Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42434872›Full record

ArticleAustralasian journal on ageing2026

Beyond the Hospital Residential Aged Care Home Referral: A Critical Realist Exploration of Residential Aged Care Admission Practices Directly From Hospital.

Angel Carrasco, Rachna Kumar, Natalia Mendez Arostica, Gunjan Patil, Hendrika Laetitia Hattingh

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Australasian journal on ageing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Angel CarrascoSocial Work Services, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Queensland, Australia.
Rachna KumarSocial Work Services, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Queensland, Australia.
Natalia Mendez ArosticaSocial Work Services, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Queensland, Australia.
Gunjan PatilSocial Work Services, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Queensland, Australia.
Hendrika Laetitia HattinghAllied Health Research, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4553-743X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study explored the complex decision-making processes underpinning hospital-to-permanent Residential Aged Care Home (RACH) transitions from the perspective of RACH managers.

methodsUsing a critical realist methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 RACH managers on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Data were analysed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis to identify patterns and underlying causal mechanisms that shape admission practices.

resultsFive interrelated themes emerged: (1) structural and organisational constraints; (2) screening as organisational risk; (3) resident-facility compatibility; (4) relational and legal negotiation; and (5) logistical coordination. Findings revealed that hospital-to-RACH admission decisions are influenced not only by observable procedural elements but also by deeper systemic mechanisms, including funding structures, staffing limitations, resident mix and policy constraints, which contribute to prolonged hospital wait times for patients awaiting permanent placement.

conclusionsThe study presents a conceptual model of hospital-to-RACH placement, highlighting the operational realities faced by RACH managers. Findings underscore the need for integrated discharge planning, flexible funding arrangements, and systemic support such as workforce training and cross-sector collaboration to improve the efficiency and quality of care transitions.

Indexed as

Homes for the AgedNursing HomesPatient AdmissionPatient TransferReferral and ConsultationAgedAttitude of Health PersonnelHumansInterviews as TopicNursing Home ResidentsPatient DischargeQualitative ResearchQueenslanddischarge planningnursing homepatient handoffresidential aged care facility

Identifiers

PMID42434872
PMCPMC13355324

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.