Healthcare in the U.S. varies from zip code to zip code, with mere blocks potentially making the difference in costs and quality of care. To combat the inequity this can cause within their communities, some hospitals and providers are pushing for more standardized care through clinically integrated networks.
Clinically integrated networks are an arrangement of hospitals and providers that share protocols, patient information and performance goals in an effort to bring coordinated, quality care to members at a lower cost. Unlike other networks, such as a preferred provider organization or a health maintenance organization, CINs operate in collaboration with different hospitals and providers of various medical disciplines to communicate and coordinate with each other on behalf of the patient.
