Integrated Delivery Systems

Integrated Delivery Systems within Health Systems There are many definitions for integrated delivery systems for the health care organization. The most basic one for the public to understand is that it is a system offered in health facilities that provides patients a continuum of preventive and curative services under one facility. As the health reform is quickly rising, this is extremely important on the business side of the health organization. Reimbursements are decreasing while quality and access of care is increasing. In fact, IDS can improve care coordination and quality assurance of care for the patient. For a health organization to fully develop an IDS system, leadership will need to perceive it as a new service line being added to the organization.

Components of an Integrated Delivery System

First, leadership needs to create goals: strategic, operational, and financial plans in setting for an IDS to successful. Leadership and department managers will need to collaborate to determine: patient volume, medical/physician staff, and risk management for the proposed new integrated service lines. Once the plan is in place, administrators will need to collaborate with physicians when making facility decisions. Health care

(Essential Hospital Institute) By utilizing care coordination this will increase efficiency by limiting resources which could potentially entice insurance companies with new payment methods. Health organizations are now looking to treat and offer all services to the patient. This eliminates the patient from visiting completive health facilities for illnesses. “If designed thoughtfully, care coordination programs can improve patients’ experiences with the health care system and their health outcomes as well as reduce wasteful spending in the long run.”(Traver &