The investigators propose a home hospital model of care that substitutes for treatment in an acute care hospital. Limited studies of the home hospital model have demonstrated that a sizeable proportion of acute care can be delivered in the home with equal quality and safety, reduced cost, and improved patient experience.
Resides within either a 5-mile or 20 minute driving radius of emergency department
Has capacity to consent to study OR can assent to study and has proxy who can consent
>= 18 years-old
Can identify a potential caregiver who agrees to stay with patient for first 24 hours of admission. Caregiver must be competent to call care team if a problem is evident to her/him. After 24 hours, this caregiver should be available for as-needed spot checks on the patient. This criterion may be waived for highly competent patients at the patient and clinician's discretion.
Undomiciled
No working heat (October-April), no working air conditioning if forecast > 80°F (June-September), or no running water
On methadone requiring daily pickup of medication
In police custody
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Lead sponsor