Table 1.

Selection criteria

Patient eligibility
Patients with any of the following conditions:	• Pneumonia – CAP or HAP [radiological consolidation and symptoms/signs of respiratory infection] N.B. if CURB-65 ≥ 3 MUST have had at least 24hrs of in-patient observation before recruitment.
	• Non-pneumonic lower respiratory tract infection [No radiological consolidation but symptoms/signs of respiratory infection]
	• Pneumonia with concomitant COPD (if this service is not provided elsewhere)
Inclusion criteria
Features on history	• Patient able to give fully informed consent
	• Has a phone
	• Age > 18yrs old
Features on examination (stability indicator)	• Early warning score ≤2 (EWS, a score calculated using baseline observations) AND SBP > 90 AND mild confusion only (Abbreviated mini-mental test score [AMTS] ≥ 7). All observations must be stable for 12-24hrs
	• Stable/improving inflammatory markers (WCC/CRP)
	• Stable/improving U&Es
Features of social situation	• Can manage ADLs with current support (immediate OT/physiotherapy/social care can be arranged)
Exclusion criteria
Features on history	• Well enough for discharge without home care support
	• No fixed abode
Features on examination (instability indicator)	• SBP < 90 mmHg
	• For patients with chronic respiratory illness: saturations <88% on air [except asthma]
	• For patients without chronic respiratory illness: saturations <92% on air
Features of diagnosis (indicating cause for concern)	• Suspected MI/raised TnI/T consistent with NSTEMI within 5 days of discharge
	• Empyema or complicated parapneumonic effusion
	• Tuberculosis suspected
	• Neutropenia
	• Acute exacerbations of COPD – infective & non-infective (other services are already provided)
	• Serious co-morbidities requiring hospital treatment (e.g: CKD, CCF) or deemed unstable (significant AKD)
Features of social situation	• Patients unable to manage at home even with maximal support (e.g. IV drug users, alcohol excess or mental health problems)