Baylor Family Medicine earns recognition for quality care

Baylor Family Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine has been recognized for its efforts to improve quality and efficiency of care by the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Physician Practice Connections Patient-Centered Medical Home program.

The three Baylor Family Medicine clinics were recognized because of their efforts for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term relationships between doctor and patient. Rather than just treating patients, doctors and staff work to coordinate care that supports prevention, health and healing.

“Evolving primary care practices into true Patient Centered Medical Homes is a long journey in continuous quality improvement for patients. The Committee’s designation shows that we have the tools, systems, and resources to provide our patients with the right care at the right time,” said Dr. Stephen Spann, professor and chair of Family and Community Medicine at BCM.

Practices given this recognition demonstrate the benchmarks of patient centered care, including open scheduling, expanded hours and appropriate use of health information systems which include the use of an electronic medical record, coordinated treatments across various specialists and healthcare systems, e-prescribing and an internet patient portal.

Nationwide, early evaluations of the program have shown promising results in improving overall care quality and lowering costs by increasing access to more efficient, more coordinated care. By avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits, these early results are producing savings for payers, purchasers, and patients.

The key program components include: responsive care management, emphasizing preventive care, enhanced communications with patients and evidence-based guidelines for treatment of chronic conditions, use of information technology for prescriptions and care management, adaptation to patient’s cultural and linguistic needs, systematic tracking of referrals and test results, and measurement and reporting of clinical and service performance.

To receive this recognition, which is valid for three years, Baylor Family Medicine had to meet the program’s key elements. These standards are established in conjunction with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association.