Ambulatory intensive care units are a different iteration of the primary care clinic specifically targeting patients with chronic diseases. Recognizing that these types of patients often account for almost 80 percent of health care spending, the model aims to reduce costs and provide a better and more consistent standard of care for these patients. Constant visits to specialists and the emergency room add up to huge costs for these patients, so the ambulatory ICU model aims to provide them with all the care they need in one place.
These types of clinics focus on developing personalized plans centered around each patient’s needs and lifestyle. They help patients to be more involved in their own health, both holding them accountable and making sure that they get the quality of care they need. Constant hospitalization is not only impractical, but also costly. Meanwhile, patients receive better quality of care and satisfaction at a clinic where the staff knows them well and understands their needs.