USMD Earns National Recognition for Providing Patient-Centered Care
The National Committee for Quality Assurance Patient Centered Medical Home Program Recognizes 27 USMD Primary Care Clinics
Jul 26, 2017, 08:00 ET
IRVING, Texas, July 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- USMD Holdings, Inc., a physician-led integrated health care system, announced that each of its 27 primary care clinics received recognition as a level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH).
Part of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the PCMH program recognizes primary care clinics that successfully demonstrate and use evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated patient care, long-term patient relationships and patient-physician partnerships. USMD received level 3 recognition—the highest level attainable—and the designation is valid for three years. This is the third three-year NCQA PCMH designation achieved by USMD primary care clinics.
The PCMH program emphasizes a care delivery model in which treatment is coordinated through patients' primary care physicians to ensure patients understand their care options and decisions, and receive the necessary care when and where they need it. The program focuses on coordination and communication between patients and primary care physicians in an effort to transform primary care into the best experience possible for patients. It also identifies and encourages practices that promote partnerships between patients and their physicians. Instead of treating patients with several episodic office visits, each patient's care is managed by a physician-led team that provides all health care needs and coordinates treatment across a health care system – thus helping patients achieve and maintain good health.
"The Patient Centered Medical Home Program transforms primary care into what patients want and need it to be. Research has shown that medical homes can lead to higher-quality care and lower overall health care costs while improving patients' and care providers' satisfaction and experiences," said Richard C. Johnston, M.D., chief executive officer and chief physician officer of USMD. "We are grateful for the recognition we have received from the PCMH Program. Our clinics and employees share USMD's commitment to ensuring our patients receive quality, effective and compassionate care."
NCQA standards are aligned with the joint principles of the Patient Centered Medical Home established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association. To earn PCMH recognition, primary care clinics must successfully demonstrate the ability to meet the program's key elements, which include:
- Patient-centered access: Accommodate patients' needs during office hours and after, and provide medical home information to patients.
- Team-based care: Provide team-based care, engage all practice team members and meet patients' cultural and linguistic needs.
- Population health management: Collect and use data for population health management.
- Care management and support: Use evidence-based guidelines for preventive, acute and chronic care management.
- Care coordination and care transitions: Track and coordinate tests, referrals and care transitions.
- Performance measurement and quality improvement: Use performance and experience data for continuous improvement.
"Our PCMH recognition affirms that we are providing the right care at the right time and in the right setting. We will continue to focus on providing high-quality, highly coordinated and efficient care to patients across the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex," said Dr. Johnston.
To learn more about USMD, visit www.USMDinc.com.
About USMD Holdings, Inc.
USMD is a physician-led, integrated health system committed to exemplary patient care. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, USMD is part of OptumCare and serves the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area with more than 250 physicians and associate practitioners, and provides health care services to patients in more than 20 different specialties at its two hospitals, one cancer treatment center and nearly 50 physician clinics, many of which are multi-specialty. All 27 of USMD's primary care clinics have been accredited by the Patient Centered Medical Home Program, a recognition program that is part of the National Committee for Quality Assurance. This recognition means that USMD's primary care clinics successfully display and utilize evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated patient care and long-term patient relationships. For more information about USMD, visit www.USMDinc.com.
SOURCE USMD Holdings, Inc.