Empowering Acute Care at Home with Smart Healthcare: NCKU Hospital’s Tech Integration and Clinical Practice
HSIU-HUA LI, Division Director, Community Healthcare Center
Acute Care at Home (ACAH) is a pilot program under National Health Insurance (NHI), officially launched in July 2024 in response to the country’s super-aged society. The home care team at National Cheng Kung University Hospital (NCKUH) —comprising physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and radiographers—provides integrated medical and long-term care services to patients with acute conditions.
NCKUH utilizes smart medical devices, including POCT (Point-of-Care Testing) blood analyzers, to provide real-time results for biochemical, blood, and CRP values; portable imaging equipment (Portable X-ray and Portable Ultrasound) enables chest X-rays and ultrasound examinations to be performed at home, capturing high-quality images for immediate diagnostic evaluation. This is complemented by telemedicine video conferencing equipment and a remote vital sign monitoring care package, which includes physiological sensors for ECG, blood oxygen levels, body temperature, and blood pressure. Bedside Internet of Things (IoT) devices transmit measurement data to the hospital platform, and the remote system automatically monitors physiological data. The system immediately alerts the medical team when abnormal or critical values are detected, ensuring continuous patient monitoring.
As of February 2026, the remission and cure rate for enrolled cases was approximately 93%, the rate of emergency room transfers within three days was less than 8%, and family satisfaction with the smart remote care package reached 94%.
By leveraging advanced medical equipment and technology to strengthen the home care model, NCKU Hospital enables patients to receive high-quality treatment in a familiar, safe environment. This approach not only improves clinical outcomes but also alleviates the burden on hospital capacity.
