Effectiveness of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Treatment Through Home-Based Primary Care in South Korea

Background: South Korea is projected to have over 40% of its population aged 65 and older by 2050, and about 15% of these individuals are homebound due to mobility issues, increasing their risk of poorly managed health conditions like pneumonia. This study evaluates the effectiveness of home-based care for managing pneumonia among homebound elderly patients in South Korea. Methods: From February 2023 to January 2025, 98 homebound patients with respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, and sputum production were identified from referrals to a clinic specializing in home-based care. After exclusions, 76 cases with pneumonia were analyzed. Treatment involved intravenous fluids, nutritional support, and intravenous antibiotic therapy, with follow-up evaluations including physical examinations, chest X-rays, and blood tests. Clinical improvement was assessed based on symptom resolution, key clinical markers, and PSI score. Results: Of the 76 cases, 79.0% (60 patients) demonstrated clinical improvement, while 13.1% (10 patients) required transfer to higher-level hospital care, and 7.9% (6 patients) died. Improvements were observed across clinical parameters, including normalized pulse rate, temperature, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose, and C-reactive protein. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that home-based care can effectively manage pneumonia in South Korea’s homebound older adults, achieving a 79.0% improvement rate, reducing hospital readmissions, and improving healthcare outcomes by addressing mobility challenges and expanding services.