Structuring effective IDS-AMC affiliations.

IDSs able to incorporate academic medical centers (AMCs) into their organizations can realize several benefits, including access to a broad spectrum of specialty services and clinical resources that can be used to develop clinical protocols and reduce variations in care delivery practices across the system. Before pursuing such a strategy, however, IDSs also must be ready to assume the challenges associated with managing AMCs. To effectively incorporate an AMC, an IDS will need to undertake cost-control initiatives within the AMC, implement an enterprisewide information system, and transform the AMC's culture to reflect a team-oriented, community-focused approach. Most importantly, the enterprisewide information system should provide a means to seamlessly integrate the AMC into the larger organization.