ECMC Immunodeficiency Services earns National Recognition as NCQA “Patient-Centered Medical Home”
Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation today announced that its Immunodeficiency Services Department recently received formal certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) designating the service as a Patient Center Medical HomeTM (PCMHTM)* – Level 3 on Achievement of Recognition for Systematic use of Patient-Centered, Coordinated Care Management Processes.
The Patient-Centered Medical HomeTM model of care provides primary care that emphasizes care coordination and communication to transform primary care into “what patients want it to be.” Medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve the patient and provider experience of care.
“This certification confirms that ECMC Immunodeficiency Services has the tools, systems and resources provided by qualified and skilled staff members to deliver the care patients expect and prefer,” stated Richard C. Cleland, MPA, FACHE, NHA, President/Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer, ECMC Corporation.
The Patient-Centered Medical Home program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians (ACP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and others in extension of the
Physician Practice Connections Program. It was developed to assess whether physician practices are functioning as medical homes and recognize them for these efforts. The Patient-Centered Medical Home standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement.
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 is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers and researchers. NCQA recognizes the vital role clinicians play in advancing quality. The Recognition Programs assess whether clinicians and practices support the delivery of high-quality care. The Recognition Programs are built on evidence-based, nationally recognized clinical standards of care. The official NCQA directory of Recognized Clinicians can be accessed at http://recognition.ncqa.org
*Patient-Centered Medical HomeTM (PCMHTM) is a trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance.