Bridging boundaries: a research consortium to advance hospital-at-home care delivery

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of the hospital at home (HAH) model, driven by the 2020 CMS Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver that removed financial barriers to reimbursement. With more than 330 hospitals across 130 health systems implementing HAH, this care model offers promising outcomes and experiences while addressing rising health care costs and an aging population. However, further research is needed to define its scalability, appropriate patient populations, and long-term viability. To address these gaps, Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic established the Cleveland Clinic-Mayo Clinic (CCMC) Home-Based Care Research Consortium. The consortium focuses on creating a national registry, standardizing data, and developing evidence-based care pathways to evaluate the impact of HAH on patient safety, outcomes, and costs. Additionally, it aims to identify which populations and conditions can benefit most, ensuring equitable and high-quality care delivery. The consortium also prioritizes caregiver well-being, exploring virtual and hybrid models to address workforce challenges and enhance provider satisfaction. Recognizing health equity as essential, it emphasizes enrolling diverse populations and collaborating with community organizations to address social determinants of health. The consortium will also focus on true cost savings, workforce efficiency, and integration with home-based care programs, taking into account recent advances in technology and artificial intelligence. By fostering collaboration and rigorous research, the CCMC Consortium seeks to refine HAH into a scalable, sustainable, and equitable care model that meets the evolving demands of modern health care.