Patient observes Ramadan at home through Hospital Care at Home program

When Muhammad Munir was admitted to the University Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) on March 28, Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and worship for Muslims, had already begun.

Having experienced previous long-lasting ED stays, Munir and his family worried not only about the pain and recovery ahead for him, but also about his inability to properly observe this holy time of prayer and spend special moments with his family.  

This secondary stressful concern was immediately lifted when the care team told his son, Ahsan Munir, that his father qualified for the Hospital Care at Home (HCAH) program. The following day after admission, Munir was able to take his father to his own home to care for him, while working full time from home.

“When it was offered to us, I immediately said yes,” Ahsan Munir said. “We have taken care of my father in the ER before and it has been exhausting. I was in the ER all day and all night. Those small chairs are very uncomfortable and going back and forth between home and work is very difficult.”

Under the HCAH program the nurses and doctors visited him each day at home, gave him IV treatments, drew blood, administered any necessary tests and provided medications. Most importantly, according to Munir, his father was able to participate in family activities.

“During Ramadan, we have two meals; before sunrise, and after sunset,” Munir said. “That is when we are able to be together and have a small celebration. He would have missed it all.”

Munir believes treatment at home had a positive impact on his father’s quick recovery.

“He is always so uncomfortable staying in the hospital bed,” Munir said. “He becomes more and more weaker the longer he stays there and then he has to go to rehab for longer to get strong again. And he is depressed and hates the food when he is there.

“At home, he got out of bed right away, got dressed and did all his regular stuff,” he added. “He didn’t need a lot of help that he needed in the past, and he is happier. They came and did everything for us. it was like luxury. Everything worked well at home. It was amazing.”

Another plus side to HCAH might also be a person’s willingness to seek care in the future, according to the Munir family.

“We knew my father needed the IVs to get better, but he hated the hospital. He didn’t want to be in there, so he didn’t want to go anywhere to get treatment. With this experience he loved the care so much. He liked how the nurses and doctors cared for him on such a very personal level. They were very kind. This may convince him not to avoid care next time.”