Introduction: The nature and incidence of adverse events and complications among patients admitted from the emergency department to hospital in the home has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate this problem and make recommendations for prevention strategies. Methods: This was an explicit retrospective chart review of patients admitted from the emergency department directly to hospital in the home between 22 February 1995 and 1 September 2000. A data extraction document was designed specifically for the study and used to extract data relating to patient demographics, diagnosis, past medical history and outcome. The outcomes of interest include adverse events, complications and death. An adverse effect is defined as an unintended injury or complication that results in disability, death or prolonged hospital stay and is caused by health care management. These adverse events may occur prior to or during the index admission and may be noted during or after the index admission. A complication is defined as an undesirable outcome that occurs during the management but not causing disability, death or prolonged hospital stay. Results: Three hundred and fifty‐seven patients were enrolled (51.3% male; median age 52 years, range 16–96 years). Fifty‐five adverse events were identified: 49 adverse events (89%) were due to management prior to hospital in the home admission and six adverse events (10.9%) were directly attributable to hospital in the home management. This represents a rate of 1.7 adverse events per 100 hospital in the home admissions directly attributable to hospital in the home management. One hundred and eighteen complications were identified. Most complications were easily managed. Thirty‐one patients had unplanned re‐admissions and two patients died within 28 days of hospital in the home admission. Conclusion: Most patients admitted to hospital in the home from the emergency department were managed successfully. Few adverse events arose from hospital in the home treatment. Complications were common but minor in nature. Strategies for the prevention of phlebitis and constipation are recommended.