[AVBC 2025] Hospitalisation at Home for Bariatric Patients in Singapore; Postoperative Care Model; Safe; Cost
Care Continuum
Care Process & Redesign
Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference
National University Health System
17 November 2025
The aim of the study is to assess the clinical and cost outcomes of bariatric surgery patients admitted post-operatively to. HaH is a safe and cost-effective care model for bariatric patients, delivering hospital-level support in the comfort of home.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 17 November 2025
Tags: Care Continuum, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Intermediate and Long Term Care ＆ Community Care, Home Care, Productivity, Cost Saving, Workflow Redesign, Quality Improvement, Access To Care, Readmission Rate
About this Content
Aims
The aim of the study is to assess the clinical and cost outcomes of bariatric surgery patients admitted post-operatively to NUHS@Home, the HaH programme of National University Health System.
Background
The background discusses the traditional requirement for hospitalization in the bariatric surgery recovery process, which contributes to increased bed demand and patient stress. Hospital-at-Home (HaH) offers hospital-level acute care to patients in the comfort of their home, and while it has been reported to be safe and effective among medical patients, its outcomes and cost-effectiveness remain unexplored among surgical patients.
Methods
A retrospective review was conducted to assess the clinical and cost outcomes of bariatric surgery patients admitted post-operatively to NUHS@Home. The HaH data was compared to bariatric patients who were eligible but declined the service and thus received usual inpatient care.
Results
Between August 2023 and April 2025, 39 bariatric surgery patients were enrolled in HaH while 36 patients opted for usual inpatient care. The mean age of the HaH cohort was 39 years. There were 67% females in HaH compared to 61% in the inpatient care group. HaH patients had a lower 30-day readmission rate (2.56% vs 5.55%) compared to inpatient care. The length of stay in the HaH group was 1 day longer (3 days vs 2 days). No major postoperative morbidity was recorded. HaH had a lower average gross hospitalization bill ($18,280.84 vs $19,681.93). In total, HaH created 90 inpatient bed-days capacity.
Conclusion
HaH is a safe and cost-effective care model for bariatric patients, delivering hospital-level support in the comfort of home. As demand for metabolic surgery grows, HaH offers a scalable, patient-centered approach which aligns with Singapores healthcare transformation goals.
Lessons Learnt
The findings suggest that NUHS@Home is a practical alternative to traditional inpatient care for selected bariatric surgery patients. Despite a slightly longer average length of stay (3 vs 2 days), patients managed at home had a lower 30-day readmission rate (2.56% vs 5.55%). HaH also generated cost savings, with a lower average hospitalization bill ($18,280.84 vs $19,681.93), and freed up 90 inpatient bed-days, helping to alleviate pressure on hospital resources.
Keywords
Bariatric, Surgery, Hospitalisation, Cost-Effective, Home Care
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National University Health System |
Organization(s) Involved | National University Hospital, NUHS@Home, National University Health System |
Platform(s) | Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Medical, Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Surgery |
Project Lead(s) | Nur Syafiqah Binte Senin |
Project Member(s) | Low Shi Yun |
Connect with this contributor!
Nur Syafiqah Binte Senin - syafiqah_senin@nuhs.edu.sg