This article explores a pilot project at Santa Cabrini Hospital in Montreal. From now on, the hospital will require formal authorization for any patient who no longer needs acute care to stay in a hospital bed while waiting for a spot in a long-term care facility.

The hospital launched this initiative to free up beds and reduce overcrowding in the emergency room, as nearly one out of every four beds is currently occupied by someone waiting for a transfer. Patients sent home under this policy will receive home-care support tailored to their specific needs. While a local doctor and a labor union both support the goal of the project, they have raised concerns about whether there are enough home-care resources available to meet the demand.