004 Right Care, Right Place- Rethinking Aged Care Ambulance Transfers

This episode examines what decides whether a deteriorating aged care resident is transported to hospital when an ambulance is called. Reviewing Australian studies, it argues transfer is system-dependent, not driven by diagnosis alone: staff confidence, GP and outreach access, handover quality, family expectations, organisational risk tolerance and paramedic scope all shape the decision. Evidence includes 53% of fall-related transfers judged potentially avoidable, extended care paramedics halving transport odds, and virtual emergency care avoiding many transfers. Costs fall unevenly across ambulance services, residents and facilities. It recommends stronger in-place capability, better handover, joint training, prioritising right care rather than fewer transfers.