New self-referral web portal launched for innovative care model COVID Care @ Home
(HAMILTON, NIAGARA, KITCHENER) – FEBRUARY 19, 2021 – COVID Care @ Home has launched a new web portal that makes it easier for people with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID 19 to self-refer to the program for immediate support.
The new web portal (https://sjhs.ca/integratedcare/covid-care-at-home/) provides an easy-to-use form to self-refer to the COVID Care @ Home Program.
COVID Care @ Home is a unique model of care delivered by St. Joseph’s Home Care (SJHC), in partnership with St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS), hospitals, primary care, public health and community partners in Hamilton, Niagara and Kitchener/Waterloo.
COVID Care @ Home connects patients to care wherever they are, whenever they need it. This innovative, flexible model provides access to services that may not typically be easily accessed, supporting the care and recovery of people managing COVID at home. Utilizing blends of both virtual and in person care, a personalized team guides and follows patients from diagnosis through to recovery.
Bringing together partners across three cities, including local primary care and public health, this new model of care for COVID patients provides 24/7 access to high-quality care. Since early November, the program has been actively supporting patients in the home and in community settings like retirement homes, shelters and hospices.
Now, through the web portal, there is a new, convenient way for patients to access the service. As always, patients are encouraged to also speak with their primary care physician about their health concerns.
Healthcare providers caring for COVID positive patients now have two ways to access the service – If not already available to them through their Electronic Medical Record System, they can download a fillable form on the web portal to refer to COVID Care @ Home on their patient’s behalf.
COVID Care @ Home ensures that patients are being cared for by one integrated team representing a variety of providers whose clinical decisions are empowered through the use of a single electronic patient record to support patients in the following ways:
- Virtual Care
- One number to call 24/7
- One clinical team
- One electronic record
- System navigation / connection to social supports
- Access to home and community supports
- IPAC Support
Learn more about COVID Care @ Home at: https://sjhs.ca/integratedcare/covid-care-at-home
About St. Joseph’s Home Care
Since 1921, St. Joseph’s Home Care has provided high quality, values-based home and community services in a spirit of compassion and dedication. We have evolved from a nursing agency to offering a much broader range of services, and our steadfast commitment to delivering exemplary client-focused care to the Hamilton community continues.
About St. Joseph’s Health System
St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS) is one of the largest healthcare organizations in Canada, and is the only system in Ontario delivering a full continuum of health care services. SJHS is a globally recognized leader for innovation in models of patient-centred integrated care. SJHS has a unique partnership with Niagara Health to leverage each organization’s strengths to bring better care to the people in the communities we serve.
About St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
As a premier academic and research healthcare organization, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is committed to making a difference in people’s lives and creating a lasting future for our community through integrated health services and internationally recognized programs. Our threefold mission is to provide dynamic research, revolutionary methods in health sciences education and the highest standard of clinical care in a spirit of compassion, innovation and commitment.
About St. Mary’s General Hospital
Located in the heart of Kitchener, Ontario, St. Mary’s is the second-largest acute care hospital in the St. Joseph’s Health System and a Regional Cardiac Care Centre. We proudly serve the residents of Waterloo, Wellington County, and extend our reach to Dufferin, Grey-Bruce and beyond. Our nearly 2,000 staff, physicians and volunteers provide excellent, compassionate care to hundreds of thousands of patients and families every year.
About Niagara Health:
Niagara Health is a regional healthcare provider with multiple sites and a growing network of virtual and community-based services. We provide a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services to more than 450,000 residents across Niagara, including Acute Care, Cancer Care, Cardiac Care, Complex Care, Emergency and Urgent Care, Kidney Care, Long-Term Care, Mental Health and Addictions, Stroke Care and Surgical Care.
For More Information:
Patrick Moore
Senior Public Affairs Specialist, St. Joseph’s Health System P: (905) 870-1293 | E: pmoore@stjoes.ca
Anne Kelly
Manager, Communications, St. Mary’s General Hospital P: (519) 749-6578, x. 1501 | E: akelly@smgh.ca
Steven Gallagher
Communications Specialist, Niagara Health
P: (289) 696-6767 | E: Steven.Gallagher@niagarahealth.on.ca