Hospital-at-home for COPD exacerbations : evaluation of a community-based early assisted discharge scheme

COPD is a lung condition with temporary exacerbations that lead to hospitalization in 20% of the cases. To limit the unfavourable effects of these hospitalizations for both patients and society, studies were carried out to investigate if part of the treatment can take place at home with home care support. This research shows that both short-term and long-term there are no differences in health outcomes for the patient and also the costs are the same. Many patients, in fact, prefer to be treated at home over hospitalization. Patients should therefore be allowed to choose whether they want to be treated in the hospital of undergo part of their treatment at home.