Alternative, outpatient settings of care for people with AIDS.

It is estimated that patients with AIDS (PWAs) may require acute hospital care for only about 10% of their illness. Without alternative services and settings available for the PWA, unnecessary and expensive acute hospitalizations will only continue. Using the "San Francisco model" of AIDS services, this article describes the variety of alternatives currently available and/or those being developed, including home care and hospice care, residential care and housing, skilled nursing facilities, and other community-based services. It also discusses those issues that need to be addressed when determining the most appropriate alternative care setting.