Geriatric flying squads, also known as aged care outreach services, are hospital-operated, multidisciplinary rapid response teams that provide on-site assessments and acute-level care for deteriorating geriatric patients in aged/long-term care (LTC) facilities. The objective of geriatric flying squads is to reduce preventable ED utilization and hospital admissions by proactively delivering care for patients who would otherwise be transferred to the hospital. This model may also help facilitate discharge by making LTC staff more willing to accept patients with complex care needs through educational training and coaching.

Geriatric flying squads consist of at least a geriatrician, nurse practitioner, and clinical nurse consultant, though some models may also include social workers, physiotherapists, and psychologists. Hospitals may adapt squad size and composition to best meet the needs of its patient population. Geriatric flying squads may also vary in how and with whom they partner (some geriatric flying squads in Australia provide decision support directly to emergency service providers), and whether they deliver care in patients’ homes.

The earliest mention of the program is in 2011 in Australia,¹ where the model is regaining traction as state governments are boosting funding for the program in response to nationwide ambulance ramping and hospital capacity crises.²