The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) now recognizes Nebraska Medicine’s primary care clinics as Level III patient-centered medical homes, the highest quality level of achievement. The NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality.
The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics and American Osteopathic Association, and others. It was developed to assess whether clinician practices are functioning as medical homes and to recognize them for these efforts.
The patient-centered medical home model of care emphasizes the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement. It allows our patients to not just see a primary care provider at each visit, but to receive care from an entire team, including physicians, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, social workers, educators, and care coordinators.
“NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret O’Kane. “Recognition shows that Nebraska Medicine has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.”
This recognition means Nebraska Medicine’s outpatient clinics build better relationships between patients and their clinical care teams. Research shows that PCMHs improve quality, the patient experience and staff satisfaction, while reducing health care costs.
“The work that went into this achievement is significant, but ultimately it comes down to being what’s best for our patients, said Ann Blanchard, director of ambulatory clinics at Nebraska Medicine. “By achieving this recognition, we’re placing our primary care clinics among an elite group that has demonstrated its commitment to advancing quality, patient safety and best practice in primary care.”
The full list of Nebraska Medicine clinics which are NCQA-recognized as Level III patient-centered medical homes can be found here.