Home care after intensive care unit-discharge: global differences

Abstract

Significant physical and neuropsychiatric challenges, diminished life quality, and heightened demand for healthcare services often mark the period following discharge from the intensive care unit and hospitalization. Most follow-up care for these patients relies on clinic-based models, necessitating visits to healthcare facilities for rehabilitation and continued monitoring. However, this approach can create barriers for the most severely affected individuals, potentially worsening health inequities. In contrast, home care offers a viable solution by providing essential social support and assistance to patients with varying healthcare needs, allowing them to preserve their independence within the familiar environment of their own homes and communities. This model presents a promising alternative to the conventional clinic-based post-intensive care unit recovery system. It is cost-effective and better aligned with the preferences of an increasing number of individuals who choose to stay at home rather than move to institutional settings for care.