The interface between residential aged care and the emergency department: a systematic review

Design: systematic review based on a comprehensive literature search in three electronic databases and published article reference lists. Results: the incidence of transfer from RACF to ED is > 30 transfers/100 RACF beds/year in most studies. The casemix from RACF is varied and reflects that of the broad elderly population, with some risk difference. At least 40% of transfers are not admitted to hospital. There is insufficient data to fully address our other questions; however, hospitalisations from RACF can be reduced through advanced care planning, use of management guidelines for acute illnesses and improved primary care. Conclusions: residents of RACF have a high annual risk of transfer to ED. The clinical benefit and cost effectiveness of ED care, and alternate programs to reduce ED transfer, cannot be confidently compared from published work. Further research is required to accurately describe these and to determine their comparative worth.