Abstract
Introduction: An acute hospital-regional nursing home service (EAGLEcare ACT) were established with an aim to reduce preventable emergency department visit and inpatient hospitalisations of nursing home residents. We aim to explore the experiences of nursing home nurses using the service. Method: Ten focus group discussions were conducted in six partnering nursing homes. A total of 57 nursing home nurses with an average of 4.9 years of working experience participated in the discussions. Transcripts were analysed using qualitative interview analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged: empowerment, feasibility of use, and needs unmet. The EAGLEcare ACT service provided by an acute hospital were welcomed to supplement the inavailability of resident general practitioner. It promotes capability building among partnering nursing home nurses and provides assurance to the next-of-kin of ill residents. The processes and teleconsultations were found to be convenient, and the service was responsive. Medication ordering to administration time, and laboratory investigation ordering to collection and dispatch time were identified as areas for service improvement. Conclusion: Teleconsultation service partnership between an acute hospital with nursing homes were generally well received and perceived as helpful and scalable collaboration.