Health system mergers and acquisitions indicate a shift toward retail clinics, physician practices and digital resources, according to an article on the Health Facility Management website.
"The shift in hospitals toward vertical integration is a response to the need to form new delivery system models that allow for greater coordination of care," said a spokeswoman for the American Hospital Association.
For instance, Providence Health & Services and Walgreens in Portland and Seattle are partnering to integrate 25 store-based clinics into the system's primary care model.
This shift can lower risk, improve cost structures and capture more of the payer dollars, as well as serve customers better, the article said.
How Curated Art Elevates Senior Care Spaces
The CDC's Guide to Hand Hygiene in Healthcare
Dana-Farber, BIDMC Launch Construction of Dedicated Adult Cancer Hospital
5 Components of an Integrated Safety Culture in Healthcare
NYC Opens Therapeutic Housing Unit for Medically Vulnerable Detainees