Marine Corps Air Station Yuma -- Naval Branch Health Clinic Yuma was recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a level three Patient-Centered Medical Home, Dec. 31, 2012.
"The patient will notice a different level of care in a PCMH, although much of the PCMH teamwork goes on behind the scenes,” said Lt. Cmdr. Greg Whaley, the department head of Medical Home Port, NBHC Yuma and an Irving, Texas native. “The patient will be able to get a same day appointment, have multiple avenues to communicate with the team including secure e-mail, have a dedicated nurse and team that stay the same visit after visit, have a personal physician who knows the patient and his or her family.”
The NCQA PCMH concept can be described as a new patient-centered care model that reorganizes primary care to improve access, care coordination, quality of care and patient satisfaction.
“Evidence shows that implementing the PCMH model in primary care has reduced hospitalizations, emergency room visits and specialist services, and thus costs,” said Cmdr. Andrew Archila, the officer-in-charge of NBHC Yuma and a native of Kingwood, Texas. “Additionally, it has led to improved morbidity and mortality rates. It also improves patient satisfaction. In fact, the strong overall evidence of success has led to several PCMH pilot projects in almost every state.”
There are three levels of NCQA PCMH recognition; each level reflects the degree to which a practice meets the requirements. Level three is the highest level a practice can achieve.
“It really attests to the quality of care we provide to our patients,” added Archila. “What I am particularly proud of is that at this time we are the only recognized PCMH in Yuma County, Arizona.”
Preparations for submitting the package started in 2011 when process changes began. It then took several months to fine-tune those processes and gather the specific documentation needed to submit the package. To retain the Level three PCMH program status, the clinic must seek renewal every three years.