An audit of patients admitted for home intravenous therapy directly from the emergency department

Abstract

The Hospital in the Home Unit (HHU) provides home intravenous therapy to acute inpatients. The aim of this audit was to assess the practice of accepting patients for home intravenous therapy directly from the emergency department by describing the frequency and type of clinical conditions managed, and recording the outcome and adverse events of such admissions. Consecutive patient admissions to the HHU directly from the emergency department over a 15-month period were included. The policy of accepting patients for home intravenous therapy from the emergency department will continue. Care with diagnosis and HHU assessment is required. Complications should be expected, and a reliable on-call service is essential.