Clinical integration at ground zero: perceptions of patients and families.

As an alternative to the administrative and management views of clinical integration, the perceptions and current research of patients and their families about integration initiatives are presented at "ground zero," i.e., the caregiving level. If there is no integration at ground zero, the other levels are of little merit. Contrary to the pervading opinion, clinical integration is not a value-added endeavor to boost satisfaction scores of patients and families or to make a health care system look good to regulators. Rather, clinical integration is fundamental to the precision, efficiency, and effectiveness of care delivery. Examples of the need for integration spanning situations from critical care to self-care are described.