Page 33 - Inspire Health July/August 2015
P. 33
es are supposed to be who make an appointment with a doctor
comfortable places where you aren’t feeling well.”
can grow to your full potential
in a neighborhood that’s part The problem with that scenario is once
the patient gets care and feels better, he no
of a larger community. longer visits the doctor’s office.
Now think of that in terms of health The patient-centered medical home
care and you have the patient-centered idea encompasses all the health care a
medical home concept of providing health person needs between birth and death,
care. It’s a movement gaining momentum including wellness services and screening
as the health-care industry looks for ways tests like colonoscopies and mammograms.
to streamline while improving overall It’s a much more proactive and
patient care. preventive-care approach to health care
A quick look at the number of primary for the patient, says Dr. Michael A. Abgott,
care physicians and offices applying for of the South Mountain Family Practice in
recognition from the nonprofit National Bethlehem. Abgott is also vice president/
Committee for Quality Assurance shows medical director, Primary Care Division, St.
how the concept is taking off. Luke’s University Health Network.
According to NCQA, more than The family doctor is a part of the
27,500 clinicians and 5,700 sites across practice’s team of care coordinators
the country have earned the that “huddles” at the beginning of Dean Evans
Dr. Michael A. Abgott
PCMH recognition for which each day to preview that day’s
more than 150 practices appointments to address each
apply monthly. patient’s needs.
In the Lehigh Valley, St. “It’s preventive planning,”
Luke’s University Health Abgott says.
Network has focused Another benefit of
on what it takes the patient-centered
to get its physician medical home system is
practices recognized that patients follow
by NCQA. Currently almost 50 of its through more with tests and specialist
affiliated doctors’ offices are recognized as appointments. Previously, it was left up to
NCQA Level III, the organization’s highest the patient to schedule an appointment
degree of recognition. and keep it. Under the medical home
“By emphasizing access, health IT program, the patient goes through central
and clinician-patient partnerships, these scheduling for the appointment and, Evans
new standards raise the bar in defining says, St. Luke’s has seen a huge jump in
high-quality care,” says NCQA President patients keeping their appointments.
Margaret E. O’Kane in a prepared “When we left it to the patients to
statement.The nonprofit’s three-level follow up ... the compliance rate was less
medical home recognition program is than 50 percent of the time,” he says.“Now
widely used nationwide and was revamped we’re proactively managing that process.”
in 2011 to align with federal requirements. Compliance rates have jumped
What that means for patients is upwards of 90 percent, Evans says.
proactive, responsive care from their health “The patient needs
care providers. to be an active
The patient-centered medical home participant in their
concept is a fundamental shift in the way care. ...We don’t
health care is provided to the consumer, leave a lot
says Dean Evans, President, St. Luke’s of things to
Physician Group. chance.”
“Our current system of delivering care
is based upon the concept of volume and
based upon illness,” he says.“Most people
comfortable places where you aren’t feeling well.”
can grow to your full potential
in a neighborhood that’s part The problem with that scenario is once
the patient gets care and feels better, he no
of a larger community. longer visits the doctor’s office.
Now think of that in terms of health The patient-centered medical home
care and you have the patient-centered idea encompasses all the health care a
medical home concept of providing health person needs between birth and death,
care. It’s a movement gaining momentum including wellness services and screening
as the health-care industry looks for ways tests like colonoscopies and mammograms.
to streamline while improving overall It’s a much more proactive and
patient care. preventive-care approach to health care
A quick look at the number of primary for the patient, says Dr. Michael A. Abgott,
care physicians and offices applying for of the South Mountain Family Practice in
recognition from the nonprofit National Bethlehem. Abgott is also vice president/
Committee for Quality Assurance shows medical director, Primary Care Division, St.
how the concept is taking off. Luke’s University Health Network.
According to NCQA, more than The family doctor is a part of the
27,500 clinicians and 5,700 sites across practice’s team of care coordinators
the country have earned the that “huddles” at the beginning of Dean Evans
Dr. Michael A. Abgott
PCMH recognition for which each day to preview that day’s
more than 150 practices appointments to address each
apply monthly. patient’s needs.
In the Lehigh Valley, St. “It’s preventive planning,”
Luke’s University Health Abgott says.
Network has focused Another benefit of
on what it takes the patient-centered
to get its physician medical home system is
practices recognized that patients follow
by NCQA. Currently almost 50 of its through more with tests and specialist
affiliated doctors’ offices are recognized as appointments. Previously, it was left up to
NCQA Level III, the organization’s highest the patient to schedule an appointment
degree of recognition. and keep it. Under the medical home
“By emphasizing access, health IT program, the patient goes through central
and clinician-patient partnerships, these scheduling for the appointment and, Evans
new standards raise the bar in defining says, St. Luke’s has seen a huge jump in
high-quality care,” says NCQA President patients keeping their appointments.
Margaret E. O’Kane in a prepared “When we left it to the patients to
statement.The nonprofit’s three-level follow up ... the compliance rate was less
medical home recognition program is than 50 percent of the time,” he says.“Now
widely used nationwide and was revamped we’re proactively managing that process.”
in 2011 to align with federal requirements. Compliance rates have jumped
What that means for patients is upwards of 90 percent, Evans says.
proactive, responsive care from their health “The patient needs
care providers. to be an active
The patient-centered medical home participant in their
concept is a fundamental shift in the way care. ...We don’t
health care is provided to the consumer, leave a lot
says Dean Evans, President, St. Luke’s of things to
Physician Group. chance.”
“Our current system of delivering care
is based upon the concept of volume and
based upon illness,” he says.“Most people
