Disability Liaison Officers and emergency department diversion: a retrospective analysis from an Australian health service.

BACKGROUND

This study explores the role of the Monash Health Disability Liaison Officer program in supporting people with disability to access appropriate care pathways and avoid unnecessary emergency department (ED) presentations where possible.

METHODS

Using data from July to December 2024, we analysed 123 referrals with recorded ED-relevant outcomes. Associations between ED diversion and referral characteristics were examined using chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables, and Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous variables.

RESULTS

At the referral level, 62.6% of referrals had at least one episode of ED diversion to alternative care pathways, such as general practice, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics or direct hospital admission. Significant associations were observed between ED diversion and referrals related to the management of chronic conditions requiring coordinated care and barriers to healthcare access (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the Disability Liaison Officer model may support access to alternative care pathways and facilitate ED diversion for some people with disability who require coordinated supports across health and social care systems.