A program of evaluation and research for hospital based home care

A program of evaluation and research has been developed and initiated in a large Hospital Based Home Care Program which principally serves chronically-ill, elderly veterans. Program evaluation is based on data from an automated home care information system developed for this purpose. The information system is based on the Long-Term Health Care Minimum Data Set, a nationally-recommended data set which describes patient demographics and physical and mental health status, and health services provided. Home care and related costs per visit and per patient day have been identified. A proposed, experimental research protocol identifies health status outcomes and health care costs of home care and alternative modes of long-term health care.