HepHospital: A Pilot Trial of a Hepatology Home Hospital Intervention for Patients With Advanced Liver Disease

HepHospital: A Pilot Trial of a Hepatology Home Hospital Intervention for Patients With Advanced Liver Disease

This research study is evaluating a program that entails a healthcare at home intervention for people with advanced liver disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adult patients ≥ 18 years old with diagnosis of cirrhosis based on histology, radiology, and/or elastography presenting to the emergency department or inpatient general medicine service

2. Patients must have one of the following:

   1. Ascites (requiring diuretics or serial large volume paracenteses)
   2. Hepatic hydrothorax (requiring diuretics)
   3. Hepatic encephalopathy (requiring medications)

Exclusion Criteria: All existing MGB home hospital criteria apply, with the following taking precedent for this specific condition

1. History of solid organ transplantation
2. On hemodialysis
3. MELD score > 20
4. Score <10 on Simplified Animal Naming Test (S-ANT1)
5. Current admission for hemodynamically significant GI bleeding or alcohol withdrawal
6. Require routine administration of controlled substances
7. Those deemed ineligible based on the MGH Home Hospital, inpatient medicine or hepatology clinician evaluation