CHCS clinics recognized for seventh straight year

Community HealthCare System clinics in six northeast Kansas locations were recently recognized as achieving Patient-Centered Medical Home status by the National Center for Quality Assurance, or NCQA. PCMH is a model of healthcare delivery focused on treating the whole patient through the lifespan.

“The PCMH designation means that our clinics offer a higher quality of care. When a patient is seen for an appointment, our care teams aim to focus on the overall health of the patient. We take a holistic approach, instead of just looking at one aspect of the patient’s health,” said Merica Surdez, CHCS chief of provider and clinic operations.

In the State of Kansas, only 67 General/Family Practice clinics have achieved the NCQA’s PCMH recognition. CHCS clinics in Onaga, Frankfort, Holton, Centralia, Westmoreland, and St. Marys are among them for the seventh year in a row. The clinics were initially certified in 2017.

According to Surdez, PCMH-certified facilities emphasize coordination and continuity across all types of care a patient might experience, including as a hospital inpatient, emergency department patient, clinic patient, or patient receiving outpatient tests or referrals.

“We aim to give a feeling of total care. In our day-to-day efforts, we focus on patient access, preventative care management, chronic care and medication management, and supporting patients in their efforts to care for themselves. We are also always tracking our performance and looking for ways to improve,” Surdez said.

The rigorous annual PCMH review and certification process includes working with advisory council members in all locations and striving to provide preventative education and resources that promote physical and mental health in northeast Kansas. Manda Thompson, RN and Quality Specialist at CHCS, serves as PCMH coordinator.

“The extra time and effort that PCMH requires is well worth it, because it helps us meet our mission, which is to enrich the health and lives of the people we serve. Providing a Patient-Centered Medical Home that treats the whole person is truly enriching, and we thank Manda for helping guide us through the process,” said CEO Todd Willert.

Willert said the PCMH approach requires a comprehensive view of health that includes community engagement.

“We’re proud of our many collaborations with local health departments, Chambers of Commerce, schools, and other organizations that help us better understand our communities and their needs. That helps us provide better care for all,” Willert said.