IT integration options for integrated delivery systems

Development of an integrated delivery system (IDS) does not necessarily require complete integration of the information technology (IT) functions of the care delivery components that make up the IDS. With an adequate IT infrastructure throughout the IDS, however, the IT-related services and functions that most often can be integrated effectively among the various components of the IDS include: an organizationwide master patient index and clinical data repository, central financial and business office applications, a patient scheduling function, "value-added" services for physicians, decision-support and outcomes applications, and management service organization operations. Challenges to full integration include the need to anticipate future advances in technology, increased capital expenses, lack of sufficient savings to offset increased expenses, internal disruptions during the integration process, and the need for additional staff to support an organizationwide IT network.