Evolve and integrate: a new imperative for ambulatory care.

A highly evolved ambulatory care delivery system possesses four key attributes: high-quality care, exceptional levels of access, outstanding patient and staff satisfaction, and cost-effective delivery of care. Such a system seeks to ease management of the patient care continuum by delivering as many services as possible under one umbrella. High-quality, cost-effective care is achieved through improved care coordination and cost management, resulting from a tight connection between physicians and hospitals and between inpatient and outpatient settings. Improved access is an important means to improving patient satisfaction.