The value of admission avoidance: cost-consequence analysis of one-year activity in a consolidated service.

BACKGROUND: Many advantages of hospital at home (HaH), as a modality of acute care, have been highlighted, but controversies exist regarding the cost-benefit trade-offs. The objective is to assess health outcomes and analytical costs of hospital avoidance (HaH-HA) in a consolidated service with over ten years of delivery of HaH in Barcelona (Spain). METHODS: A retrospective cost-consequence analysis of all first episodes of HaH-HA, directly admitted from the emergency room (ER) in 2017-2018, was carried out with a health system perspective. HaH-HA was compared with a propensity-score-matched group of contemporary patients admitted to conventional hospitalization (Controls). Mortality, re-admissions, ER visits, and direct healthcare costs were evaluated. RESULTS: HaH-HA and Controls (n = 441 each) were comparable in terms of age (73 [SD16] vs. 74 [SD16]), gender (male, 57% vs. 59%), multimorbidity, healthcare expenditure during the previous year, case mix index of the acute episode, and main diagnosis at discharge. HaH-HA presented lower mortality during the episode (0 vs. 19 (4.3%); p < 0.001). At 30 days post-discharge, HaH-HA and Controls showed similar re-admission rates; however, ER visits were lower in HaH-HA than in Controls (28 (6.3%) vs. 34 (8.1%); p = 0.044). Average costs per patient during the episode were lower in the HaH-HA group (€ 1,078) than in Controls (€ 2,171). Likewise, healthcare costs within the 30 days post-discharge were also lower in HaH-Ha than in Controls (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed higher performance and cost reductions of HaH-HA in a real-world setting. The identification of sources of savings facilitates scaling of hospital avoidance. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (26/04/2017; NCT03130283).

Effectiveness and Safety of Postoperative Hospital at Home for Surgical Patients: A Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a Hospital at Home (HaH) enabled early transfer pathways for surgical patients. BACKGROUND: HaH serves as a safe alternative to traditional hospitalization by providing acute care to patients in their homes through a comprehensive range of hospital-level interventions. To our knowledge, no studies have been published to date reporting a large cohort of early home-transferred patients after surgery through a HaH unit. METHODS: Cohort study enrolling every patient admitted to the HaH unit of a tertiary hospital who underwent any of 6 surgeries with a predefined early transfer pathway and fitting both general and surgery inclusion criteria (clinical and hemodynamic stability, uncomplicated surgery, presence of a caregiver, among others) from November 2021 to May 2023. Protocols were developed for each pathway between surgical services and HaH to deliver the usual postoperative care in the home setting. Discharge was decided according to protocol. An urgent escalation pathway was also established. RESULTS: During the study period, 325 patients were included: 141 were bariatric surgeries, 85 kidney transplants, 45 thoracic surgeries, 37 cystectomies, 10 appendicectomies, and 7 ventral hernia repairs. The overall escalation of care during HaH occurred in 7.3% of patients and 30-day readmissions in 7%. Most adverse events were managed at home and the overall mortality was zero. The total mean length of stay was 8 days (interquartile range 2-14), and patients with HaH were transferred home 3 days (interquartile range 1-6) earlier than the usual pathway; a total of 1551 bed-days were saved. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of early home transfer pathways for surgical patients through HaH is feasible and effective, with favorable safety outcomes.

Hospital at home treatment with remdesivir for patients with COVID-19: real-life experience.

OBJECTIVES: Access and appropriateness of therapeutics for COVID-19 vary because of access or regulatory barriers, the severity of the disease, and for some therapies, the stage of the pandemic and circulating variants. Remdesivir has shown benefits in clinical recovery and is the treatment of choice for selected patients, both hospitalized and nonhospitalized, in main international guidelines. The use of remdesivir in alternatives to conventional hospitalization such as hospital at home (HaH) units remains incompletely explored. In this study, we aim to describe the real-life experience of outpatient remdesivir infusion for COVID-19 in a HaH unit. METHODS: We selected all the consecutive patients receiving remdesivir from a prospective cohort of 507 COVID-19 patients admitted at a HaH unit. Admission criteria included COVID-19 with a fraction of inspired oxygen requirement under 0.35 and respiratory rate under 22 rpm. Patients were daily assessed in person by a nurse and a physician. RESULTS: A total of 236 patients admitted at the HaH unit received remdesivir, 172 of whom were treated at home. Only 2% presented any adverse event related to the infusion, all of them mild. HaH saved 1416 day-beds, with only 5% of the patients requiring transfer back to the hospital. CONCLUSION: Remdesivir infusion in HaH units seems to be a safe and efficient alternative to conventional hospitalization for treating patients with nonsevere COVID-19.

