The presentation highlighted the significant transformation occurring in healthcare as treatment and follow-up care increasingly move from traditional hospital settings into patients’ homes. Home hospital services can promote greater independence and reduce the need for hospital admissions. At the same time, ensuring patient safety must remain a top priority throughout this transition.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of measuring and evaluating the outcomes of new models of care. When major changes are introduced within healthcare systems, it is essential to demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of services, identify the indicators that best reflect patient safety, and establish methods for monitoring these outcomes over time.

The speakers noted that the development of home hospital services requires a new approach to patient safety, as care is delivered outside the conventional hospital environment. Clear communication between patients, family members, and healthcare professionals is crucial, together with well-defined clinical pathways and procedures that support safe, coordinated, and continuous care.

The presentation formed part of the program of the Patient Safety Day Symposium – Safety of Patients with Chronic Conditions, held on the International Day of Patient Safety, 17 September 2026. The symposium brought together healthcare professionals, managers, and service users to discuss ways of improving patient safety and the quality of healthcare services in Iceland.