Research: Surgical Care at Home for All Ages

Surgical interventions for older adults are increasing, presenting a growing use case for care at home.

Our latest study, presented alongside our collaboration partners at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh (WWL) NHS Foundation Trust at the British Geriatric Society’s POPS meeting, illustrates how inpatient-equivalent care at home, powered by Best Buy Health, can transform perioperative care for both older (65+ years) and younger (<65 years) patients.

This innovative approach delivers surgical and medical care at home, offering similar positive operational and clinical outcomes for all age groups.

Key Finding:

Both older and younger patients cared for on a Virtual Ward showed equally favorable clinical and operational results, despite older patients traditionally having a higher perioperative risk.

Highlights:

1. Equal Outcomes: Patients aged 65+ and under 65 experienced comparable recovery metrics, demonstrating the safety and efficacy of care at home across age groups.
2. No Adverse Events: No significant difference in hospital returns or adverse events between the groups.
3. Home Care Advantage: Bed days saved, reduced hospital readmissions, and strong adherence to wearable technology supported positive outcomes for all patients.

This study, conducted at Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, offers compelling evidence that Virtual Wards are an effective model for safe, remote post-surgical care for patients of all ages.

Download the full report to explore the detailed findings and see how care at home can reshape the future of surgical recovery.