The Community Support Service (CSS) Advisor pilot aims to prevent some hospital admissions and lower overall demand on The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) ED Civic Campus by providing referrals directly in the ED to patients who have not fully accessed the community support services available to them that can allow them to successfully stay at home longer. This strategy also aims to increase the general knowledge of CSS supports among ED staff to increase overall knowledge of home supports available to patients and build a stronger level of integration between TOH and the Ottawa Community Support Service sector which can strengthen future referral pathways across the local health care system.

Achieve a measurable decrease in hospital admission rates and repeat ED visits for patients who have engaged with or received referrals to Community Support Services (CSS) from the CSS Advisor. Increase the likelihood of ED staff referring patients to CSS supports. Improve the operational and collaborative integration between The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and the CSS sector.

Working group: Older Adults Living with Frailty