The Shift Towards Outpatient Care

⁣ Health systems across the United ‌States are prioritizing expansion of ambulatory care services ‍as they navigate pressures to reduce​ the cost‌ of‌ care and ⁢deliver⁢ on⁤ value-based care models.this strategic ‌shift reflects a ​broader industry ⁢trend toward providing more care in convenient, ‍lower-cost outpatient settings.

‍ ‌ Even large national ​health systems ⁤are actively strengthening their ambulatory footprints.CommonSpirit Health,based in Chicago‌ and operating in 28 states,is specifically focused on outpatient growth.
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“Our best growth opportunities are in our ambulatory setting,” said Ms. Schorer. ‍”It’s‌ all about balance and ​making sure that we are ​where we need ⁢to be.”

Balancing Acute and Ambulatory Care Investments

This⁣ balance is a critical consideration for Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and‍ strategic leaders as ⁣they plan for the​ future. Ms. Schorer cautioned that health systems cannot realistically ⁤invest in‍ all areas simultaneously. Instead, they must strategically allocate resources to the areas that offer ⁢the greatest benefit to​ patients and the overall⁣ system.
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⁢ “When we ‌start to⁤ expand our ambulatory care footprint,⁢ or⁢ our urgent ‌care, then we have to look ⁣at whether there ⁣are other acute care settings that we need to come up with a partner for to fill that space,” she explained. “It’s really about constantly ⁤having ⁣those conversations and managing how we care for our patients and looking ahead, because there is a need for the acute care space. But ⁣we can’t sustain everything and still ⁣grow in⁢ our ambulatory care setting.We have to start to adjust our focus and​ our spending to make ‌sure that ⁤it still makes ⁣sense for the communities we serve.”

Implications for Healthcare Delivery

‌ The move towards ambulatory ​care ⁢expansion has several key implications⁤ for healthcare⁣ delivery:
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• Increased Access to Care: Ambulatory care centers⁢ are‍ often⁤ more accessible than⁣ traditional hospitals, particularly in rural or​ underserved areas.
• Lower Costs: Outpatient care is generally less expensive than inpatient ​care, contributing to⁢ overall cost reduction.
• Improved ⁣Patient Experiance: Convenient locations and‌ shorter wait times can ‍enhance the patient experience.
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• Strategic Partnerships: Health systems may seek partnerships ⁢to maintain acute care services while focusing resources on ambulatory growth.
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