Establishing an alternate level of care unit.

Timely discharge of patients is a major concern of hospitals due to the significant impact of reimbursement constraints. This presents special challenges for hospitals and their staff, who care for an increasing number of elderly patients who do not require acute care, but are waiting for placement in extended-care facilities. The authors describe development and economic impact of an alternate level of care unit, that provides an integrated program of services to address the needs of this patient population.