Improving Emergency Department Transfers for Long-Term Care Residents: A Care Pathway

Nearly half of all long-term care (LTC) residents in Canada are transferred to the emergency department (ED) annually, increasing the strain on healthcare resources and potentially negatively impacting the health and wellness of residents (e.g., exposure to iatrogenic harms). Many residents’ conditions could be managed within LTC if appropriate supports were provided. The aim of this knowledge translation project was to reduce potentially avoidable transfers from LTC to ED and provide care for residents within LTC homes in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.