Resource Matching & Referral is a shared web-based application that matches patients to appropriate clinical programs/services and sends electronic referrals. The application is currently live in 86 acute, rehabilitation, complex continuing care, home care, long-term care and community support health service providers in Toronto Central Home and Community Care Support Services (TC HCCSS) and CENTRAL. It was introduced in Toronto Central HCCSS in 2008 and in CENTRAL as of 2011.
There is a high incidence of patients waiting in acute care to be matched to programs that can better address their clinical needs. Once it is determined, by a clinical care team, that a patient no longer needs to occupy an acute care bed, they are referred to ALC programs or services. Examples of ALC include Long-Term Care homes, Rehab clinics or Complex Continuing Care programs. The referral process used to be the source of delay in matching patients to appropriate ALC programs and services. Prior to electronic implementation, referrals were written down on paper forms. The forms were then faxed to receiving organizations. Often, due to the high volume of patients that move through health service providers, the forms were either incomplete or illegible. Additionally, health service providers were unaware of alternative programs and services. The paper-based process caused delays in patient transitions.
The Resource Matching & Referral program provides clarity and efficiency by creating an electronic solution for the referral process. Clinicians log into the RM&R application and enter all the pertinent data required to match a patient to an appropriate ALC program or service. Referrals are immediately sent to ALC organizations. The receiving organization, after examining the patient’s data, may either choose to accept, decline or request for more information. By creating a centralized tool, the RM&R application, allows Health Service Providers to match patients to the most appropriate programs and services in a timely manner. It also provides clear methods to identify capacity issues and service gaps. Lastly, the RM&R application is a single repository of information used by Health Service Providers to improve the patient experience.
Participating Organizations
- Alliston Family Health Team
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- Humber River Hospital
- Mackenzie Health Hospital
- Markham Stouffville Hospital
- Michael Garron Hospital
- Mount Sinai Hospital
- North York General Hospital
- Southlake Regional Hospital
- St. Joseph’s Health Centre
- St. Michael’s Hospital
- Stevenson Memorial Hospital
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- The Scarbrough Hospital (TSH)
- University Health Network
- Women’s College Hospital
- Alzheimer Society of Toronto
- Better Living Health & Community Services
- CallAService Inc Harmony Hall Centre for Seniors
- Carefirst Family Health Team
- Central Neighbourhood House
- Community Care East York
- Dixon Hall – Neighbourhood Services
- ESS Support Services
- East York Meals On Wheels
- Family Service Toronto
- Greek Community Services
- Hospice Toronto
- Humber Community Seniors Services
- Les Centre D’Accueil Heritage
- Mid Toronto Community Services Inc.
- Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
- Neighbourhood Link Support Services
- Parkdale Golden Age Foundation
- Philip Aziz Centre
- SPRINT Senior Care
- Silver Circle: West Toronto Support Services
- St. Christopher House
- St. Clair West Services for Seniors
- St. Stephen’s Community House
- Storefront Humber
- The Good Neighbours Club
- The Second Mile Club of Toronto
- True Davidson Meals on Wheels
- Warden Woods Community Centre
- West Neighbourhood House
- West Toronto Support Services for Seniors
- WoodGreen Community Services
- Yorkminster Park Meals on Wheels
- Belmont House
- Castleview Wychwood Towers
- Cedarvale Terrace
- Chester Village
- Copernicus Lodge
- Drs. Paul And John Rekai Centre
- Elm Grove Living Centre
- Fairview Nursing Home Ltd. (Schlegel Villages)
- Fountain View Care Community (Sienna Living)
- Fudger House
- Garden Court Nursing Home
- Harmony Hills Care Community (Sienna Living)
- Hellenic Home for the Aged
- Heritage Nursing Home
- Houses of Providence and Community Program
- Isabel and Arthur Meighen Manor
- Ivan Franko Home
- Lakeshore Lodge
- Lakeside Long Term Care Centre (Extendicare)
- St. George Care Community (Sienna Living)
- Main Street Terrace
- Maynard Nursing Home (Schlegel Villages)
- Mon Sheong Home for the Aged
- Nisbet Lodge
- Norwood Nursing Home
- Rose of Sharon Korean Long Term Care
- St. Clair O’Connor
- St. Hilda’s
- Suomi-Koti Toronto Nursing Home
- The Kensington Gardens
- The O’Neill Centre
- True Davidson Acres
- Vermont Square
- Wellesley Central Place
- West Park Long Term Care Centre
- Chartwell White Eagle Nursing Home
- Baycrest
- Bridgepoint Health
- Providence Healthcare
- Runnymede Health Centre
- St. John’s Rehab Hospital
- Toronto Grace Health Centre
- West Park Healthcare Centre
- CENTRAL – Home and Community Care
- Toronto Central HCCSS – Home and Community Care