Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Receives National Recognition for Integrated Care Model

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Nov 10, 2010, 06:00 ET

HONOLULU, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente Hawaii is celebrating the first step toward becoming the first recognized multi-site patient-centered medical home system in the state. Kaiser Permanente's Hawaii Kai Clinic recently received the National Committee for Quality Assurance's Physician Practice Connections® Patient-Centered Medical Home™ Recognition for its integrated, coordinated care, which supports access, communications and patient involvement.

The PCMH is a model of care that seeks to strengthen physician-patient interaction with coordinated care and a long-term healing relationship. It is gaining acceptance nationally as a best-practice method of care delivery and is a promising tool for successful health care reform implementation.

"Being recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home tells us that we're on the right track," said John Timtim, MD, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Kai Clinic chief. "It shows that physicians at Kaiser Permanente have the tools they need to provide their patients the best possible care."

Kaiser Permanente's model is based on integrated care and standardized systems, such as the fully integrated electronic medical record system. The successful completion of the NCQA's rigorous recognition process at the Hawaii Kai Clinic lays the foundation for all 15 Hawaii clinics to be designated PCMH Level 3 — the highest standard — by the end of the second quarter 2011.

The PPC-PCMH program reflects the input of organizations including the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics and American Osteopathic Association.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii was recently ranked the highest-rated Medicare, Medicaid and commercial plan in the state, according to NCQA Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2010-2011. All three plans are also accredited with NCQA's highest quality rating.

In July of this year, Kaiser Permanente's Moanalua Medical Center was recognized for achievement in using evidence-based guidelines to provide the best possible care to patients through the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines^® program. Kaiser Permanente's Moanalua Medical Center received three awards: Stroke Gold, Heart Failure Silver and Heart Failure Bronze.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and 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. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.

About Kaiser Permanente Hawaii

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has provided total health to the people of Hawaii for more than 50 years. Today it has the largest medical group with over 430 physicians and providers supported by 4,400 nurses and support staff. Care for members is focused on their total health guided by our personal physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our 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. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. Visit kp.org for additional information.

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente