What are Clinically integrated networks

1. What are Clinically integrated networks? What are Clinically integrated networks? Clinically integrated networks (CINs) are the key to successfully navigating this future. The healthcare industry is experiencing a time of change. Providers are preparing for the reality of the post-reform environment that will require hospitals and physicians to be more accountable for the delivery of higher quality and more efficient care delivered at a lower cost. As hospitals and physicians navigate through the challenges of planning for this future, they also have to remain focused on current operations that are threatened by thinning margins due to an increased cost structure and reimbursement declines in the current fee- for-service environment. Clinically integrated networks are a formal group of healthcare providers working together to deliver efficient, affordable, coordinated care to patients. CINs share many similarities with accountable care organizations (ACOs) in that both are characterized by a network of physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers voluntarily working together to improve care and lower costs.CINs are networks of providers who share an equal commitment to providing high quality, coordinated care for their communities; they integrate clinical services across multiple providers so that patients have access to a full range of services close to home. Clinical integration is a viable option to position providers for the future realities of healthcare while maintaining focus on current operations. To effectively position for the future realities of healthcare while maintaining focus on current operations, many hospitals and physicians are turning to clinical integration as a viable option to (1) increase quality, (2) reduce cost and waste in the current system to maintain margins, (3) sustain independence for physicians not ready for hospital employment and (4) position providers to take on higher levels of accountability to effectively manage utilization and the health of populations in the future. As CI becomes a strategic imperative in most markets, organizations should keep the following critical success factors in mind to accelerate the implementation of a successful and sustainable CI network: Align your health system objectives with the CI vision and strategy to avoid conflicting messages in your market. Involve physician leaders in the CI development process to gain physician buy-in for program objectives. Express a willingness to create a new partnership model with employed and independent physicians that includes defined roles for physician leadership. Maintain systems that can track and monitor clinical data across the continuum of ambulatory, acute and post-acute services. This allows for more accurate measurement of outcomes and better care for patients. Utilize a scaled approach to develop a comprehensive list of metrics that provide value to multiple stakeholders and positions the CI network for greater levels of accountability. This helps ensure that there is a strong return on investment for all partners involved in the CIN.

2. Clinically integrated networks are playing an increasingly important role in healthcare delivery. They are committed to providing excellent care, improving population health, and lowering healthcare costs. Because of their commitment to communication and care coordination, CINs also help to improve documentation, quality performance, and physician accountability. With an increasing number of value-based contracts, these things help to ensure that providers maintain excellent care quality and risk no decrease in payer reimbursements.