Newswise — UT Physicians Bayshore Family Practice Center has earned Level 3 recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) by the highly respected National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
The PCMH is a primary care delivery model that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care and patient experience while reducing costs. The distinction acknowledges use of evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term, participative relationships.
“This is an important credential as it recognizes UT Physicians as a leading institution for reorganizing and coordinating primary care that maximizes efficiency and continuity across a medical neighborhood,” said Logan Thornton, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., assistant director for the UT Physicians Healthcare Transformation Initiatives.
In a patient-centered medical home, each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led 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. A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine by Harvard researchers linked a patient-centered medical home to better medication adherence.
“We are excited about this achievement,” said family medicine physician Thomas Murphy, M.D., the medical director of the Bayshore Family Practice Center and the assistant dean of community affairs and health policy at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). “Only 15 percent of practices across the country have achieved this distinction. The NCQA has recognized that this UT Physicians center offers patient care that is comprehensive, coordinated and patient-focused based on the best practices for health care delivery.”
UT Physicians is the clinical practice of McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.
The NCQA has three levels of recognition ranging from Level 1 to Level 3, which is the highest. Achieving recognition requires meeting elements that include enhancing access and continuity, identifying and managing patient populations, planning and managing care, providing self-care support and community resources, tracking and coordinating care and measuring and improving performance.
NCQA standards are aligned 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. The PCMH recognition is valid for three years. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NCQA seal is a widely recognized symbol of quality for consumers and employers, signifying that an organization is well-managed and delivers high-quality care and service.
The UT Physicians Bayshore Family Practice Center is located at 11452 Space Center Boulevard. The clinic is staffed by physicians with expertise in family medicine, internal medicine, psychology and psychiatry.
About UT Physicians
UT Physicians, part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), is one of Houston’s largest physician practices, offering multi-disciplinary medical care at its flagship location in the Texas Medical Center, as well as at community-based health centers throughout Southeast Texas. The team of internationally recognized medical experts includes more than 1,000 doctors certified in 80 medical specialties and subspecialties. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 888-4UT-DOCS.
About NCQA
NCQA is a private, nonprofit 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’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more-informed health care choices. NCQA can be found online at ncqa.org, on Twitter @ncqa, on Facebook at facebook.com/NCQA.org/ and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.
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