Many health care institutions identify themselves as having Centers of Excellence. The defining criteria and purpose for the Center of Excellence, however, varies among institutions. A Center of Excellence may be either a stand-alone facility within an academic medical center or health care system or a "virtual" center. A "virtual" center is designed within a hospital setting and demonstrates a cohesive, coordinated flow of patient care of matrixed services and programs within a specific specialty.
Children´s National Medical Center has established seven Centers of Excellence to better enhance communication among staff in all departments by breaking down the barriers that traditionally separate them. Improved communication among the staff who comprises each center fosters better coordination of services, which ultimately translates into more efficient patient care.
