Few argue the point that the American health care “system” is broken. Today’s fragmented non-system is based upon the decades-old idea that physicians, through a one-to-one relationship with the patient, will seek out and know the best care for each patient, and that hospitals through episodic, acute-care interventions are the centralizing point for the coordination of patient information. Waste, high cost, duplication, patient confusion and poor outcomes result from a variety of factors.
While accountable care organizations (ACOs), clinical integration networks and patient-centered medical homes are fast becoming the trend du jour, there is little doubt that a provider-led, population-based, coordinated care process that instills accountability for performance and measurement of quality, cost and patient experience is essential.
This monograph explores three stages most health care organizations will go through as they build or become part of an accountable system of care. The concept of the care management platform is introduced and key information technology investments are identified for each stage. Finally, assessment questions are provided for trustees to critically examine their own organization’s progress at each stage.
Published by The American Healthcare Association’s Center for Healthcare Governance
To download a copy of the whitepaper, click here.
