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Two SIHF centers honored for patient care

The National Committee for Quality Assurance this month announced that State Street Health Center in East St. Louis and Bethalto Health Center in East Alton., both operated by Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, have received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships.

The recognition reflects a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits, so that patients become active participants in their own health and well-being.

Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system. Research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patient and provider reported experiences of care.

“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 State Street Center and Bethalto Health Center have the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.”

To earn recognition, which is valid for three years, State Street Health Center and Bethalto Health Center demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home. NCQA standards align with the joint principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association.

Larry McCulley, SIHF president and CEO, said, “PCMH Recognition demonstrates both Centers’ leadership as providers of high-quality care. The process of PCMH Recognition enables the Centers to continue strengthening the quality of care and outcomes for their patient populations.”

To find clinicians and their practices with NCQA PCMH Recognition, visit http://recognition.ncqa.org.

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