Susan Wilkins Public Relations and Special Projects In 2014, Pocahontas Memorial Hospital’s Rural Health Clinic first received recognition as a Patient Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and has just been notified of their continued recognition as such for the upcoming 2021-2022 year. The NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare. The NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations and manages the evolution of HEDIS®, the performance measurement tool used by more than 90 percent of the nation’s health plans. “NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home 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 E. O’Kane. “Recognition shows that PMH’s Rural Health Clinic has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.” The NCQA 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. It was developed to assess whether clinician practices are functioning as medical homes and recognize them for these efforts. The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement. “We are thrilled to have received continued recognition as a Patient Centered Medical Home and welcome all feedback as we continuously strive towards excellence in primary care,” PMH CEO Mary Beth Barr said. The Rural Health Clinic may be reached at 304-799-6200.
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