A Word on Validation

We all want validation in our work. For primary care physician practices, validation has taken on an entirely new meaning in recent years with the aggressive move towards transformation to Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) and URAC’s Patient Centered Health Care Homes (PCHCH –https://www.urac.org/healthcare/prog_accred_pchch_toolkit.aspx).  

For practices seeking official validation as a PCMH and/or a PCHCH, it is important to make sure that all practice members have been involved in the transformation process and are prepared to be part of the validation visit.  The ultimate goal of validation is to assess/confirm the transformation of a practice from the ground level up to ensure that optimal patient- centeredness has been achieved.  This undertaking requires full commitment by members of the office team, not to mention an investment of time and money for practice reengineering.

Not only must a practice be ready for a validation visit, but the person performing the audit also must fully understand the PCMH/PCHCH process to be able to assess the practice appropriately.  An auditor should be able to offer suggestions and guidance to make sure that the changes the practice is making are sustainable in the long-term.  Whether you are the auditor or a member of the practice team, we all want the same thing- to improve the quality of care for the patient and the health care system.

2012 will see a surge in validations now that URAC is launching its PCHCH Practice Achievement Recognition program on an international scope.  When you are looking for a validation team, consider PTI.   Why? Experience counts.  We have trained auditors and are the first organization to receive PCHCH Certified Auditor status.  

What do you have to say about validation? PTI wants to hear it.

It’s a Lovely Day in the (Medical) Neighborhood

Just when the majority of the primary care community gets familiar with the Patient Centered Medical Home/PCMH terminology, a new term moves in next door.  The Patient Centered Medical Home “Neighborhood” entered the primary care vernacular in 2011 but is sure to increase in usage and understanding in 2012. So just who are these neighbors? Simply, they are specialists who are neighbors to the primary care home.  Examples of neighborhood specialists who could serve the medical home include oncologists, nephrologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, neurologists and gastroenterologists. With the primary care physician handling coordinated care in the medical home model, it makes sense that specialists who serve patients with chronic and often complex illnesses be welcomed into the neighborhood of care.  Stay tuned while the financial structure of PCMH neighborhood physicians takes shape.  

What do you have to say about the medical neighborhood?  PTI wants to hear about it.