A concept of operations for setting up alternate care sites details the plan for establishing Influenza Special Care Units (ISCUs) in Massachusetts. The documents indicate that hospitals should collaborate and develop one ISCU for a cluster of hospitals in every region. These documents constitute an option for a local public health agency, a state health department or even private sector health services, because they provide a concept of operations for developing alternate care statewide. The strategy of linking each alternate care site with a hospital was novel for at least one reviewer. This practice has merit and could be useful for states in deciding how to address this important issue.
