Starting July 1st, 2009 the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care requires all acute and post acute hospitals in Ontario to use the Provincial Alternate Level of Care (ALC) Definition to designate patients as ALC. 

1. What is Alternate Level of Care (ALC)?
   Alternate Level of Care (ALC) is a clinical decision that is made by a physician and other healthcare professional, when a patient no longer requires the treatment or services provided in their current hospital care setting. 
   
   
2. Why is it important to identify patients as ALC?
   By capturing this information the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and hospitals will be better able
   a)  to track who is currently waiting in a hospital to be discharged home or waiting for a different care setting e.g. long term care home
   b)  to identify the gaps in health and community care services
   c)  to make informed decisions regarding the allocation of resources to hospitals and communities
   d) to improve patient flow and access to services
   
   
3. How is a patient identified as ALC?
   ~ When a patient is in a hospital bed, their doctor and other health care team members will review the patient?s progress.
   ~ A patient is identified as ALC when their healthcare team decides that they have reached a point in their treatment where they no longer require the level of care provided in their current location. 
   ~ Usually this happens when all treatments and services that can only be performed in this care setting are completed and the team is planning for the care the patient may need on discharge.
   ~ The healthcare team will discuss this ALC designation with the patient and family and inform them of the date that the patient will be designated as ALC and could be discharged from hospital. 
   

If you have more questions about the Alternate Level of Care designation, please talk to your healthcare provider at the Toronto Grace Hospital (social worker, patient care manager or doctor).  For further information emails can be sent to ALCdefinition@cancercare.on.ca