The West Clinic Earns National Recognition For Quality Care

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The West Clinic of Memphis, TN announced today that it has received the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Recognition as a Patient-Centered Specialty Practice (PCSP) for its responsiveness to patients and medical colleagues, cooperation and integration with other health care groups, and dedication to continuous improvement. As of August 2014, The West Clinic is the only Hematology/ Oncology Practice in Tennessee and only one of four nationwide to attain Level 3 Recognition, the highest awarded by the NCQA.

Earning NCQA Recognition shows that The West Clinic has undergone a rigorous review of its capabilities and is committed to communication, coordination and providing access to care. Recognition signals to primary care practices that The West Clinic is ready to be an effective partner in caring for patients they have in common.

"NCQA Patient-Centered Specialty Practice Recognition distinguishes practices that communicate, collaborate and integrate care in ways that patients want and that improve quality," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "I commend the team at The West Clinic for its achievement, and for its commitment to continuous improvement."

The West Clinic met or exceeded national standards for:

• Communicating with primary care clinicians to exchange key information and establish coordinated care plans.
• Providing timely access to care and clinical advice based on patient need.
• Using a systematic approach to track referrals and coordinate care.
• Measuring and improving performance over time.

According to Lee Schwartzberg, MD, FACP, Medical Director, "The West Clinic is committed to providing the highest quality cancer care and continually strives to find ways to demonstrate leadership in this quality movement. A new and important recognition of quality in cancer care is the NCQA certification as a Patient-Centered Specialty Practice (PCSP). By participating in the NCQA and other organizational performance projects, we are in a mode of continuous quality improvement for our cancer care. Our patients deserve no less."

PCSP recognition is modeled on and complements NCQA's Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition program, the most widely adopted medical home model in the country. A medical home is a way of organizing primary care that uses teamwork and technology to improve quality, improve patients' experience of care and reduce costs. PCSP recognition highlights the "neighbors" in medical specialties that surround and inform the medical home and colleagues in primary care.

For further information, e-mail [email protected].

ABOUT NCQA

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS^®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA's Web site (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices.

ABOUT THE WEST CLINIC/WEST CANCER CENTER
The West Clinic has been the Mid-South's premier provider of cancer care for over 35 years. With a team second to none in breadth of expertise, dedication to excellence, and compassionate care, our multidisciplinary physician group is comprised of specialists in Medical Oncology, Hematology, Gynecologic Oncology, Breast Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Endocrinology, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pain and Palliative Care, and other advanced medical care. With nine locations in Memphis, West TN, AR, and North MS, patients across the Mid-South have greater access to the highest quality care available. The West Clinic's clinical research program, under the direction of Lee S. Schwartzberg, MD, FACP, Medical Director, is internationally renowned. In 2012, The West Clinic formed a partnership with Methodist Healthcare and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), the West Cancer Center in order to transform cancer care in the Mid-South. This novel partnership takes advantage of the strengths and culture of all three partners that are leading to the development of a fully integrated cancer program which will expand our collaborative efforts in cancer research and education along with a vision toward personalized precision cancer care.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Morgan Harriman
Manager, Public Relations
The West Clinic
West Cancer Center
(901) 683-0055 x 1207
[email protected]

SOURCE The West Clinic