Published on January 30, 2010 at 4:08 AM
St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group (SJHMG) has
been recognized as a Physician Practice Connections® -- Patient-Centered
Medical Home™ (PPC®-PCMH™) by the National Committee for Quality
Assurance (NCQA). The medical group joins an elite group of physicians
recognized by NCQA for preventative care and chronic disease management.
"St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group has always strived to create a 'medical
home' for the community we serve," said Charles Foster, vice president,
administrator, St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group. "We are honored to accept
this prestigious NCQA distinction."
SJHMG earned the distinction by meeting the Physician Practice Connection's
recognition status, emphasizing excellence in the use of systematic,
patient-centered, coordinated care management processes. The physician-led
care team is responsible for providing all the patient's health care needs
and, when needed, coordinating care across the health care system. The
medical home emphasizes enhanced care through open scheduling, expanded
hours and communication between patients, physicians and staff. Quality and
safety are also hallmarks of this patient care model.
"The Patient-Centered Medical Home has the potential to change the
interaction between patients and physicians from a series of episodic
office visits to an ongoing two-way relationship," said NCQA President
Margaret E. O'Kane. "Patients can no longer be silent partners in their
care -- they are active participants in managing their health with a shared
goal of staying as healthy as possible."
The concept of the medical home was introduced in 1967 by the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The objective was to have a central location
for archiving a child's medical record. In 2002, the concept grew to
include operational issues, accessibility, and continuous, comprehensive,
family-centered, coordinated, compassionate and culturally effective care.
In 2004 the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the American
College of Physicians (ACP) developed principles that are used by the NCQA
today.
SOURCE: St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group