Virtual Home Hospital Postpartum Hypertension Care: The Patient Experience

Postpartum hypertension (HTN) is a common condition and a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Canada. Traditional clinical management generally requires multiple in-person clinic visits or hospital readmissions, creating logistical barriers for postpartum patients. The Edmonton Zone Virtual Home Hospital (VHH) program piloted a multidisciplinary care pathway for postpartum HTN care in the community, integrating remote patient monitoring and in-home acute care using specialist physician, nursing, pharmacist, and community paramedic support. This study highlights patient experiences with this novel care model.

A mixed-methods approach employing an experience survey with quantitative and qualitative questions, distributed to eligible postpartum patients from November 2022-April 2023. Descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis were used to examine survey results.

Most of the 22 respondents reported being satisfied with their care (73% very satisfied; 23% satisfied) and 4 key themes emerged: benefits of being at home, care team support, self-management, and experiences with technology. Patients felt involved in care decisions, prepared to manage their condition upon program discharge and would recommend this care model to others. Patient concerns were mitigated through rapid team response and personalized support.

The Virtual Postpartum HTN Pilot elicited high patient satisfaction and delivered hospital-level postpartum HTN care at home. This patient-centred pathway addressed key barriers to postpartum care, positively impacting accessibility, comfort, and convenience, while extending active acute management into the community. The innovative Edmonton Zone VHH model demonstrated strong potential for broader implementation to other patient populations well-suited to virtual care.