Admissions and Transfers from an Acute Care Setting to an Institution

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit’s (EOHU) approval is not required for admissions and transfers, but EOHU consultation is recommended when Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) advice or risk mitigation is needed.

In general, mitigation measures should routinely be in place to facilitate the return of clients/residents/patients to the institution and avoid unnecessary delays in the transfer from acute care.

Institutions are recommended to consult the EOHU when:

• The client/resident/patient is from a health care facility in outbreak and is going to an institution that is not in outbreak and there are concerns with compliance of IPAC measures.
• The client/resident/patient is from the community or a health care facility not in outbreak and going to an institution in outbreak and any of the following apply:
  • New outbreak has been declared with an ongoing investigation.
  • Outbreak is uncontrolled/uncontained.
  • Admission/transfer to an area where many clients/residents/patients are unable to follow IPAC measures or client/resident/patient is unable to isolate and/or follow IPAC measures.
  • Client/resident/patient is severely immunocompromised.
  • Informed consent has not been obtained from the client/resident/patient.
• Additionally, for admissions or transfers from an acute care facility, the discharging physician should agree to the admission or transfer to an institution in outbreak.