How to set up ICU at home after hospital discharge

Bringing a patient home on a ventilator or oxygen support can feel overwhelming — here is what actually needs to be in place before discharge day.

Start the planning before discharge, not after

The best home-ICU transitions begin while the patient is still admitted. Ask the treating doctor for a written discharge summary and current care protocol at least 48 hours before the planned discharge date — this gives the home-care team time to match equipment and staffing to the exact clinical picture.

The equipment checklist

• ICU bed with side rails and adjustable height
• Ventilator or BiPAP/CPAP as prescribed
• Multipara monitor for vitals
• Oxygen concentrator or cylinder backup
• Suction machine and nebuliser
• Infusion pumps if IV medication is ongoing

Staffing: what a 24-hour ICU-at-home team looks like

A safe setup typically means two ICU-trained nurses working 12-hour shifts, with a doctor available for daily tele-rounds and emergency escalation. Ask any provider how quickly they can reach the home in an emergency — HOMMACARE's standard is 4–6 hours across most of Delhi NCR.

Before the ambulance arrives

Clear a room with easy access on both sides of the bed, confirm a stable power backup for the ventilator and monitor, and keep the discharge folder (medication list, allergies, recent reports) somewhere the nursing team can find it immediately.