Baylor Scott & White advances population health initiatives in first year post merger

Dallas-based Baylor Scott & White, the largest health system in Texas, has made great strides since its merger last year, including increasing patient access to quality care and advancing population health initiatives.

In the first year post merger, The Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance — the health system's accountable care organization — decreased hospital admissions among its initial 34,000 members by 4.3 percent in the first 23 months.

In addition, the health system also helped form the Texas Care Alliance, through which nine Texas health systems share clinical and administrative data and best practices to improve quality of care and lower healthcare costs.

In the last year, most of the two merged systems' corporate functions have been integrated, and clinical integration is underway.

"We promised the communities we serve and the state of Texas that the merger would create tangible benefits and keep a laser focus on putting the patient first in everything we do," said Joel Allison, CEO of Baylor Scott & White.

The health system includes 49 hospitals, more than 5,800 active physicians and 35,000 employees.

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