Prospective cohort study for assessment of integrated care with a triple aim approach: hospital at home as use case.

BACKGROUND: Applicability of comprehensive assessment of integrated care services in real world settings is an unmet need. To this end, a Triple Aim evaluation of Hospital at Home (HaH), as use case, was done. As ancillary aim, we explored use of the approach for monitoring the impact of adoption of integrated care at health system level in Catalonia (Spain). METHODS: Prospective cohort study over one year period, 2017-2018, comparing hospital avoidance (HaH-HA) with conventional hospitalization (UC) using propensity score matching. Participants were after the first episode directly admitted to HaH-HA or the corresponding control group. Triple Aim assessment using multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was done. Moreover, applicability of a Triple Aim approach at health system level was explored using registry data. RESULTS: HaH-HA depicted lower: i) Emergency Room Department (ER) visits (p < .001), ii) Unplanned re-admissions (p = .012); and iii) costs (p < .001) than UC. The weighted aggregation of the standardized values of each of the eight outcomes, weighted by the opinions of the stakeholder groups considered in the MCDA: i) enjoyment of life; ii) resilience; iii) physical functioning; iv) continuity of care; v) psychological wellbeing; (vi) social relationships & participation; (vii) person-centeredness; and (viii) costs, indicated better performance of HaH-HA than UC (p < .05). Actionable factors for Triple Aim assessment of the health system with a population-health approach were identified. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed health value generation of HaH-HA. The study identified actionable factors to enhance applicability of Triple Aim assessment at health system level for monitoring the impact of adoption of integrated care. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (26/04/2017; NCT03130283).

Actualización 2021 de la Guía Española de la EPOC (GesEPOC). Tratamiento no farmacológico / Spanish COPD Guidelines (GesEPOC 2021): Non-pharmacological Treatment Update

La nueva edición de 2021 de la Guía Española de la EPOC (GesEPOC 2021) propone, junto al tratamiento farmacológico ajustado por estratificación de riesgo y fenotipo, el abordaje personalizado de los rasgos tratables, definidos como una característica (clínica, fisiológica o biológica) que se puede identificar mediante pruebas diagnósticas o biomarcadores y que tiene un tratamiento específico. Existen algunos rasgos tratables que tienen un tratamiento no farmacológico y que no fueron contemplados en detalle en la guía, como puede ser la desnutrición, el sedentarismo, el enfisema o la insuficiencia respiratoria. En este capítulo de GesEPOC 2021 se presenta una actualización narrativa con recomendaciones sobre tratamiento dietético, actividad física, rehabilitación respiratoria, oxigenoterapia, ventilación no invasiva, reducción de volumen y trasplante pulmonar. Además, se incluye una pregunta PICO con recomendación sobre el uso de oxígeno suplementario durante el ejercicio en pacientes con EPOC sin hipoxemia grave. (AU)

In addition to recommendations for pharmacological treatment stratified for risk and phenotype, the new 2021 edition of the Spanish COPD Guidelines (GesEPOC 2021) proposes a personalized approach to treatable traits, defined as a characteristic (clinical, physiological, or biological) that can be identified by diagnostic tests or biomarkers, for which a specific treatment is available. Some treatable traits, such as malnutrition, sedentarism, emphysema or respiratory failure, can be treated with non-pharmacological therapies, and this was not covered in detail in the guidelines. This section of GesEPOC 2021 includes a narrative update with recommendations on dietary treatment, physical activity, respiratory rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation, volume reduction, and lung transplantation. A PICO question with recommendations on the use of supplemental oxygen during exercise in COPD patients without severe hypoxemia is also included. (AU)

[Translated article] Spanish COPD Guidelines (GesEPOC 2021): Non-pharmacological Treatment Update / Actualización 2021 de la Guía Española de la EPOC (GesEPOC). Tratamiento no farmacológico

In addition to recommendations for pharmacological treatment stratified for risk and phenotype, the new 2021 edition of the Spanish COPD Guidelines (GesEPOC 2021) proposes a personalized approach to treatable traits, defined as a characteristic (clinical, physiological, or biological) that can be identified by diagnostic tests or biomarkers, for which a specific treatment is available. Some treatable traits, such as malnutrition, sedentarism, emphysema or respiratory failure, can be treated with non-pharmacological therapies, and this was not covered in detail in the guidelines. This section of GesEPOC 2021 includes a narrative update with recommendations on dietary treatment, physical activity, respiratory rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation, lung volume reduction, and lung transplantation. A PICO question with recommendations on the use of supplemental oxygen during exercise in COPD patients without severe hypoxemia is also included. (AU)

La nueva edición de 2021 de la Guía Española de la EPOC (GesEPOC 2021) propone, junto al tratamiento farmacológico ajustado por estratificación de riesgo y fenotipo, el abordaje personalizado de los rasgos tratables, definidos como una característica (clínica, fisiológica o biológica) que se puede identificar mediante pruebas diagnósticas o biomarcadores y que tiene un tratamiento específico. Existen algunos rasgos tratables que tienen un tratamiento no farmacológico y que no fueron contemplados en detalle en la guía, como puede ser la desnutrición, el sedentarismo, el enfisema o la insuficiencia respiratoria. En este capítulo de GesEPOC 2021 se presenta una actualización narrativa con recomendaciones sobre tratamiento dietético, actividad física, rehabilitación respiratoria, oxigenoterapia, ventilación no invasiva, reducción de volumen y trasplante pulmonar. Además, se incluye una pregunta PICO con recomendación sobre el uso de oxígeno suplementario durante el ejercicio en pacientes con EPOC sin hipoxemia grave. (AU)

Spanish COPD Guidelines (GesEPOC 2021): Non-pharmacological Treatment Update. / Actualización 2021 de la Guía Española de la EPOC (GesEPOC). Tratamiento no farmacológico.

In addition to recommendations for pharmacological treatment stratified for risk and phenotype, the new 2021 edition of the Spanish COPD Guidelines (GesEPOC 2021) proposes a personalized approach to treatable traits, defined as a characteristic (clinical, physiological, or biological) that can be identified by diagnostic tests or biomarkers, for which a specific treatment is available. Some treatable traits, such as malnutrition, sedentarism, emphysema or respiratory failure, can be treated with non-pharmacological therapies, and this was not covered in detail in the guidelines. This section of GesEPOC 2021 includes a narrative update with recommendations on dietary treatment, physical activity, respiratory rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation, volume reduction, and lung transplantation. A PICO question with recommendations on the use of supplemental oxygen during exercise in COPD patients without severe hypoxemia is also included.

A Prospective Cohort of SARS-CoV-2-Infected Health Care Workers: Clinical Characteristics, Outcomes, and Follow-up Strategy.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks, health care workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of infection. Strategies to reduce in-hospital transmission between HCWs and to safely manage infected HCWs are lacking. Our aim was to describe an active strategy for the management of COVID-19 in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected HCWs and investigate its outcomes. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of SARS-CoV-2-infected health care workers in a tertiary teaching hospital in Barcelona, Spain, was performed. An active strategy of weekly polymerase chain reaction screening of HCWs for SARS-CoV-2 was established by the Occupational Health department. Every positive HCW was admitted to the Hospital at Home Unit with daily assessment online and in-person discretionary visits. Clinical and epidemiological data were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 590 HCWs included in the cohort, 134 (22%) were asymptomatic at diagnosis, and 15% (89 patients) remained asymptomatic during follow-up. A third of positive cases were detected during routine screening. The most frequent symptoms were cough (68%), hyposmia/anosmia (49%), and fever (41%). Ten percent of the patients required specific treatment at home, while only 4% of the patients developed pneumonia. Seventeen patients required a visit to the outpatient clinic for further evaluation, and 6 of these (1%) required hospital admission. None of the HCWs included in this cohort required intensive care unit admission or died. CONCLUSIONS: Active screening for SARS-CoV-2 among HCWs for early diagnosis and stopping in-hospital transmission chains proved efficacious in our institution, particularly due to the high percentage of asymptomatic HCWs. Follow-up of HCWs in Hospital at Home units is safe and effective, with low rates of severe infection and readmission.

