Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentation. Dr. Fawsitt referred to evidence-based clinical algorithms. I wonder if he could expand on that, on how patients are identified as being suitable for discharge and on how that works within the system. Does he have any figures on how many inpatient bed days this care model has saved? That would be very helpful. He said that the hospital managed the completion of IV antibiotics in order that patients can be discharged early. Is it feasible for IVs to be administered out outside of hospitals in the first instance? I make particular reference to nursing homes and that provision. Has that been explored or has any work been done in that area? The same applies to PEG tubing, catheters, etc. What type of hospital admissions has this service avoided? Does the witness have any figures on that? On the more ambitious term "hospital in the home", could one of our guests expand on what this would entail? It goes back to the community by reducing the number of people entering the hospital setting. I would be very interested in hearing more about the term "hospital in the home".