A medical study has concluded that “in-home hospitalization” for the elderly can be both beneficial and cost effective. From the study itself: “Hospital-at-home care was feasible and efficacious in delivering hospital-level care to patients at home. In 2 of 3 sites studied, 69% of patients who were offered hospital-at-home care chose it over acute hospital care; in the third site, 29% of patients chose hospital-at-home care. Although less procedurally oriented than acute hospital care, hospital-at-home care met quality standards at rates similar to those of acute hospital care. On an intention-to-treat basis, patients treated in hospital-at-home had a shorter length of stay (3.2 vs. 4.9 days)and there was some evidence that they also had fewer complications. The mean cost was lower for hospital-at-home care than for acute hospital care ($5081 vs. $7480.
The treatment would involve skilled nursing and a daily visit by a doctor. It would also lesson the risk of secondary hospital infection. This makes a lot of sense. I hope that the powers that be can make it happen.