National quality committee recognizes UT Physicians family medicine clinic

Posted on Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

The UT Physicians Family Medicine clinic in the Texas Medical Center has received a special designation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a model for patient-centered care.
The Family Medicine clinic was designated a NCQA Recognized Patient-Centered Medical Home, a model of healthcare delivery that aims to improve quality and efficiency.

“This honor is the result of the hard work of everyone here on the staff,” says Carlos Moreno, M.D., UT Physicians family medicine physician.“This recognizes our efforts to provide high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered care to all of our patients.”

To earn this recognition, the clinic demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, including written standards for patient access and enhanced communications; appropriate use of charting tools to track patients and organize clinical information; responsive care management techniques with an emphasis on preventive care; adaptation to patients’ cultural and linguistic needs; use of information technology for prescriptions and care management; use of evidence-based guidelines to treat chronic conditions; systematic tracking of referrals and test results; and measurement and reporting of clinical and service performance.

In the patient-centered model, each patient’s care is managed by a physician-led care team, which provides for all healthcare needs and coordinates treatment. Expanded hours and appropriate use of proven health information systems are part of the mix. Same-day appointments are normally available.

“We credit our electronic health record system in playing a big role in the Patient-Centered Medical Home designation,” says Olasunkanmi Adeyinka, M.D., UT Physicians family medicine clinic director.

She cited Akber Mazhar, physician office administrator, and Liza Rodriguez, clinic coordinator, as two people key to achieving this standard. “Akber was instrumental in ensuring that the practice’s policies, procedures, and processes reinforced the necessary guidelines as prescribed by NCQA to achieve this prestigious recognition. Liza played a key role in ensuring chart data for our patients met required quality thresholds. The combination of effective electronic medical record utilization and the clinic’s leadership contributed to the practice’s transformation, allowing us to weave exceptional quality care into the fabric of our clinical processes and operations.”

UT Family Medicine is in the UT Professional Building, 6410 Fannin, Suite 170, and may be reached at 832.325.6500.

— Robert Cahill, Office of Advancement, Media Relations

The medical group practice of The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, UT Physicians offers the most advanced technologies with a personalized touch from its flagship location in the Texas Medical Center and at a growing number of clinics throughout the greater Houston area.

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