What type of health service does ALC refer to?

ALC refers to "Alternate Level of Care," which is a designation used primarily in Canadian healthcare systems. It indicates that a patient no longer requires acute hospital care but is still occupying a hospital bed while waiting for appropriate continuing or long-term care services. Continuing care typically includes various services that support individuals with chronic health conditions or disabilities who need assistance with daily living activities.

In this context, continuing care is the most fitting definition as it encapsulates the services provided to patients who are no longer receiving acute treatment but still need supportive care to maintain their quality of life. This includes home care, long-term care facilities, and other forms of community-based support. Understanding ALC is crucial for healthcare professionals to optimize resource utilization in acute care settings and ensure patients transition to the most suitable level of care.