Repatriation Policy

The updated repatriation policy applies to rehabilitation patients who require re-admission to acute care. The policy, which was developed with acute care and rehabilitation hospitals, is designed to enhance flow and reduce inefficiencies.

The policy focuses on releasing beds (for most patients) when they are re-admitted to acute care for assessment or treatment, but includes special bed-holding considerations for some patient populations.

The Network has also worked with hospitals on additional resources to support consistent application of the policy (see below).

The repatriation policy maximizes occupancy of rehab/CCC beds across the system and reduces the risk of patients being sent back without advance notice and without confirmation that required medications and resources are in place.

In December 2022, a supplement was developed with the GTA IMS planning and command tables as a temporary amendment to the Network’s repatriation policy in response to surge capacity pressures. Its goal was to optimize bed capacity in the post-acute system by ensuring beds are not held vacant for longer than necessary.

Resources
Guidance to support the Repatriation of Patients to Bedded Levels of Rehabilitative Care in Freestanding Rehab/Complex Continuing Care Hospitals – Supplement to the GTA Rehab Network 2017 Policy (December 2022) Supplemental guidance document developed with the GTA IMS planning and command tables to optimize bed capacity in the post-acute system in response to surge capacity pressures.
Policy for the Repatriation of Patients to Bedded Levels of Rehabilitative Care in Freestanding Rehab/Complex Continuing Care Hospitals (April 2017) Includes processes and considerations to guide re-admission of rehab patients.
Repatriation Policy Guideline
(Feb 2018)
Provides supplemental information, including: processes to support transfer of accountability between organizations; considerations for bed holding; communication guidelines regarding the release of rehab/CCC beds; and the process for patients already designated as ALC in rehab/CCC.
Repatriation TOA Reporting Form
(Feb 2018)
Form to be completed if there are difficulties with the transfer of accountability (TOA) for a patient repatriated to acute care from inpatient rehab/CCC.