[AVBC 2025] NCIS@Home: Pilot Implementation of an Oncology Hospital-at-Home Programme
Care Continuum
Care Process & Redesign
Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference
National University Health System
10 November 2025
To implement and evaluate the NCIS@Home oncology Hospital-at-Home programme for cancer patients. NCIS@Home is a safe and feasible option for cancer patient care, associated with hospital bed capacity savings at no increased cost.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 10 November 2025
Tags: Care Continuum, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Intermediate and Long Term Care ＆ Community Care, Productivity, Cost Saving, Access To Care, Bed Occupancy Rate
About this Content
Aims
To implement and evaluate the NCIS@Home oncology Hospital-at-Home programme for cancer patients.
Background
Hospital-at-Home (HaH) is an acute clinical service that provides hospital-level care at home. While it has shown comparable outcomes to inpatient care, it has not been structured for cancer patients, limiting its uptake and safety information.
Methods
Patients admitted under NCIS in February 2025 were screened for HaH eligibility within 24 hours of admission. Eligibility criteria included not being from a nursing home, having a NEWS score of 4, and no planned specialty referrals or scans. Suitable patients' care teams were notified and encouraged to refer to HaH.
Results
25% of 136 patients screened were eligible; 9 were enrolled. Enrolment improved to 6.6% with proactive screening. 30-day readmission rates were lower in enrolled patients (12.5%) compared to non-enrolled (32%). No mortality was noted. 61 inpatient bed-days were saved.
Conclusion
NCIS@Home is a safe and feasible option for cancer patient care, associated with hospital bed capacity savings at no increased cost. Further validation with larger patient numbers is required.
Lessons Learnt
Addressing barriers such as physicians' perceptions and caregiver concerns may improve uptake. A qualitative study is underway to understand these perspectives.
Keywords
Oncology, Hospital-at-Home, Cancer, Patient Care, Screening
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National University Health System |
Organization(s) Involved | National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System |
Platform(s) | Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Oncology |
Project Lead(s) | Yi Qing Tey |
Project Member(s) | Adena Peh |
Connect with this contributor!
Tey Yi Qing - yiqing.tey@mohh.com.sg
Project Attachment
479_NCIS_AVBC_2025_NCIS_Home_Pilot_Implementation_of_an_Oncology_Hospital_at_Home_Programme.pdf