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North Coast Health Ministry Achieves Recognition as a Patient Centered Medical Home

North Coast Health Ministry has achieved recognition as a National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient-Centered Medical Home 2011, level 3, becoming the first free clinic in Ohio to attain this distinction.

The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home 2011 standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement. 

“The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of 21st century primary care that combines access, teamwork and technology to deliver quality care and improve health,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane.  “NCQA’s PCMH 2011 Recognition shows that North Coast Health Ministry has the tools, systems and resources to provide their patients with the right care at the right time.”

A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that medical homes improve clinical outcomes and reduce costs.  Putting in place the standards required for PCHM recognition was one of NCHM’s highest strategic priorities of the past year.

“Achieving recognition as a patient centered medical home is an important validation of the steps we have taken to ensure comprehensive, continuous care for our low-income uninsured patients,” said North Coast Health Ministry Executive Director Lee Elmore.  “Most of our patients have chronic diseases, and the standards and procedures required for recognition as a patient-centered medical home ensure that the care we are providing for them results in the best outcomes and reduces unnecessary costs.”

Earning the recognition as a patient centered medical home was a process that involved the entire NCHM clinical team and was supported by practice transformation coaches provided by Better Health Greater Cleveland.

“The patient centered medical home is a team-based model of care,” said NCHM Medical Director Philip Tomsik, MD.  “While we have always considered ourselves ‘patient-centered,’ this distinction validates that the care we are providing to some of the most vulnerable in our community is of the highest quality possible.”