USA — Cardinal Health has launched a supply chain network and last-mile fulfillment solution, Velocare that is capable of reaching patients in a few hours with critical products and services needed for hospital-level care at home.

Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions, via a tie-up with Medically Home, will now be supporting a Medically Home health system customer with Velocare, thereby collectively enabling scaled, high-acuity care at home.

The latest technology offering, launched as a pilot with Medically Home, is expected to significantly strengthen Cardinal Health’s Medical business.

Early this year, Cardinal Health joined Baxter, Global Medical Response, the Mayo Clinic, and Kaiser Permanente to invest US$110 million in Medically Home.

According to a recent McKinsey & Company study, up to US$265 billion in care services for Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries could be moved to home by 2025 without sacrificing quality or access.

The study also reveals how stakeholders, such as payers, healthcare facilities and physician groups, home-based care providers, technology companies, and investors, can see the significant value in providing patients with care in the comfort of their own homes.

Velocare is expected to combine Cardinal Health’s capabilities into a combined offering aimed at health systems, telehealth providers, and other entities that transport high-acuity care to the home.

The Velocare pilot includes real-time evaluation of technology, service levels, effectiveness, and patient experiences, as well as plans for future market expansion.

Legacy Cardinal Health has global logistics and distribution expertise, manages a large network of suppliers and vendors, and has access to a diverse network of home-based care providers.

The pilot will most likely put new technology, order-handling processes, small-format depots, and short-haul delivery vehicles to the test in order to provide safe and consistent hospital-level care at home.

Patients who have been admitted to traditional hospitals for issues such as severe pneumonia and complicated urinary tract infections, among others, are now more likely to receive hospital-level care in the comfort of their own homes.

Cost savings from reduced overhead and more efficient clinician protocols are two potential advantages of in-home care.

Furthermore, there may be increased safety as a result of a lower risk of hospital-acquired infections and medical errors.

At the same time, Amazon has launched its next venture in health care dubbed Amazon Clinic, a virtual health service that provides convenient, affordable care for common conditions.

Aside from the fact that products and services will be offered to consumers at their homes, there is no direct home-based care angle. However, it may pave the way for additional healthcare use cases in the home.

Amazon Clinic will be available in 32 states and will offer virtual care for more than 20 common health conditions.

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