Evolve and integrate: a new imperative for ambulatory care
Johnson, T.K.; Borgos, S.
Healthcare Financial Management Journal of the Healthcare Financial Management Association 66(4): 68-73
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0735-0732 PMID: 22523890 Document Number: 660894
A highly evolved ambulatory care delivery system possesses four key attributes: high-quality care, exceptional levels of access, outstanding patient and staff satisfaction, and cost-effective delivery of care. Such a system seeks to ease management of the patient care continuum by delivering as many services as possible under one umbrella. High-quality, cost-effective care is achieved through improved care coordination and cost management, resulting from a tight connection between physicians and hospitals and between inpatient and outpatient settings. Improved access is an important means to improving patient satisfaction.