title: Building integrated care systems: a case study of Bidasoa Integrated Health Organisation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper analyses the implementation of integrated care policies in the Basque Country through the deployment of an Integrated Health Organisation in Bidasoa area during the period 2011-2014. Structural, functional and clinical integration policies have been employed with the aim to deliver integrated and person-centred care for patients, especially for those living with chronic conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  This organisational case study used multiple data sources and methods in a pragmatic and reflexive manner to build a picture of the organisational development over a 4-year period. In order to measure the progress of integration three concepts have been measured: (i) readiness for chronicity measured with Assessment of Readiness for Chronicity in Healthcare Organisations tool; (ii) collaboration between clinicians from different care levels measured with the D'Amour Questionnaire, and (iii) overall impact of integration through several indicators based on the Triple Aim Framework.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The measurement of organisational readiness for chronicity showed improvements in five of the six areas under evaluation. Similarly the collaboration between professionals of different care levels showed a steady improvement in each of the 10 items. Furthermore, the Triple Aim-based indicators showed a better experience of care in terms of patients' perceptions of care coordination; a reduction in hospital utilisation, particularly for patients with complex chronic conditions; and cost-containment in terms of per capita expenditure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a significant amount of data that shows that Bidasoa Integrated Health Organisation has progressed in terms of delivering integrated care for chronic conditions with a positive impact on several Triple Aim outcomes.
authors.affiliation: O+Berri, Basque Institute for Healthcare Innovation, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: Nuria Toro
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Polanco
authors.affiliation: Quality Assurance and Procurement, Ministry of Health, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: Iñaki Berraondo
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Zabalegui
authors.affiliation: Bidasoa Integrated Health Organisation, Osakidetza, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: Itziar Pérez
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Irazusta
authors.affiliation: Deusto Business School, University of Deusto, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: Roberto Nuño
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Solinís
authors.affiliation: O+Berri, Basque Institute for Healthcare Innovation, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Río Cámara
keywords: Basque Country; Chronic Care Model; Triple Aim; health organisation; integrated care