Headline
Comprehensive report on patient outcomes and implementation information from national hospital at home initiative.
Background
This report examines outcomes and lessons from hospitals providing hospital at home services under the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative, including related to: (1) patient participants; (2) demographic and clinical details about participants; (3) outcomes on quality measures as compared to brick-and-mortar hospital care; and (4) beneficiary and caregiver experience.
Findings
Most patients receiving care through the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative were treated for respiratory, circulatory, and renal conditions, as well as infectious diseases. Outcomes for patients receiving hospital at home services (as compared with brick-and-mortar care) included lower mortality rates and mixed outcomes on readmissions, related to the conditions treated. The hospital at home group had a slightly longer “length of stay” but lower Medicare spending in the 30-day period following completion of the program.
Policy/Program Takeaways
This evaluation offers promising evidence on the impact of the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative. Results can inform policymakers interested in extending coverage for this and similar hospital at home models. It can also support other stakeholders interested in implementing or refining approaches to delivering hospital at home services.