Emergency conditions in home care as part of ambulatory health care

Introduction: Home care represents an important segment of outpatient healthcare and plays an increasingly significant role in managing patients with chronic diseases, reduced functional capacity, and an increased risk of acute exacerbations. Patients receiving home care form a heterogeneous and particularly vulnerable population in whom urgent conditions often present atypically, in settings with limited diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. The objective of this paper is to present the most common urgent conditions in home care and to highlight the specific aspects of their management within the framework of outpatient healthcare. Methods: This paper presents a narrative review of relevant literature and contemporary clinical guidelines related to urgent conditions in home care. Available data on clinical presentation, initial management, as well as organizational and ethical aspects of managing urgent conditions in home settings were analyzed, with a particular focus on the role of home care physicians. Results: The most common urgent conditions in home care include cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, infectious, gastrointestinal, and traumatic conditions. Shared features of these conditions include atypical clinical presentation, rapid progression, and the need for timely involvement of emergency medical services. A specific organizational challenge is the absence of transport functions within home care services, making rational time management and clear coordination with emergency medical services crucial for treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Well-defined protocols, continuous education of healthcare professionals, and improved collaboration between home care services and emergency medical services are essential prerequisites for the safe and efficient management of urgent conditions in home settings. The role of the home care physician is primarily in the early recognition of urgent conditions and the timely referral of patients to the appropriate level of healthcare.