English language proficiency and hospital admissions via the emergency department by aged care residents in Australia: A mixed-methods investigation.

ABSTRACT: Residents of Residential Age Care Facilities (RACFs) have particularly high rates of Emergency Department (ED) visits, with up to 55% being potentially avoidable (e.g. not resulting in a hospital admission). This is concerning as ED visits by RACF residents are associated with negative outcomes including longer hospital stays, iatrogenic illness, complications and mortality. Limited English proficiency (LEP) has significant negative impacts on the healthcare quality and outcomes for older people but has not been studied as a factor in ED visits from RACFs. This study aimed to examine if RACF residents with LEP have a lower rate of hospital admission via the ED compared to non-LEP controls and identify any associated factors. We hypothesised that LEP-related communication difficulties would

SUBMITTER: Long KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10078708 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature