pandemic and has since been implemented in five new hospitals: Pierre-Boucher hospital, Anna-Laberge hospital, Hôtel-dieu de Lévis, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), and University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM) (Montreal).
The program has been a success, with patients reporting high satisfaction rates. “One hundred per cent of our patients tell us that they prefer hospital at home than in-person care. They rate their overall satisfaction at 93 per cent,” said Erin Cook, director of the Jewish General Hospital program.
Quebec’s minister responsible for seniors, Sonia Bélanger, believes the expansion will help free up hospital beds and provide services to more patients. “They remain a client of the hospital where all their services remain intact,” she said.
However, experts caution that the program is not a one-stop solution. Patients’ rights advocate Paul Brunet said that while the program is good, it’s important to ensure that patients feel safe using the technology and are well followed. He also believes that at-home care programs, such as the Soins intensifs à domicile (SIAD), remain the better option.
Dr. Eveline Gaillardetz, one of 15 doctors in the program, agrees that virtual care wards are a step in the right direction but not the only solution. She hopes that patients who participate will be able to have continued access to care. “They must maintain strong medical oversight based in a CLSC so we can provide followups. These patients often have chronic diseases,” she said.
The province plans to add more virtual wards in another four hospitals across Quebec by the end of the year.
