RecruitingNot Applicable

Hospital at Home for Elderly Acute Ill Patients

Denmark849 participantsStarted 2022-06-01

Plain-language summary

Many elderly patients with uncomplicated treatment courses are admitted unnecessarily, which is a burden for the patient and society. Studies show that Hospital at Home (HaH) treatment is an alternative to hospitalization. The patient's risk of delirium, infection and loss of function is reduced when the patient avoids the hospital stay. HaH treatment is expected to be more cost-effective, improve patients' functional abilities and patients' satisfaction. Three municipalities, general practitioners, pre-hospital service and an emergency department (ED) in Central Denmark Region have organized the first HaH treatment model across disciplines and sectors. Specialists in the ED and the municipal acute teams provide HaH treatment for elderly acute ill patients. However, the model has not yet been evaluated. The aim of this study is to optimize the HaH treatment model for elderly acute ill patients. The objective is to increase patient satisfaction and optimize the use of resources in healthcare by avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations that impair and prolong treatment. This study is an open label randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a 1:2 allocation ratio of acute hospital admission versus HaH. During a pilot period, we tested and adapted the patient pathway of HaH to the practical reality, before we start the randomization for the RCT study. We will investigate the clinical effects and health economic consequences of HaH treatment compared with standard hospital treatment.

Who can participate

Age range

65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * The patient should be aged 65 and over * Diagnosed with a stable acute medical conditions e.g. cystitis, erysipelas, pneumonia * The patient should be living in their own home or a nursing home before entering the study * The patient should be residing in one of the three municipalities (Viborg, Skive and Silkeborg) * The patient must have been seen by the GP or the pre-hospital service in the case of disease in question * The patient should speak and understand Danish. * The patient should give informed consent to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * The patient is unable to give written consent * The capacity of the municipal acut team care was fully utilised.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Rate of 30-days re-admission

Timeframe: 30 days period after discharge

Health Related Quality of Life

Timeframe: From inclusion to 3 months follow-up

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05360914

SponsorDefactum, Central Denmark Region

Sponsor typeOTHER_GOV

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-08

Contact for this trial

Camilla Palmhøj Nielsen, Ph.D

+4521621238 camilla.palmhoj@rm.dk

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Cystitis trials