This article is the result of the theoretical foundation of an ambitious research project. In the first phase, predictors of innovation capacity were found through a systematic literature review (RSL) The second phase created a bridge to transport the singularities of innovation capabilities to the health care organizations; from the review some models were extracted for this identification. From these we included approaches, predictors, and contributions, supported by modulating questions. As a result, we found: 1) A set of predictors that allow to develop the innovation capabilities in the health care organizations; 2) that the levels for the development of such capacities are associated with the organization, the collaborator and the environment; and 3) the main contributions made by each of the contextualized models. We developed a holistic model that serves as input for the development of innovation capacities in this sector. © 2017 Academia Nacional de Medicina. All rights reserved.