Hospital in the Home (HITH) care following autologous stem cell transplantation for lymphoma and multiple myeloma

Background: Advances in outpatient and supportive care and increased pressure on hospital bed usage has led to the investigation of hospital in the home (HITH) management following autologous haematologous stem cell transplantation (AutoHSCT) for patients with multiple myeloma or lymphoma. Design: The Newcastle Mater Hospital Haematology Unit together with the Mater Acute Care Community Service (MACCS) developed a protocol for HITH care following AutoHSCT. Outcomes: Clinical outcomes of the protocol were audited: 40% (13) of patients were suitable candidates for HITH care post transplantation. Of these 84.6% (11) were readmitted to the haematology unit within seven days of discharge from hospital. Conclusion: Our preliminary experience suggests that with adequate infrastructure support and rigorous patient selection this model of care is both safe and feasible. (author abstract)