Transition care: will it deliver?

Transition care is a new program to Australia that is designed to facilitate transitions of frail older people between the hospital and aged care systems. This program is designed to deliver potentially important improvements to the Australian health care system--but will it deliver? The current evidence base regarding the efficacy of this type of program is mixed, and there is little evidence to indicate improved patient outcomes. An average transition care episode is expensive (about $11 000). Therefore, careful consideration of the relative cost-effectiveness compared with other interface programs such as inpatient subacute services is essential. Transition care services should be established within the context of overall regional plans for aged care, incorporating hospital acute and subacute inpatient services, and long-term community and residential care programs.