Hospital-Level Care at Home Patients Remain at Home Longer Following Acute Illness: A Literature Review.

Abstract

Hospital-level care at home (HCaH) is a modern alternative to traditional inpatient hospitalization (TIH) for acutely ill adults which is cost-effective without impacting patient mortality. Additional outcomes comparing HCaH and TIH have been studied including hospital readmission and post-acute care admission. There is convincing evidence that suggests a trend in the reduction of readmissions following acute hospitalization in the home. Additionally, post-acute care admissions have been significantly reduced following HCaH compared to TIH. The concept of a home hospital allows patients to remain home during acute illness and stay at home longer following discharge, thereby avoiding the need for hospital readmission and post-acute care placement. This research is increasingly important to the aging population in the United States that seeks a safe and beneficial alternative to overwhelmed medical facilities.