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Clinics Earn Medical Home Designation
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Media Releases
Froedtert & The Medical College Clinics Earn Medical Home Designation
Milwaukee, Wis. (May 2, 2012) — All nine Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin primary care clinics have received Level 3 (highest level) designation as patient-centered medical homes by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
The three-year designation recognizes programs that use evidence-based, patient-centered processes to address a patient’s entire range of health care needs, emphasizing care coordination, disease prevention and early detection. Using a team approach led by the patient’s primary care physician, the medical home model of care fosters the development of long-term relationships between a care team, patients and their families.
“For patients, having a medical home means a continuing relationship with a trusted doctor and a care team that can be counted on to coordinate care that is effective and appropriate,” said Karen Fickel, MD, executive director, Froedtert & The Medical College Primary Care Clinics. “This approach puts patients on a cost-effective path to better health, because it encourages them to get involved in preventive care and proactive management of chronic illnesses. These are proven strategies to reduce health care costs and improve health and quality of life.”
The nine primary care clinics that received the NCQA medical home designation are: Community Memorial Medical Commons, W129 N7055 Northfield Drive, Menomonee Falls; General Internal Medicine Clinic, 9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wauwatosa; Greenfield Highlands Health Center, 4455 S. 108th St., Greenfield; Lincoln Avenue Clinic, 11211 W. Lincoln Avenue, West Allis; Plank Road Clinic, 1155 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa; Sargeant Health Center, 840 N. 87th St., Wauwatosa; Springdale Health Center, 21700 Intertech Drive-Gateway Business Park, Brookfield; Sunnyslope Health Center, 1350 Sunny Slope Road, Brookfield; and Westbrook Health Center, 2315 E. Moreland Blvd, Brookfield.
In a patient-centered medical home, patients take an active role in their care.
Communication between patients and the care team is a key element. Other aspects include education, self-management, goal-setting, prevention and the use of evidence-based guidelines for the care of chronic conditions. To qualify as a Level 3 NCQA medical home, a program must meet several key requirements, including:
- Written standards for patient access and enhanced communications
- Appropriate use of charting tools to track patients and organize clinical information
- Responsive care management techniques with an emphasis on preventive care
- Adaption to patients’ cultural and linguistic needs
- Use of information technology for prescriptions and care management
- Use of evidence-based guidelines to treat chronic conditions
- Systematic tracking of referrals and test results
- Measurement and reporting of clinical and service performance
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