Hospitalization at home is possible under certain conditions. Find out which ones. Receiving care at home has advantages but also disadvantages. We tell you all about the formalities to be completed and how this device works.
Summary
The principle of hospitalization at home
With this form of hospitalization, receive medical and paramedical care at your home. Depending on your state of health, hospitalization at home can be renewed. To benefit from HAH, you must have a medical prescription and the agreement of your attending physician. This must ensure that your care is taken care of throughout the hospital stay at home. Health insurance pays for this device up to 80% (as for other hospitalizations) or at 100% for long-term illnesses.
The care provided by the HAD can be of three different types. It can act:
- occasional care (e.g. chemotherapy);
- rehabilitation care at home after early return (e.g. heart disease, etc.);
- palliative care.
The conditions of hospitalization at home
Regardless of your age, if you have a serious illness, acute or chronic, whether you live at home or in a social institution, you may be able to receive home care.
To qualify for HAD, you must meet these three conditions:
- you are hospitalized and your doctor (hospital or attending physician) considers that your care can be carried out at home;
- your living conditions allow care at home;
- you and your family agree to receive your care at home.
From an administrative point of view, you must also meet certain conditions to benefit from HAD. You must live in a geographical area covered by a HAH structure. Generally, there is at least one per department. This structure must have a place to welcome you. These HAH establishments respect all the obligations of a health establishment from the point of view of safety and quality of care.
Good to know, a social worker will carry out an investigation to determine if your living conditions are in conformity. In general, before any admission to HAD, a healthcare team from the establishment is responsible for assessing your situation. It ensures that taking care of care at your home is possible from a material point of view. When all the conditions are met, the HAD establishment has the essential equipment and supplies delivered to your home. Sometimes, it is about imposing medical equipment (ex.: medicalized bed) requiring a rearrangement of the places. Pharmaceutical products can be delivered to your home by the establishment’s pharmacy or yours.
Know that in case of emergency, there is a protocol. A hotline is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If necessary, the nurse on the phone requests the intervention of the emergency services. On the other hand, some health care establishments offer the displacement of a nurse at home at night.
Hospitalization at home: advantages and disadvantages
Being hospitalized at home with many advantages both for the patient and for the family. No need to make trips or comply with visiting hours. The hospitalized person can lead a normal life with his family. Generally, the people concerned experience hospitalization at home in a very positive way. Relationships with the healthcare team who travel to the home also take on another, more personal dimension.
This form of hospitalization is increasingly popular with hospitalized people. In fact, the HAD is intended for all those insured by social security without distinction of age. On the other hand, the health fields covered have expanded and can now concern perinatal care or psychiatry.
Today, it is proving difficult to obtain a place in a HAD establishment. As the system is mainly located in the big cities, rural people benefit little from hospitalization at home. Supply remains well below demand.
However, the HAD is also beneficial to Social Security. Home care represents an important saving for her. Indeed, the cost of treatment at home is less expensive than a hospital stay.
