Possible benefits of hospital at home

For an older population, admission-avoidance hospital at home probably makes little or no difference to the risk of death at 6 months’ follow-up, to the likelihood of being readmitted or requiring inpatient care within 3 to 12 months, and to self-reported health status. Hospital at home probably reduces the likelihood of relocating from home to residential care within 6 months, and it may increase patient satisfaction with healthcare received. Hospital at home probably reduces costs to the health service compared with hospital admission.

Hospital at home, with the option of transfer to hospital, may provide an effective alternative to inpatient care for a select group of older people needing hospital admission.