Alternate level of care (ALC) refers to a patient who is occupying a bed in a hospital waiting to receive care elsewhere. A designation of ALC can have negative effects on both the patient (for example, through risk of hospital-acquired infections and functional decline while in hospital) and the health care system (for example, through high costs and limiting access to acute services for patients who truly require them). In addition to the effects on patients and the health care system, an ALC designation can also lead to stress and uncertainty for family caregivers.
Click here to visit Health Quality Ontario’s Indicator Library to view how to measure ALC rate.
