UPDATE: A groundbreaking study has just confirmed the success of home hospital care for rural communities, addressing a critical healthcare crisis affecting millions. Patients in rural areas, who often face significant barriers to accessing traditional hospital care, can now benefit from innovative hospital-level treatment delivered right to their homes.
This study, published in JAMA Network Open, reveals that hospital-level care at home is not only feasible but also significantly improves patient experiences and physical activity levels. Conducted by researchers from Mass General Brigham and Ariadne Labs, the study involved 161 adults requiring inpatient care for acute conditions across hospitals in Illinois, Kentucky, and Canada.
Why This Matters NOW: With over 150 rural hospital closures since 2010, access to quality healthcare in these communities has become increasingly dire. The findings of this trial indicate that delivering care at home could be a game-changer for patients who face long travel times and high costs associated with hospital visits.
Key Findings: Patients were assigned to either traditional hospital care or home hospital care, which included twice-daily visits from nurses and paramedics, along with daily remote consultations with doctors. Remarkably, patients receiving home care reported almost double the satisfaction compared to those treated in hospitals, with a net promoter score of 88.4 versus 45.5.
Additionally, innovative technologies minimized the need for bulky medical equipment. A wireless chest sticker monitored patients continuously, while an ambulatory infusion pump fit conveniently in a fanny pack. The study found that home care was 27% less expensive when patients were transferred home within three days of traditional hospital treatment.
While both groups showed similar readmission rates and no major safety differences, patients receiving home care were significantly more active, averaging 700 more steps per day. This aspect highlights the potential for home hospital care to enhance not only treatment outcomes but also overall well-being.
What Happens Next: Researchers are now exploring the long-term impacts of home hospital care on patient movement and caregiver experiences. They are also developing a mobile clinic, housed in an electric vehicle, aimed at delivering hospital-level care to even the most remote areas in the U.S.
Dr. David Levine, Clinical Director of Research & Development at Mass General Brigham, emphasized the importance of these findings: “Hospital-level care delivered in patients’ homes may fill an even greater need in rural areas, where longer transit times and hospital closures challenge access to high-quality care.”
As healthcare leaders look to adapt and innovate in response to the rural health care crisis, this research could be a vital step toward creating sustainable, cost-effective care solutions, potentially transforming the landscape of rural healthcare.
This urgent update invites healthcare professionals and community leaders to consider the implementation of home hospital programs, which could provide a lifeline to those living in areas with limited access to traditional healthcare facilities.
For more on this study, see: Levine DM et al. Hospital-Level Care at Home for Adults Living in Rural Settings, JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.45712.
Stay tuned for more developments on this critical issue impacting rural health care.
