GRAFENWOEHR, Germany -- After nearly a year of hard work, the Grafenwoehr Army Health Clinic has been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as an Army Patient Centered Medical Home.
PCMH is a team approach to healthcare. In a PCMH, Patients are partnered with a team of healthcare professionals which includes their Primary Care Provider, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practice Nurse and Medic. Together over time, the Patient and their health care team, work to treat illness and injuries, promote healthy living and manage ongoing healthcare issues.
"This certification means we have gone through a very rigorous outside evaluation/certification process and are now nationally recognized as providing the highest level standard of primary care to our beneficiaries, said Lt. Col. Tara Hall, Grafenwoehr Army Health Clinic commander. "For our beneficiaries, this recognition can assure them that an unbiased and outside source has reviewed our work flow and processes and ensured that it meets the standard of care. It also recognizes that we have ongoing systems in place that will allow us to continue to improve and update the quality of medical care that we provide."
The NCQA is a non-profit organization that measures the ability of medical facilities to provide quality healthcare through standardized, objective measurement guidelines. NCQA requires recognized facilities to enhance access to care and patients' continuity with their provider teams, keep track of patient data to help manage patients' wellbeing, plan and manage care using evidence-based practices, provide self-care support and community resources, as well as track and coordinate tests, referrals and other care for patients. Finally, clinics have to show that they measure their performance and patients' feedback to continue improving the quality of care.
"This was a monumental effort which involved nearly all staff members in some capacity," Hall said. "The clinic began its transition to the PCMH model approximately seven months ago. The process required meticulous review and scrutiny of our own processes and compared them against the national standard; correcting where necessary and strengthening all processes along the way."
Here's what patients can expect from the Brussels Army Health Clinic Medical Home
• A personal provider. Each patient has an ongoing relationship with a personal Physician, Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner who is trained to provide first contact, continuous and comprehensive care.
• Physician directed medical practice. The personal physician leads a team(s) of individuals at the practice level who collectively take responsibility for ongoing patient care.
• Whole person orientation. The personal provider is responsible for providing all of the patient's health care needs or for arranging care with other qualified professionals.
• Coordinated and Integrated Care. Each patient's care is coordinated and integrated across all elements of the health care system and the patient's community.
• Quality and Safety focus: All members of the healthcare team are focused on ensuring high quality care in the medical home.
• Improved access: In the PCMH, enhanced access to care options are available through open scheduling, same day appointments, secure messaging, and other innovative options for communication between patients, their personal physician and practice staff.
"This recognition belongs not only to the clinic but also to the community and all the garrison resources," Hall said. "None of us can complete our mission alone. Quality health care requires a community of collaboration and fortunately, we have that here at U.S. Army Garrison Tower Barracks."
Grafenwoehr Army Health Clinic is the 12th PCMH in under the Europe Regional Medical Command. Army Medicine?'s goal is to have all of its primary care facilities in the continental United States and overseas achieve NCQA recognition and transform to the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model of care no later than October 1. The transition to the PCMH model of care is part of Army Medicine?'s overall shift from a health care system to a system for health.
Social Sharing