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April 18, 2026GerontologyOpen Access

Efficacy and Safety of Hospital-at-Home (HaH) Versus Traditional Hospital Care in older Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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Key result

Hospital-at-Home reduces length of stay and healthcare costs versus traditional hospital care in older patients.

  • SMD -0.45
  • 95% CI -0.62 to -0.28
  • P<0.01
  • n=3,301

Why the study?

The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the Hospital-at-Home model compared to traditional hospital care for older patients.

Does the Hospital-at-Home (HaH) model reduce length of stay and readmission rates compared to traditional hospital care in older patients?

Comparison

Hospital-at-Home model vs traditional hospital care

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs

Authors

HHHongyao HeYLYajie LiXihua UniversityYLYaqin Li

Discussion

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Overview

Supports HaH adoption in geriatric care; reinforces safety and cost-effectiveness from meta-analysis of RCTs.

Key Points

  • This review assesses the effectiveness and safety of Hospital-at-Home care compared to traditional hospital care for older patients.
  • Conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
  • Searched multiple databases for relevant studies up to April 15, 2024
  • Analyzed primary outcomes of length of stay and readmission rates, along with secondary outcomes like mortality and cost
  • HaH group had a significantly shorter length of stay (SMD -0.45) compared to traditional care
  • HaH resulted in lower total healthcare costs (SMD -0.40)
  • Reduced risk of readmissions noted over one, three, and nine months
  • Modest improvements in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scores
  • No significant differences between groups in mortality or adverse events rates

Study Design

Type

Meta-Analysis (n=3,301)

Structured PICO

Does the Hospital-at-Home (HaH) model reduce length of stay and readmission rates compared to traditional hospital care in older patients?

P
Population
3,301 older patients pooled from 11 randomized controlled trials
I
Intervention
Hospital-at-Home (HaH) model
C
Comparator
Traditional hospital care
O
Outcome
Length of stay (LOS) and readmission rates

Main Result

Effect estimate: SMD -0.45 (95% CI -0.62 to -0.28)

p-value: p=< 0.01

Hospital-at-Home is a viable alternative to traditional hospitalization for older patients, significantly reducing length of stay, healthcare costs, and readmission rates without increasing mortality or adverse events.

Cite This Study

He et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in older patients requiring hospital care (n=3,301). Hospital-at-Home (HaH) vs. traditional hospital care was evaluated on length of stay (LOS) (SMD -0.45, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.28, p=< 0.01). Hospital-at-Home significantly reduced length of stay (SMD -0.45; 95% CI -0.62 to -0.28; p<0.01) and healthcare costs compared to traditional hospital care in older patients.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69e321aa40886becb6540c19https://doi.org/10.1159/000551394
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Outcomes Associated With Hospital at Home vs Traditional Inpatient Stay2026
  2. 2Early discharge hospital at home as alternative to routine hospital care for older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis2024 · 23 citations
  3. 3Transforming acute care: a scoping review on the effectiveness, safety and implementation challenges of Hospital-at-Home models.2025 · 6 citations
  4. 4Hospital at Home vs conventional hospitalization: good clinical outcomes with lower cost and nosocomial complications2026
  5. 5Pragmatic Evaluation of a New Hospital at Home Program2025