Lakeridge Health reports drop in alternate level of care patients across Durham Region hospitals

Lakeridge Health says the share of alternate level of care (ALC) patients among in-patients across its Durham Region hospitals fell from nearly 30% in summer 2024 to less than 12% one year later. In a Feb. 19 update, the hospital network also said the number of ALC patients dropped by more than 50% over the same period.

ALC patients are people who no longer require acute hospital care but cannot return home without support. Lakeridge Health said reducing the number of ALC patients can improve patient flow through hospital units and reduce emergency department wait times and ambulance offload delays.

Lakeridge Health attributed the change to its Hospital2Home program, which it describes as a coordinated transition-to-home program for patients who no longer need acute care and are ready to go home with supports in place.

According to the hospital, the program brings together hospital teams—including emergency department and in-patient units—and community partners to arrange services and supports for patients and their families.

In the hospital’s announcement, Ron Dekker said his mother, Ann, was 89 and lived independently before she went into hospital. He said she wanted to return home but could not do so safely without help, and that supports provided through Hospital2Home made that possible.

Jaclyn McLeod, Lakeridge Health’s Director of Healthy Aging, said the program uses an individualized care plan for each patient based on their needs and goals. McLeod also said she has seen patients and families face caregiver burnout.

Lakeridge Health said it worked with local home-care agencies and community partners to create “bridging supports” intended to support transitions home. The hospital also said teams adjusted roles, including adding dedicated social-work support focused on transitions to the community.

Dr. Joel Kennedy, chief and medical director of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Lakeridge Health, said the approach involves hospitals, home care and community partners working together to support people returning home from hospital.