Newswise — (PHILADELPHIA)—The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) today announced that Thomas Jefferson University has received NCQA Recognition as a Patient-Centered Specialty Practice (PCSP) for its responsiveness to patients and medical colleagues, cooperation and integration with other health care groups, and dedication to continuous improvement.

Two of Jefferson’s practices, Medical Oncology Associates and Pulmonary Medicine Associates, have received the designation and are among the first in the State of Pennsylvania to be ranked a level III PCSP (the highest level).

"In securing the Patient Centered Specialty Practice Level III certification from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, Jefferson Medical Oncology Associates has taken a significant step in demonstrating our commitment to providing the highest level of patient centered care to the oncology community in the tri-state area,” says Andrew Chapman, Director of Jefferson’s Division of Regional Cancer Care and co-director of the Jefferson Senior Adult Oncology Center.

Only about a year old, the PCSP recognition is modeled on and complements NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition program, the most widely adopted medical home model in the country. A medical home is a way of organizing primary care that uses teamwork and technology to improve quality, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs.

In order to receive PCSP recognition a specialty practice must demonstrate the ability of physicians to coordinate care among various specialties, track patient care after a patient leaves the office and ensure that follow up care is provided, among other measures. The recognition aims to signal to primary care practices that Jefferson’s specialty practices will be effective partners in caring for patients they have in common.

"As physicians working in a NCQA Recognized Patient Centered Medical Home, we realize the importance that a strong clinical relationship with other specialists will result in the best possible care for our patients,” says George Valko M.D., The Gustave and Valla Amsterdam Professor of Family and Community Medicine and Vice Chair for Clinical Program and Quality at Thomas Jefferson University. “That the Department of Medical Oncology and Division of Pulmonary Medicine have both achieved NCQA recognition for their specialty care is a validation of their cutting edge medical care and collaboration and gives us confidence that our patients sent there will be given the best care"

“NCQA Patient-Centered Specialty Practice Recognition distinguishes practices that communicate, collaborate and integrate care in ways that patients want and that improve quality,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “I commend the team at Thomas Jefferson University for its achievement, and for its commitment to continuous improvement.” For more information about Thomas Jefferson University, please contact Edyta Zielinska, [email protected], 215-955-5291For further information about the NCQA, e-mail [email protected].

About JeffersonThomas Jefferson University (TJU), the largest freestanding academic medical center in Philadelphia, is nationally renowned for medical and health sciences education and innovative research. Founded in 1824, TJU includes Jefferson Medical College (JMC), one of the largest private medical schools in the country and ranked among the nation’s best medical schools by U.S. News & World Report, and the Jefferson Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions, Population Health and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Jefferson University Physicians is TJU’s multi-specialty physician practice consisting of the full-time faculty of JMC. Thomas Jefferson University partners with its clinical affiliate, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals.

ABOUT NCQANCQA is a private, non-profit 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 Web site (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices.

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