title: Clinical Characteristics and Service Needs of Alternate-Level-of-Care Patients Waiting for Long-Term Care in Ontario Hospitals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alternate-level-of-care (ALC) patients waiting for admission to long-term care (LTC) in Ontario hospitals are an important subgroup of ALC patients. Understanding the characteristics of ALC patients waiting for LTC can identify opportunities for alternative discharge options.
  
  
  METHODS
  Characteristics from a sample of 13,915 ALC patients waiting for LTC in acute and complex hospitals were analyzed and compared to those from a sample of 113,046 long-stay home care clients in Ontario. Population-level data were obtained using Ontario's RAI-HC database for the period January 2007 to September 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Relative to older long-stay home care clients, ALC patients waiting for LTC admission have more functional impairment and complex health needs. A combination of targeted transitional care and more resource-intensive home care services are needed to successfully address ALC patients' care needs in the community.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A substantial portion of ALC patients waiting for LTC placement in acute and complex care hospitals may be more appropriately cared for in community settings if adequate community-centred resources are put in place.
authors.affiliation: Research Associate, Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON.
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hirdes