Characteristics of hospital at home
| The hospital-at-home team is composed of doctors and nurses that are dedicated exclusively (or almost exclusively) to this activity |
| Identification of a specific group of suitable candidates |
| Defined geographical area |
| Hospital at home is feasible only if a competent caregiver assumes the responsibility of care |
| Hospital at home starts only when patients fulfill clinical criteria, live in a geographical area and both patient and caregiver accept home care |
| Hospital-at-home team can visit the patient daily |
| Hospital-at-home team can visit the patient on the day of discharge after hospital admission or a visit to the emergency department |
| Hospital-at-home team care for patients for a short period of time (generally not >10–15 days) |
| There is a report at the end of care (or a joint visit with a general practitioner or community nurses) |
| Hospital-at-home outcomes should be analogous to conventional admission care |
Data from 31.