Introduction:

current COVID-19 pandemic is testing healthcare systems at a global level. From General Surgery Department we decided to provide a practical strategy for surgical patients' hospitalization that allowed to treat them as if they were admitted in hospital.

Home Hospitalization is an effective healthcare modality in medical and surgical pathology in which, for a limited time, health practitioners provide active treatment at patient's home.

The aim of this study is to describe our experience of home care hospitalization in surgical patients during the covid-19 pandemic.

Method:

Observational, descriptive, prospective, single-center study. 44 patients admitted to surgical home hospitalization unit from March 11 to May 10 2020. Patients with emergency or elective surgery and surgical patients who required conservative medical treatment or interventionism were included. Epidemiological variables, diagnosis, treatment, mean stay, readmissions rate, complications and mortality were evaluated.

Results:

Mean age 64 years ± 16,7 (23-89). 52% men and 49% women. 23 patients underwent emergency or elective surgery, 12 patients conservative medical treatment, 2 thoracic drainage, 5 percutaneous drainage due to intra-abdominal abscesses and 2 patients with negative pressure therapy for surgical wound healing. Mean hospital stay 8,6 days ± 3,6 (1-19).

Five complications were registered: subocclusion, colo-rectal bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema, lung abscess and a COVID-19 infection. Readmissions rate: 4,5%.

Conclusions:

Home hospitalization is an effective model to decrease or avoid hospital stay in selected patients. It also appears to be as safe as inpatient hospitalization. Combination of short-stay admission and home admission could be a good therapeutic option in surgical patients.

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