Kaiser Permanente First Multi-Site Health Care Organization in Hawaii Recognized by NCQA for Patient-Centered Medical Home Model

All 16 Primary Care Clinics Receive Level 3 Recognition, the Highest Level

News provided by

Sep 15, 2011, 07:15 ET

HONOLULU, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente announced today that all 16 of its primary care clinics in Hawaii, and their primary care providers, have received the National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) Physician Practice Connections® (PPC) Patient-Centered Medical Home™ (PCMH) Recognition at Level 3, the highest level, for its integrated and coordinated care delivery system, which supports quality, access, continuity of care, and better patient involvement. With this accomplishment, Kaiser Permanente becomes the first multi-site PCMH health care organization in Hawaii to be recognized by NCQA.

"Accrediting organizations across the country like NCQA recognize that physician-led health care teams – partnering and communicating across facilities and settings – can help to coordinate care much better, support patients in a more meaningful way, and continuously improve quality and service," said Geoffrey Sewell, MD, FACP, President and Executive Medical Director of the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group. "While the concept of PCMH may be new to others, Kaiser Permanente has embraced this integrated approach to providing comprehensive care to our patients and members for more than 50 years."

PCMH is a model of care that seeks to strengthen physician-patient interaction with coordinated care and a long-term healing relationship. This coordinated approach is lead by a patient's primary care provider, but also enlists the skills and knowledge of a team of health care professionals from nurses and nutritionists to specialists and pharmacists. The delivery of care is facilitated by information technology, electronic health records, and system-best practices to assure patients receive care when and where they need it, and when and where they want it. PCMH is gaining acceptance nationally as a best-practice method of care delivery and is a promising tool for successful health care reform implementation. The model encourages measurable quality and prevention by focusing on outcomes rather than volume. Research shows that integrated care is capable of improving clinical outcomes, expanding access to care outside of the usual office setting, improving patient and staff satisfaction, and reducing health care costs.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has provided total health to the people of Hawaii for more than 50 years. Care for members is focused on their total health being guided by their personal physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Expert care and medical teams are supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Its physicians are members of the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group, the largest multi-specialty physician group practice in the state of Hawaii. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. Visit kp.org for additional information.

Laura M. Lott
808-432-5916
808-343-2406 (mobile)
[email protected]

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente