The National Committee for Quality Assurance is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of health care. Since its founding in 1990, NCQA has been a central figure in driving improvement throughout the health care system, helping to elevate the issue of health care quality to the top of the national agenda. The NCQA seal itself is a widely recognized symbol of quality.
NCQA’s programs and services reflect a straightforward formula for improvement: Measure. Analyze. Improve. Repeat. NCQA makes this process possible in health care by developing quality standards and performance measures for a broad range of health care entities. These measures and standards are the tools that organizations and individuals can use to identify opportunities for improvement.
Sentara Medical Group is looking at the recognition given by the NCQA as a standard for all its primary care practices to achieve, creating a strong foundation for other new services and offerings for patients in the future.
Patient Centered Medical Home Practice Recognitions
Today, 37 Sentara Medical Group practices have been awarded the highest level of recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance Physician Practice Connections Program® - Patient Centered Medical Home (PPC-PCMH)™. NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is an innovative program for improving primary care by organizing care around patients, working in teams and coordinating and tracking care over time.But what does Patient Centered Medical Home really mean?
Our Practices Will:
- Respect you as an individual, explaining healthcare terms, listening to your feelings and answering any questions you may have.
- Provide you with safe, quality care and a seamless connection to additional information, resources, or even other physicians.
- Strive to provide improved access to your doctor and care team so you have the support you need, when you need it.
We Look to Our Patients to:
- Be active members of their healthcare team, proactively educating themselves about their conditions and insurance coverage.
- Be open and transparent about health history, symptoms and changes in their condition
- Be a good patient, following the recommendations of the doctor and care team, taking medications, and giving the team feedback – help us make your experience better!
Diabetes & Heart / Stroke Physician Recognitions
In addition to practice level recognitions, the NCQA also recognizes individual physicians who are using evidence-based measures to provide excellent care to their patients. Many of our physicians have been recognized in one or both of these programs.