Using administrative health data from more than 51,000 hospitalized patients in Ontario, this study found that people who had recently experienced homelessness were more than four times as likely to experience delayed discharge and remained in hospital longer after acute care was no longer required. The findings highlight how a lack of safe housing, transitional care options, and community supports can create significant barriers to hospital discharge, placing additional strain on both patients and the health care system. The authors conclude that greater investment in supportive housing, medical respite care, and coordinated discharge planning is needed to improve outcomes and reduce discharge delays.
Research Article