The effect of home visits on healthcare resource utilisation

Home visits may change patients' healthcare resource utilisation, including hospital admission, medications, outpatient and emergency room visits. The aim of the present study was to report changes in healthcare resource utilisation after the provision of home healthcare services.

This was a multicentre follow-up study. Data on health and functional statuses were collected during home visits. Electronic medical records of 12 medical institutions were retrieved (outpatient visits, emergency care use, hospital admissions and prescription medications). The researchers analysed healthcare utilisation and medications before and after enrolment.

There were 246 participants. The mean age was 85.5 years (52% men). There was an increase in annual outpatient visits and a decrease in hospital admission days after enrolment (13.7-15.3 visits/year and 17.5-15 days/year, respectively). The number of medical institutions visited increased, but specialties and doctors visited decreased. Oral medications also increased (3.3-4.3 types).

Home visits help decrease days of hospital admission, but not medications or outpatient or emergency room visits.