Nursing homes with poorer staff-to-resident ratios have higher rates of transfer to hospital, compared with those that have RNs more readily available, a study by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has found.
Savings of $21.2 billion are available through potentially avoidable admissions, presentations to and stays in hospitals from the aged care sector and could be achieved through better provision of primary care in aged care settings, the study finds.
An AMA research paper, Putting Health Care Back Into Aged Care says that as a result of lack of timely and adequate care, older people end up in hospitals more frequently and stay longer.
It says experienced nurses can provide appropriate and skilled care within the nursing home, which in conjunction with GP oversight, can prevent transfers to hospitals.
AMA President, Dr Omar Khorshid, said many nursing homes have insufficient numbers of RNs, leading to older people’s health deteriorating so badly, they end up in hospital.