Rural Hospital-at-Home Programs Thrive, Offering Safe Cost-Effective Care
chiefhealthcareexecutive.com
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
A recent study by Mass General Brigham and Ariadne Labs has demonstrated that hospital-at-home programs can effectively serve rural communities, yielding strong patient outcomes and lower costs. Conducted with 161 adults across three rural hospitals, the research showed that patients receiving home care had comparable safety and readmission rates to those treated in traditional settings, with early transfers to home care leading to improved mobility. The notable increase in patient satisfaction also highlights the potential benefits of these programs in enhancing the quality of care in underserved areas. This suggests that healthcare technology can play a vital role in addressing access gaps, particularly in rural healthcare delivery.