Point-of-care testing in long-term care reduces hospital transfers

BRAMPTON, ON (May 2, 2025) – Hospital transfers can be stressful for long-term care residents, increasing their risk for delirium, hospital-acquired infections, and functional decline. In early results being presented at AdvantAge Ontario’s 2025 Convention (#ASC2025) today, Peel Region saw improved health outcomes and a promising reduction in hospital transfers by expanding point-of-care testing (POCT) across all five of its Long Term Care Centres.

Thanks to the generous investment from Ontario Health’s Local Priorities and Education and Training Funding from the Ministry of Long-Term Care, Peel Region has successfully introduced advanced point-of-care diagnostic tools, including hemoglobin and c-reactive protein metres, urinalysis, bladder scanners, and blood analysis systems. Additionally, over 135 long-term care staff were trained to use them.

To collect accurate data and assess the benefits of point-of-care testing, Peel Region also developed a new system for monitoring emergency department transfers.

Together, these tools helped identify health issues sooner and informed treatment, reducing the need for emergency department visits and improving resident health outcomes. Out of 108 unique health scenarios involving POCT usage between January and March 2025, only nine hospital transfers (8.3%) occurred throughout Peel Region’s five Long Term Care Centres. According to Peel Region internal data*, the hospital transfer rate (per 100) for the corresponding period in 2024 was 16.79.

This promising hospital transfer data demonstrates how innovations in care can help long-term care residents and their families avoid the stress and disruption of spending time in hospital, while delivering tangible system benefits, such as fewer 911 calls, ED visits and hospitalizations.

The team also noted that c-reactive protein metres and urinalysis kits were the most used and supported timely diagnoses and treatment decisions. Other outcomes included strengthened antibiotic stewardship, enhanced monitoring of residents, and timely involvement of specialists.

* Note that a direct comparison cannot be made between existing Peel Region hospital transfer data and the hospital transfer rate for POCT health scenarios.