Towards new definitions of avoidable hospital admissions

An unscheduled hospital admission often represents a major upheaval, with potential for physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences. Hospital admissions are also associated with an increased risk of adverse consequences to both physical and emotional wellbeing. Hospital care is a necessary, resource-appropriate, and valued part of many acute medical and surgical situations. Yet, in practice, the consequences of the 'admission' and the benefits of the 'intervention' are often hard to disentangle. In the light of the refreshed priorities, it might be time to consider the concept of the focused admission - one that involves the shortest possible stay, with a clearly defined objective that provides 'net benefit' when viewed from the patient perspective. As the specific location of the care becomes less of a focus than the objective, the boundaries between community- and hospital-based care may become less fiercely defended by both sides.