Alternate Level of Care (ALC)

Patients are designated to have an "Alternate" level of care when they occupy an acute hospital bed but do not require the intensity of services provided in the care setting of that bed. Such patients are medically stable enough for discharge or transfer to a more appropriate (less intensive) level of care (e.g., home, long-term care, rehabilitation).

The ALC designation is typically used to facilitate system planning, with a focus on optimizing patient flow and directing discharge preparation efforts to areas where patient needs do not match resource requirements.

There is no objectively consistent criteria for an ALC designation, since the care intensity intended for a particular clinical setting varies by organization and jurisdiction. However, ALC status is commonly assigned when patients have a stable treatment plan, are at a prior or new clinical baseline and are ready for a different setting but remain in their current bed.