Denver Health: a model for the integration of a public hospital and community health centers

Ann Intern Med. 2003 Jan 21;138(2):143-9. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-138-2-200301210-00016.

Abstract

Two major pillars of the United States' safety net system are urban public hospitals and community health centers. Their common mission is to care for the uninsured and other vulnerable populations. However, in most communities these important components of the safety net remain organizationally and functionally separate, which inhibits the continuum of care and creates substantial inefficiencies. Denver Health is a long-standing vertically and horizontally integrated system for vulnerable populations. The integration benefits the patient and the system and serves as a model for the U.S. safety net. This paper outlines the benefits of integration to the patient, provider, and health system, using data from the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems, the Bureau of Primary Health Care, and Denver Health.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Colorado
  • Community Health Centers / economics
  • Community Health Centers / history
  • Community Health Centers / organization & administration*
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / economics
  • Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / organization & administration*
  • Financing, Government
  • History, 20th Century
  • Hospitals, Public / economics
  • Hospitals, Public / history
  • Hospitals, Public / organization & administration*
  • Hospitals, Urban / economics
  • Hospitals, Urban / history
  • Hospitals, Urban / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Insurance, Health
  • Medically Uninsured