Emory Healthcare, Stratus strike partnership

Emory University Hospital-Atlanta, GA

Atlanta-based Emory Healthcare and Stratus Healthcare, an affiliation of 21 Georgia hospitals, have struck a new partnership to develop a clinically integrated network and strengthen access to specialty care, Emory announced Monday.

The affiliation will initially focus on four keys areas, including collaboration on the development of integrated care systems and an information technology infrastructure. The affiliation is also expected to streamline access to Emory's quaternary and specialized tertiary services, as well as expedite access to the Emory Clinic's single and multi-specialty clinics. Emory and Stratus physicians will also establish medical record connectivity to ensure coordination of care.

In addition, the partners plan to take advantage of clinical consultation and treatment services through telemedicine technology, as well as Continuing Medical Education programming.

[Also: Jonathan Lewin named CEO at Emory Healthcare, will leave Johns Hopkins post]

Formed in 2013, Stratus Healthcare currently consists of 21 hospitals and approximately 1,500 physicians.

Emory Healthcare is a nonprofit, charitable, academic healthcare system consisting of six hospitals, multiple provider locations and more than 2,000 faculty, employed and network physicians in about 70 specialties.

"With Emory Healthcare's extensive specialized medical services and educational strengths, this enhanced collaborative will assist hospitals, health systems and physicians across the region in working together for the development of consistent best medical practices," said Sen. Dean Burke, R-Maryland, chairman of Stratus Healthcare and chief medical officer for Memorial Hospital and Manor in Bainbridge, Georgia, in a statement. "Shared services will be designed to lower costs while improving value for patients, physicians, providers and payers."

[Also: WellStar backs out of Emory Healthcare merger]

Just over a year ago, in June 2015, the WellStar Health System backed out of a planned merger with Emory Healthcare after talks broke down between the two major Atlanta hospital systems. Though WellStar didn't give a clear answer as to why the discussions fell apart, the health system said it planned on "exploring and launching new opportunities that will drive future growth and stability throughout the state of Georgia." Had they merged, the combined system would have been one of the largest nonprofits in the state.

Twitter: @JELagasse