Abstract
Hospitals as institutions providing care for the sick have been in existence over the past 2500 years and are ever evolving. Global demographic trends in population ageing is posing unprecedented challenges to hospital care with increasing demands for hospital occupancy and escalating health care costs. Although hospital care has been reformed in the recent past with many technological advancements and improvements in patient care, overcrowding of hospitals is happening world over. Longevity with multi-morbidity makes elderly populations more susceptible to frequent hospital admissions and prolonged hospital stays which adds heavily to health care budgets. Caring for people in their own homes, the concept of “Hospital at Home” is becoming increasingly popular in many countries in the world. This article explores various Hospital at Home programs and their success and challenges.
Highlights
In Sri Lanka, hospital care was established over 2000 years ago, according to available evidence as stated in the Mahavamsa[1]
Patient on entry to the emergency room is assessed by the Hospital at Home (HAH) team with regard to the medical condition and the suitability of home background
HAH will facilitate well planned early discharge to the homes supported by community nurses and doctors for continuity of care thereby reducing the average length of hospital stay
Summary
In Sri Lanka, hospital care was established over 2000 years ago, according to available evidence as stated in the Mahavamsa[1]. The history of hospitals runs back to over 2500 years ago as they evolved over time in ancient Greece and Rome[2] The older people in particular when hospitalized for a medical condition, can contract hospital acquired infections and develop complications such as falls and delirium This gives rise to escalating costs both to the patient and the health care system and eventually, the quality of life of the patients and families declines. Review to be in their familiar surroundings which definitely improves their mobility and sense of wellbeing In this program, patient on entry to the emergency room is assessed by the HAH team with regard to the medical condition (acute pneumonia, acute gastroenteritis, uncomplicated heart failure, cellulitis etc.) and the suitability of home background. HAH will facilitate well planned early discharge to the homes supported by community nurses and doctors for continuity of care thereby reducing the average length of hospital stay
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