OBJECTIVES: to estimate the effect of factors that influence decisions to transfer residents of aged care facilities to an emergency department (ED) for acute medical emergencies. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: a discrete choice experiment with residents (N = 149), the relatives of residents (N = 137) and staff members (N = 128) of aged care facilities. SETTING: aged care facilities in three Australian states. OUTCOME MEASURES: using random parameter logit models, parameter estimates and odds ratios were estimated, and resultant utility functions for ED and alternate care were constructed. RESULTS: all attributes (including waiting time, complication rates, symptom relief and time spent alone) significantly influence choice for accessing acute care. There is a strong overall preference for ED care (odds ratio 1.73, 95% confidence interval 1.57-1.92), but this varies by clinical scenario, being the strongest for pneumonia and weakest for wrist fracture. Relatives of residents were less tolerant of reductions in care quality than staff members or residents themselves. CONCLUSION: underlying preference for ED transfer of aged care facility residents in acute medical emergencies is strong and independent of commonly used quality of care measures.
a1468-2834 (Electronic)