Exploring alternative level care (ALC) and the role of funding policies : Exploration de l'enjeu des niveaux de soins alternatifs (NSA) et le rôle des politiques de financement : un fondement probant qui évolue pour le Canada

Funded through an agreement with the Government of Canada, CHSRF is an independent, not-for-profit corporation with a mandate to promote the use of evidence to strengthen the delivery of services that improve the health of Canadians. [...] This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial purposes only and on the condition that the original content of the publication or portion of the publication not be altered in any way without the express written permission of CHSRF. [...] Alberta, for example, has ‘capped’ the number of long-term care beds17 and is changing remuneration policies to create incentives to improve the efficiency of care and the movement of patients out of higher intensity settings.18 Other provinces are taking a multi-pronged approach to the issue, expanding transition bed capacity while aiming to reduce future hospital demand. [...] Available data from Canada indicates that approximately two-thirds of ALC patients are waiting for a transfer to another healthcare facility,1 though the proportion is higher in Ontario.3 While waiting for discharge, 11% of all ALC patients die in the hospital.2 Of those discharged alive, 44% are waiting for exPloring alternative level of Care and the role of funding PoliCies: an evolving evidenCe [...] Consensus for defining ‘intensity’ or ‘level’ of continuing care would be a valuable step forward in the ability to compare the characteristics and utilization of continuing care across provinces and territories, and facilitate peer-based benchmarking of providers on quality of care and financial performance.