Assessing the Expected Costs of Continuous Remote Monitoring for Post-Discharge Home Use and the Readmission Reduction Required to Achieve Cost Neutrality.

BACKGROUND/

objectiveHospital-level care at home is gaining traction, but evidence on health economic implications remains limited. The aim of this study was to estimate expected costs of continuous remote monitoring of vital signs in the post-discharge setting, to assess the burden of readmissions among relevant patient groups, and to compare monitoring costs with the potential savings from reduced readmissions. The study was conducted from a restricted societal perspective within the Danish healthcare system.

methodsThe costs of 3-day post-discharge home monitoring were estimated using a micro-costing approach based on the WARD-Home project. The analysis excluded healthcare costs incurred outside the hospital sector or beyond the 3-day period. Readmission rates, length of stay, and associated costs were analyzed using Danish registry data on patients potentially suitable for post-discharge monitoring but currently not receiving it.

resultsEstimated per-patient costs of 3-day monitoring were EUR 159. Registry data showed an overall 3-day readmission rate of 1.7%, with average length of stay of 4.4 days, and costs of EUR 4674. Comparing average costs of readmissions within 3 days-corresponding to monitoring duration-with the monitoring costs indicated that if post-discharge monitoring reduces readmissions, cost-neutrality could be achieved if it prevents one readmission in every 29 patients monitored.

conclusionsContinuous remote monitoring offers a solution to post-discharge patients at risk of short-term deterioration and readmission. If one readmission is prevented per every 29 patients monitored, the approach has the potential to achieve cost-neutrality. Future studies are needed to validate these estimates and determine whether reductions in readmissions and actual cost savings can be achieved in practice.