Integrated health care systems continue to play a vital role in sustaining healthcare systems worldwide. After all, it allows for the ease of planning and implementing integrated health systems. Thin, in turn, leads to better healthcare services among patients and communities at large.
And with the ever-increasing staff shortages, cost inflation and service demand, it is now vital that we use scarce resources through integrated service delivery models. That said, here are a few principles for integrated health care systems that allow for restructuring, organizational flexibility and adaptation to local context.
Performance Management
The overall success of Integrated health care systems depends on well-developed performance monitoring systems that include indicators to measure the outcomes at different levels. Performance management entails the use of a structured approach to analyze performance issues and how they might be depressed. You need to remember that there are protocols and procedures that specifically reflect the essence of measuring care processes and outcomes.
With performance management, the focus is mostly on cost-effectiveness. The good news is some integrated health care systems boast mechanisms that link compensation to indicator-based performance. For this reason, it is easy to redesign reward systems to identity while at the same time measuring and reinforcing achievement of organizational priorities.
Organizational Cultures and Leadership
Among the most important aspects that go into the implementation and operation of an integrated health care system is the organizational structure and leadership in place. Overlapping cultures such as differences between medical service providers and long-term care services can lead to failed integration efforts.
Another cultural barrier that may affect the effective performance of integrated health care systems is an acute care mindset. And this is easy to see why since it places the hospital at the center of the integration process. Even though some medical practitioners may not notice anything wrong with this, it tends to run counter to the concept of integrated, population-based health-care delivery.
The Bottom Line
Successful health systems integration is vital if patients and communities are to reap maximum benefits. While it may take some time to get things right, it is way worth the effort in the end. Remember, integrated health care system is an inventive way to take full advantage of the health system model to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. That’s what we need to ensure better health care services to all without breaking the bank.
