Early discharge to hospital at home: Should it be a matter of choice?

Jester, Rebecca

Abstract

In recent years there has been a proliferation of Hospital at Home type schemes which facilitate the early discharge of patients to their own homes following procedures such as total hip and knee replacement. However, there is scant evidence to support their wide spread adoption. Previous studies comparing traditional in-patient rehabilitation versus early discharge to Hospital at Home have generally used a randomised controlled trial approach. Whilst this method is held in high esteem in the academic world this method of evaluation denies patients and their carers' choice. This paper presents an overview of findings from a study comparing these treatment modalities using a quasi-experimental approach affording patients the choice. Results of the study are discussed in the context of patient and carer choice, locus of control, and coping. The development of two simple assessment tools which may assist clinicians in assessing patient and carer suitability for early discharge to Hospital at Home is presented. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Jester, R. (2003). Early discharge to hospital at home: Should it be a matter of choice?. Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing, 7(2), 64-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1361-3111%2803%2900003-7

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2003
• Journal: Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing
• Print ISSN: 1361-3111
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 64-69
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1361-3111%2803%2900003-7
• Keywords: hospital at home, patient choice, joint replacements, early discharge, informal carers
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1070263
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1361-3111(03)00003-7