Hospital at home for the management of COVID-19: preliminary experience with 63 patients.

Alternatives to conventional hospitalization are needed to increase health systems resilience in the face of COVID-19 pandemic. Herein, we describe the characteristics and outcomes of 63 patients admitted to a single HaH during the peak of COVID-19 in Barcelona. Our results suggest that HaH seems to be a safe and efficacious alternative to conventional hospitalization for accurately selected patients with COVID-19.

Health Outcomes from Home Hospitalization: Multisource Predictive Modeling.

BACKGROUND: Home hospitalization is widely accepted as a cost-effective alternative to conventional hospitalization for selected patients. A recent analysis of the home hospitalization and early discharge (HH/ED) program at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona over a 10-year period demonstrated high levels of acceptance by patients and professionals, as well as health value-based generation at the provider and health-system levels. However, health risk assessment was identified as an unmet need with the potential to enhance clinical decision making. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to generate and assess predictive models of mortality and in-hospital admission at entry and at HH/ED discharge. METHODS: Predictive modeling of mortality and in-hospital admission was done in 2 different scenarios: at entry into the HH/ED program and at discharge, from January 2009 to December 2015. Multisource predictive variables, including standard clinical data, patients' functional features, and population health risk assessment, were considered. RESULTS: We studied 1925 HH/ED patients by applying a random forest classifier, as it showed the best performance. Average results of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC; sensitivity/specificity) for the prediction of mortality were 0.88 (0.81/0.76) and 0.89 (0.81/0.81) at entry and at home hospitalization discharge, respectively; the AUROC (sensitivity/specificity) values for in-hospital admission were 0.71 (0.67/0.64) and 0.70 (0.71/0.61) at entry and at home hospitalization discharge, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed potential for feeding clinical decision support systems aimed at supporting health professionals for inclusion of candidates into the HH/ED program, and have the capacity to guide transitions toward community-based care at HH discharge.

Implementation of Home Hospitalization and Early Discharge as an Integrated Care Service: A Ten Years Pragmatic Assessment.

Home Hospitalization has proven efficacy, but its effectiveness and potential as an Integrated Care Service in a real world setting deserves to be explored. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate implementation and 10 years follow-up of Home Hospitalization and Early Discharge as an Integrated Care Service in an urban healthcare district in Barcelona. METHODS: Prospective study with pragmatic assessment. Patients: Surgical and medical acute and exacerbated chronic patients requiring admission into a highly specialized hospital, from 2006 to 2015. Intervention: Home-based individualized care plan, administered as a hospital-based outreach service, aiming at substituting hospitalization and implementing a transitional care strategy for optimal discharge. Main measurements: Emergency Department, readmissions and mortality. Patients' and professionals' perspectives, technologies and costs were evaluated. RESULTS: 4,165 admissions (71 ± 15 yrs; Charlson Index 4 ± 3). In-hospital stay was 1 (0-3) days and the length of home-based stay was 6 (5-7) days. The 30-day readmission rate was 11% and mortality was 2%. Patients, careers and health professionals expressed high levels of satisfaction (98%). At the start, the service was reimbursed at a flat rate of 918€ per patient discharged, significantly lower than conventional hospitalization (2,879€) but still allowing the hospital to keep a balanced budget. At present, there is no difference in the payment schemes for both types of services. CONCLUSIONS: The service freed an average of 6 in-hospital days per patient. The program showed health value generation, as well as potential for synergies with community-based Integrated Care Services.