Patient Pathways: Transfers From Continuing Care to Acute Care

New CIHI Report, released January 22, 2009

In 2007–2008, 35% of acute care hospital beds in Canada (excluding Quebec) were occupied by persons age 75 and older. Of those beds, 10% were occupied by patients who had been transferred from a continuing care setting (such as a long-term care facility or a nursing home). Most of these patients arrived by ambulance (83%), and the vast majority (91%) were admitted through the emergency department. One of every four of these patients was transferred more than once within the year.
 
With increased attention on patient safety, efficiency and appropriate allocation of resources, health system planners and policy-makers are focused on patient pathways—including reasons for patient transfers.
 
This report from the Canadian Institute on Health Information, published January 22, 2009, explores the characteristics of seniors 75 and older who have been transferred from a continuing care setting and admitted into acute care, including reasons for transfers, wait times and discharge following the acute care stay.

For the full report:
 http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=PG_1770_E&cw_topic=1770&cw_rel=AR_2630_E