Permanent cognitive or physical impairment after transfer from long-term care to acute care: a retrospective cohort study

Key Points

• This research aims to explore the incidence of permanent cognitive and physical impairment associated with transfers from long-term to acute care.
• Retrospective cohort design conducted on long-term care residents
• Analyzed transfer outcomes to emergency departments (ED)
• Compared incidence of physical and cognitive impairment before and after adjustments for acute illness
• Residents transferred to ED exhibited higher rates of permanent physical and cognitive impairment
• After adjustments, transfer decisions showed no increased risk for severe impairment
• Mortality rates decreased in residents transferred to acute care