Hospital-at-Home Expands Hospital Capacity During COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Healthcare Management
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic strained hospital resources globally.
• Tertiary hospitals faced challenges in managing patient surges and preventing healthcare-associated infections.
• Alternative care models were needed to optimize inpatient bed availability and patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation and outcomes of a COVID-19-specific Hospital-at-Home program.
• To assess the impact of the program on hospital bed capacity and transmission risk.
• To determine the suitability of mild to moderate COVID-19 cases for home-based care.

Main Methods:

• A COVID-19 Hospital-at-Home program was established in a 400-bed tertiary hospital.
• Senior or immune-compromised physicians supervised patient care remotely.
• Mild cases from emergency departments or post-discharge were eligible for the program.

Main Results:

• The Hospital-at-Home program more than doubled available inpatient beds.
• The initiative significantly decreased transmission risks for patients and healthcare professionals.
• Over half of the patients admitted had pneumonia, with only 6% requiring inpatient transfer.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 Hospital-at-Home model is effective in managing patient surges and reducing transmission.
• This approach provides valuable insights for developing similar initiatives during pandemics or for routine care.
• Successful implementation requires standardized protocols and physician oversight for optimal patient outcomes.