Press Ganey, American Medical Group Association Join Forces to Improve Accountable Care Organization Patient Experience

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Medical Group Association (AMGA) has selected Press Ganey Associates, Inc. as its official survey administrator for its Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Collaborative. Press Ganey will work with AMGA and its Development and Implementation Collaboratives to develop survey content, methodology, and recommended distribution methods to assess the effectiveness of coordination of care. In addition, Press Ganey will collect and analyze the ACO survey results and work closely with AMGA and its medical group members to develop and implement improvement initiatives to maximize the efficiency and patient centered focus on care delivery.

"We are pleased to collaborate with Press Ganey as we aid our members in becoming high-performing care organizations that will qualify as ACOs. Recent reform legislation has inspired members to use the ACO model as an impetus to transform the delivery and financing of care," said Don Fisher, President and CEO of AMGA. "Press Ganey's experience measuring and improving the patient experience across the continuum will help our members realize their goals to transform their organizations into successful ACOs providing the best in quality care and experience."

"With the Affordable Care Act positioning Accountable Care Organizations as a means for better managing healthcare costs and delivering better care, a priority exists for better measuring and improving the patient experience across the continuum of care delivery," said Richard B. Siegrist, Jr. CEO of Press Ganey. "Press Ganey's experience with public reporting, extensive database development and management, and working with healthcare providers across the continuum of care, from the primary care physician to the hospital, we have the qualifications to work with the AMGA to develop this new, essential tool for medical practices. The AMGA, as one of the author's of the ACO legislation, is the perfect partner to reach a wide network of medical practice groups focused on improving care for patients through an ACO model."

ACOs are one of the key components of recent healthcare reform legislation that address the two greatest challenges facing US health care: unsustainable escalation of costs that threaten the affordability of care, and fragmented, poorly coordinated care with little accountability for managing the outcomes of the entire patient experience. The solution being developed by Press Ganey and AMGA will help to address these challenges and also provide improvement solutions.

Press Ganey Associates, Inc.

Recognized as a leader in performance improvement for 25 years, Press Ganey partners with more than 10,000 health care organizations to create and sustain high-performing organizations, and, ultimately, improve the overall health care experience. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions to help clients operate efficiently, improve quality, increase market share and optimize reimbursement. Press Ganey works with clients from across the continuum of care – hospitals, medical practices, home health agencies and other providers – including 50% of all U.S. hospitals. For more information, visit www.pressganey.com.

About AMGA

The American Medical Group Association represents medical groups, including some of the nation's largest, most prestigious medical practices, independent practice associations, and integrated healthcare delivery systems. AMGA's mission is to improve health care for patients by supporting multispecialty medical groups and other organized systems of care. The members of AMGA deliver health care to approximately 109 million patients in 49 states, nearly 1 in 3 Americans. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, AMGA is the strategic partner for medical groups, providing a comprehensive package of benefits, including political advocacy, educational and networking programs and publications, benchmarking data services, and financial and operations assistance. www.amga.org

SOURCE Press Ganey Associates, Inc.