Home health care, particularly antibiotic home health care, must be studied against a background of change. Hospitals are changing their structure as one way of coping with health care costs. The Health Care Financing Administration is making its impact with the DRG program. As a result, hospitals are seeking various means of cost containment, and home health care is seen as one possible answer. Much of the potential benefit to be derived from home health care will depend on how thoroughly it is based on good modern technology, and how carefully it is planned to reduce hospital length of stay and to decrease the costs of hospital personnel and supplies. Another answer may be found in the administration of parenteral antibiotics by once-daily doses.