Melissa Donovan
Nemours Children’s Health has introduced a new patient-care model that could shift how pediatric services are delivered nationwide. The organization has launched Advanced Care at Home, described as the first pediatric at-home care program created by a freestanding children’s hospital and aimed at supporting children with elevated medical needs in the place they know best — home.
Announced from Jacksonville on Nov. 10, the initiative blends round-the-clock clinical access, remote monitoring technology and individualized care coordination. The goal is to help children transition safely from the hospital while maintaining a high standard of care through structured virtual support.
Designed for pediatric patients who are stable but still require comprehensive oversight, Advanced Care at Home is especially suited for children with chronic or complex medical conditions. Leaders say the program not only shortens hospital stays but also reduces stress on families by shifting care to a familiar environment.
“Advanced Care at Home is an extension of our Whole Child Health approach — care designed to support children where they live, learn, and grow,” R. Lawrence Moss, MD, FACS, FAAP, President and CEO of Nemours Children’s Health said in a press release. “This is an entirely new model of care that brings children home, keeps families together, and lets the entire family be comfortable in their own space.”
According to Nemours, more than 120 children have enrolled since the program began in June. To date, it has restored 177 hospital days to families, prevented 27 inpatient readmissions and reduced emergency department utilization by avoiding 91 visits. The organization notes that these early results highlight both the clinical and economic benefits of at-home pediatric recovery.
“We know patients and families benefit significantly from treatment options that enable safe, continuous care and recovery in the comfort of their own homes,” Jane Mericle, Executive Vice President, Chief Nursing Executive and Patient Operations Officer of Nemours Children’s Health said. “Advanced Care at Home offers tremendous promise in revolutionizing pediatric health care.”
Nemours Children’s Health plans to expand the program to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, by the end of 2025. A pediatric-focused mobile integrated health program is also in development for 2026, signaling continued investment in care models that extend beyond traditional hospital walls.
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