ECMC Family Health Center Earns NCQA “Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition”
National organization’s quality standards based on use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement
Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation today announced that the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) informed ECMC that its ECMC Family Health Center has achieved recognition status for “Patient-Centered Medical Home™ (PCMH™), Recognized–Level 3.”* The effective dates of this Recognition begin November 18, 2016 and expire November 18, 2019.
ECMCC President and CEO Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., Ph.D. said, “This is yet another important recognition from a national organization of the high quality care and services our caregivers provide to the citizens of Western New York. As ECMC continues to be a leader in transforming healthcare in Western New York with our partners at the University at Buffalo, the Patient–Centered Medical Home effort demonstrates that we are on the forefront of bringing the right care at the right place at the right time to the patients of our community to improve the health of the community. ”
NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane said, “The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of 21st century primary care that combines access, teamwork and technology to deliver quality care and improve health. NCQA’s PCMH 2014 Recognition shows that the ECMC Family Health Center has tools, systems and resources to provide patients with the right care at the right time.”
ECMC’s Family Health Center in partnership with UB Family Medicine offers access to a diverse group of university physicians for primary care and family medicine. Here, families—including children, adults, and seniors—have easy access to a variety of physicians, including family physicians, pediatricians, and geriatric specialists for senior care. The ECMC Family Health Center offers an on-site lab facility, as well as flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend appointments. Our doctors are on call 24 hours a day, and our patients can also always speak to a nurse by phone during business hours to discuss any health questions and concerns.
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 Home™ (PCMH™) is a trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance.