[Effect of home hospitalization in the reduction of traditional hospitalization and frequency of emergencies in heart failure].
OBJECTIVE
Medical care to patients with heart failure (HF) entails high needs in health care and social resources. Hospital at home (HH) is a potentially useful care alternative for these patients.


METHODS
Observational study with 110 elderly patients with non complicated HF admitted to an HH unit. Patients were treated with educational support (clinical, dietetic and pharmacologic) and intensive home follow-up. Conventional hospital admissions and visits to the Emergency Department were analyzed during the 90 days before and after HH.


RESULTS
After HH, conventional hospital admissions decreased by 86% and visits to the Emergency Department by 91%. The mean Barthel Index changed from 74 to 77 (p < 0.05, in all cases). Ninety-six percent of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with HH.


CONCLUSIONS
In elderly patients with non complicated HF, the intervention of an HH unit reduces conventional hospital admissions and the number of visits to the Emergency Department, the personal satisfaction degree is high and the functional capacity does not worsen.
Bechich
S
S
Unitat d'Hospitalització a Domicili, Hospital Sagrat Cor, Barcelona.
Sort Granja
D
D
Arroyo Mateo
X
X
Delás Amat
J
J
Rosell Abaurrea
F
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans