'Going home was a dream'

Like the famous line from “The Wizard of Oz,” there’s no place like home.

Just ask Janice Carrier.

After being hospitalized several times in five months for an infection, the 89-year-old was glad on her last visit to be able to continue her treatment at home. Baptist Health had just expanded its Hospital at Home program to Baptist Medical Center South.

The program, which started at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville in February 2026, is for adult patients who still need hospital-level care but are stable enough to safely receive it at home, as determined by their doctors. Conditions that could be treated at home include pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cellulitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and more.

More than 300 patients have been transferred into the program from both hospitals.

Grateful to be home

Carrier was grateful she didn’t have to stay in the hospital longer than eight days or transfer to a rehab facility to continue her care, as she had after previous hospital stays. She has been dealing with infections from pressure wounds on her legs and blood flow problems for four years.

Carrier needed intravenous (IV) antibiotics, which she was able to continue receiving through Hospital at Home.

“It was a miracle. It really was,” Carrier said. “Everyone knew their job and they did what they were supposed to do. Going home was a dream.”

After an ambulance took her home, she received 24/7 virtual nursing assessment and monitoring as well as home visits three times a day to administer the antibiotics. She also received three meals daily.

Daily in-home monitoring

Through the program, patients like Carrier also receive a personalized care plan developed by physicians, nurses and other health care professionals, along with at least two daily in-home paramedic visits and a daily virtual check-in with a physician.

Services, if needed, also include labs, EKG, IV infusions, medication management, oxygen and respiratory care and imaging services. Pharmacy services, nutrition guidance, meals, care management (social work, case management, discharge planning), physical and occupational therapy are also provided.

Payal Patel, MD, hospitalist for Baptist Hospital at Home, said it was a pleasure caring for Carrier.

“She is a lovely woman, and it was truly rewarding to be part of her care journey,” Dr. Patel said. “It was heartwarming to see her begin to thrive again in the comfort of her own home. It was especially encouraging to witness her improved mobility through the Hospital at Home physical and occupational therapy services and to see the positive impact that being in her home environment had on her mental well-being. It was a privilege to see her making such meaningful progress in an environment where she felt comfortable and supported.”

Carrier’s infection improved through the antibiotics and she was discharged after eight days.

“Who doesn’t want to be home?” Carrier said. “I was feeling better and was getting treatment and good food. I was still not myself from being on antibiotics, but to be at home with familiar surroundings made me feel better. It was just a comfort to be here.”

She was also excited to be the first patient in the program at Baptist South.

“I tell everyone who listens. I’m more than pleased,” she said. “It’s incredible and that it started the day I needed it.”

While no longer dealing with an infection, Carrier continues to be treated for her wounds through the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at Baptist South.

Now, the retired fashion jewelry wholesale business owner is looking forward to more visits with her family, grandkids and a new great grandbaby.

“I’m now a great grandmother so I’m hoping now that I’m home to see the grandkids more,” she said.

To learn more about Baptist Hospital at Home, go to BaptistJax.com/HaH.