title: Organizing integrated care in a university hospital: application of a conceptual framework.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As a result of New Public Management, a number of industrial models of quality management have been implemented in health care, mainly in hospitals. At the same time, the concept of integrated care has been developed within other parts of the health sector. The aim of the article is to discuss the relevance of integrated care for hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  The discussion is based on application of a conceptual framework outlining a number of organizational models of integrated care. These models are illustrated in a case study of a Danish university hospital implementing a new organization for improving the patient flows of the hospital. The study of the reorganization is based mainly on qualitative data from individual and focus group interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The new organization of the university hospital can be regarded as a matrix structure combining a vertical integration of clinical departments with a horizontal integration of patient flows. This structure has elements of both interprofessional and interorganizational integration. A strong focus on teamwork, meetings and information exchange is combined with elements of case management and co-location.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that integrated care can be a relevant concept for a hospital. Although the organizational models may challenge established professional boundaries and financial control systems, this concept can be a more promising way to improve the quality of care than the industrial models that have been imported into health care. This application of the concept may also contribute to widen the field of integrated care.
authors: Department of Sociology and Social Work, Centre for Organization, Management & Administration, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors: Runo
authors: R
authors: Axelsson
authors: Department of Sociology and Social Work, Centre for Organization, Management & Administration, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors: Susanna Bihari
authors: SB
authors: Axelsson
authors: Department of Business and Management, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors: Jeppe
authors: J
authors: Gustafsson
authors: Department of Sociology and Social Work, Centre for Organization, Management & Administration, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors: Janne
authors: J
authors: Seemann
keywords: integrated care; organizational models; patient flows; process orientation