Transfer of nursing home residents to emergency departments: organizational differences between nursing homes with high vs. low transfer rates

Abstract

All nursing homes in the highest transfer rate group and one in the lowest transfer rate group were run by private for-profit providers. Compared with the <i>low</i> group, the <i>high</i> group had fewer updated advance care plans and the RNs interviewed had less work experience in care of older people and less training in care of persons with dementia. There was no difference in nursing home size or staff/resident ratio. The RNs described similar possibilities to provide palliative care, medical equipment and perceived medical support from GPs.