Physician/Hospital Integration in Pediatrics: An Update for Pediatric Cardiologists

摘要

The healthcare industry is undergoing a time of unprecedented change that will require hospitals and physicians to work more collaboratively to reduce the cost of care while improving quality (Porter and Teisberg 2006). Regardless of the exact changes to be implemented as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)1, lowering cost, improving quality, and increasing access will be paramount to success. And the degree of success will be linked to the ability to realize improvements across a continuum of healthcare services. This will require that hospitals and physicians rethink their business strategies and implement more integrated care models. While the future of healthcare industry changes are less than certain, it will be essential that hospitals and physicians integrate care delivery and information exchange to drive more value.