Using a ‘care hotel’ model, which discharges patients to a specialty hospital hotel after smaller surgeries, can lower costs and shorten patients’ time in the hospital following some elective neuroendovascular interventions. That is according to a study presented recently at the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS) annual meeting (31 July–4 August 2023, San Diego, USA).
As stated in a SNIS press release, rising healthcare costs pose a significant financial burden across the USA—and this has been especially prevalent since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic Florida (Jacksonville, USA) recently tried a new approach: moving patients to a care hotel after surgery.
In a study detailing a single-institutional experience, and in which the safety and feasibility of this care hotel model was evaluated, Mayo Clinic researchers reviewed data for 78 patients who were slated to have elective neuroendovascular interventions, including aneurysm treatments. A total of 42 patients were enrolled, received same-day surgery and were discharged to a care hotel instead of being admitted to the hospital after their procedures.
While staying at the care hotel, patients were monitored by nurses and had immediate access to the on-campus hospital if needed. All patients were discharged home the following day, except for one person with lingering numbness who was hospitalised for two days. Based on economic calculations, this resulted in savings of US$1,500–US$2,600 per procedure. One hospital bed was also saved for other potential patients who required hospitalisation.
Overall, the study authors found this fast-track model to be safe, feasible and cost-effective for qualified patients.
“Using a care hotel can help carefully selected patients reduce their time in the hospital after non-emergency procedures while maintaining high-quality care and outcomes,” said Rabih Tawk (Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, USA). “It is a promising model, as they can save time and money while recovering in a more comfortable place, and the hospitals can keep more beds available for emergency cases.”
