Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at BIDMC and Framingham, Mass.-based MetroWest Medical Center have signed a clinical affiliation agreement.
Here are six things to know about the affiliation.
1. The agreement designates BIDMC and HMFP as MWMC's clinical affiliate for advanced care, giving patients access to BIDMC specialists when needed.
2. Under the agreement, the organizations will collaborate to enhance the range of services offered by MWMC, including primary care, oncology, surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology.
3. BIDMC and MWMC will also link medical record systems to allow for viewing of records by all providers involved in a patient's care no matter the location.
4. MWMC, which includes Framingham Union Hospital in Framingham and Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick, Mass., will remain an independent organization with its own community board and local governance.
5. Overall, officials said the affiliation will expand access to clinical services west of Boston and strengthen the organizations' ability to provide comprehensive and coordinated patient care.
6. The agreement must still be reviewed by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission.
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