Three LMH practices earn patient-centric designation

Three Lawrence Memorial Hospital primary care practices recently earned the status of patient-centered medical homes by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Internal Medicine Group, Mt. Oread Family Practice and Total Family Care have been recognized with this elite honor, according to Susan Andersen, patient-centered medical home coordinator for LMH.

Only about 17 percent of primary care physicians in the United States are in a practice that has earned this distinction, which includes the use of evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships. Research shows that patient-centric care improves quality, the patient experience and staff satisfaction, while reducing some health care costs.

“This is very good news for our community,” said Sheryle D’Amico, vice president for the LMH physician division.

She said much credit for these achievements goes to Sherri Vaughn, MD, and to Andersen, as well as the physicians and staff at Internal Medicine Group, Mt. Oread Family Practice and Total Family Care.

D’Amico said that in 2018 other primary care practices owned by LMH will begin working toward the patient-centered medical home designation.

Here are some examples of what practices are doing to earn this distinction:

• Providing access to care by offering same-day appointments, walk-in clinics and expanded hours.
• Practicing team-based care by communicating in huddles or conducting daily pre-visit planning to identify patients with high-risk conditions and unmet preventive and chronic needs.
• Participating in population health management by maintaining registries of high-risk patients, sending reminder letters about overdue immunizations, such as pneumococcal or human papillomavirus.
• Ensuring care management and support as patients set personal health goals at the time of their visits.
• Providing care coordination and transitions by quickly seeing patients after they have had an emergency department visit or they were admitted to LMH.
• Working to improve patients’ diabetes management, control of hypertension and frequency of annual influenza vaccinations.

The practices’ recognition is valid through April 2020.