Drs. John F. Anderson, David J. Ballard, Carl E. Couch, and Peter A. Dysert II discuss clinical transformation with the editor

On January 5, 2004, Baylor Health Care System (BHCS) formally announced a $119 million investment to redesign its clinical processes and to link clinical information throughout its network of 11 hospitals, 69 clinic sites, and numerous physician practices. This comprehensive effort is the first of its kind in North Texas. The purpose of clinical transformation, which is enabled by technology, is to improve quality of care, including delivering that care in the safest manner possible. The planning of the project was initiated in 2002. The initiative will be implemented initially in 2004 at the new Baylor Hospital at Plano and in Baylor's HealthTexas Provider Network and will be fully deployed throughout BHCS by 2011.