UPDATE: A groundbreaking study reveals that home hospital care is transforming health outcomes for rural patients in the United States and Canada. Just published in JAMA Network Open, the research from Mass General Brigham and Ariadne Labs shows that patients with acute conditions can receive hospital-level care at home, significantly enhancing their experiences and physical activity.
With over 150 rural hospital closures since 2010, access to healthcare in these areas has become increasingly challenging. Patients often face travel difficulties and high costs, leading to poorer health outcomes. Dr. David Levine, Clinical Director at Mass General Brigham Healthcare at Home, stated, “Hospital-level care delivered in patients’ homes has improved healthcare delivery in urban settings but may fill an even greater need in rural areas.”
The randomized controlled trial involved 161 adults requiring inpatient care for conditions like infections and heart failure. Participants were recruited from Blessing Hospital in Illinois, Hazard Appalachian Regional Healthcare in Kentucky, and Wetaskiwin Hospital in Canada. They were assigned to either traditional hospital care or innovative home hospital care, which included twice-daily in-home visits from nurses and paramedics, alongside daily remote consultations with a physician.
Innovative technologies played a crucial role in the trial, enabling effective monitoring at home. A wireless sticker replaced traditional telemetry systems, and compact infusion pumps allowed intravenous treatments to be delivered without cumbersome equipment. Remarkably, the study found that costs were 27% lower for patients who were transitioned home after less than three days in traditional hospital care.
In terms of health outcomes, patients receiving home care were less sedentary, averaging 700 more steps per day compared to those in traditional settings. They also reported an impressive satisfaction rate, with a net promoter score of 88.4—almost double that of hospital counterparts, who scored 45.5.
As the healthcare crisis in rural areas intensifies, the researchers are exploring how home hospital care can be further optimized. Plans are underway to develop a mobile clinic housed in an electric vehicle to deliver hospital-level care directly to underserved communities.
Dr. Levine emphasized the potential for this model to reshape healthcare in rural areas: “We hope others can use this research to take action in their communities because we have seen that when patients desire certain models of care, those models come to fruition.”
This urgent development is not just a technical innovation; it represents a significant shift in how healthcare can be delivered in regions where traditional models are failing. With continued analysis of patient experiences and outcomes, the future of rural healthcare could become more accessible and effective than ever before.
Stay tuned for further updates on this transformative approach to healthcare and its implications for rural communities.
