A new study led by Humber River Health (Humber), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Michael Garron Hospital, in partnership with 20 long-term care homes across Toronto, has found that on-site rapid testing for respiratory infections can help reduce transfers to emergency departments among residents living in long-term care.  

The PROMPT-LTC trial, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, is the first study of its kind in the world. It found that when long-term care homes used rapid, on-site testing for COVID-19, influenza and RSV, symptomatic residents were tested more often, received results faster, and were able to access care sooner. 

The Study 

The trial took place during the 2024 – 2025 respiratory virus season. Half of the participating long-term care homes used on-site rapid testing, while the remaining homes continued with standard off-site testing. Researchers found that homes with on-site rapid testing tested residents more than twice as often and were able to provide earlier antiviral treatment for influenza.  

Most importantly, the study found improved outcomes for residents. Long-term care homes using on-site rapid testing saw an 11 per cent lower chance of residents being transferred to a hospital emergency department for complications related to respiratory infection. Researchers concluded this was equivalent to four avoided emergency department visits per 100 beds during the respiratory virus season.  

The findings also point to the broader potential of this approach. If implemented nationally, researchers estimate that on-site rapid testing in long-term care homes could help prevent 8,000 transfers to hospital emergency departments each year between November and March, when hospitals are often under significant pressure from respiratory illness.  

A key part of the study’s success was teamwork across hospital and long-term care partners. Infection Prevention and Control teams from participating hospital sites trained long-term care staff to integrate on-site rapid testing into their daily workflows, helping build staff confidence, strengthen outbreak management, and support more timely decision-making. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, gaps in Infection Prevention and Control, along with delays in testing, had devastating impacts on residents in long-term care. Traditionally, respiratory virus testing has required specimens to be transported off-site to a laboratory, with results often taking three to five days. Through the PROMPT-LTC trial, trained long-term care staff used a desktop rapid testing instrument that provided results in under an hour. 

The Humber Perspective 

For Humber, the study reflects two important elements of our Strategic Plan: fostering research to help improve patient outcomes and proactively address the needs of our community, as well as delivering comprehensive, quality care closer to home. By supporting long-term care partners with the tools, training and clinical expertise needed to identify respiratory infections earlier, Humber is helping residents receive the right level of care where they live, while reducing avoidable transfers to hospital. 

“This work demonstrates what is possible when hospitals, long-term care homes and clinical teams work together with a shared commitment to improving care for residents,” says Dr. Ian Brasg, Medical Director, Infection Prevention and Control and Medical Lead, Infectious Diseases at Humber River Health. “The pandemic reinforced how important timely testing, strong Infection Prevention and Control practices, and close collaboration are in protecting vulnerable populations. Through this study, we were able to build on those lessons and support better outcomes for residents.” 

Looking Ahead 

As a hospital serving a community with higher disease prevalence compared to surrounding regions, Humber River Health is focused on advancing equitable, high-quality care that is closer to home. 

The PROMPT-LTC trial is an example of how innovation can be applied in practical, meaningful ways to improve care beyond the hospital walls. By working with partners in long-term care, Humber and its hospital partners helped bring hospital-level testing closer to residents, supporting earlier detection, stronger outbreak prevention and better outcomes. 

“This study is a strong example of how research can directly inform better models of care,” says Dr. Brasg. “By bringing testing closer to residents and empowering long-term care teams with the right tools and training, we are improving care in a way that is both innovative and practical.” 

The PROMPT-LTC trial included multiple hospital sites and academic partners, including Humber River Health, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Michael Garron Hospital, Baycrest Health Sciences, the JC Wilt Infectious Diseases Research Centre, the National Microbiology Laboratory, the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and the Centre for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety at the University of Toronto.