FORT WALTON BEACH, Florida –February 25, 2014—The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced that the primary care physicians of White-Wilson Medical Center's (WWMC) Fort Walton Beach, Niceville/Bluewater, and Destin facilities have received Recognition from the Patient-Centered Medical Home™ 2011 (PCMH 2011) program. This recognition was awarded as a result of White-Wilson using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term participative relationships. This further recognizes and acknowledges the long-standing commitment the White-Wilson Medical Center primary care physicians have for their patients and the community.
"Our physicians and staff work together to provide the highest quality care for our patients," said White-Wilson Medical Center CEO, Alan Gieseman. "We take pride in being a one-stop shop for health care and are honored to be recognized as a patient-centered medical home."
The patient-centered medical home is a model of care emphasizing care coordination and communication to transform primary care into "what patients want it to be." Research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and improve patients' and providers' reported experiences of care. The PCMH identifies practices that promote partnerships between individual patients and their personal clinicians, instead of treating patient care as the sum of several episodic office visits. Each patient's care is tended to by clinician-led care teams, who provide for all the patient's health care needs and coordinate treatments across the health care system. Medical home clinicians demonstrate the benchmarks of patient-centered care, including open scheduling, expanded hours and appropriate use of proven health information systems.
To receive recognition, White-Wilson's primary care physicians demonstrated the ability to meet the program's key elements embodying characteristics of the medical home. The standards are aligned with the joint principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association.
Highlights of the key program components which were met by White-Wilson Medical Center include:
• Written standards for patient access and continuity of care
• Utilization of state of the art electronic health systems to fully coordinate patient care
• Responsive care management techniques with an emphasis on preventive care for individual patients and for the entire patient population
• Use of evidence-based guidelines to treat chronic conditions
"The patient-centered medical home raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and partnerships between clinicians and patients," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "PCMH 2011 Recognition shows that White-Wilson Medical Center has the tools, systems and resources to provide their patients with the right care at the right time."About National Committee of Quality Assurance:
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers and researchers.About the White-Wilson Medical Center:
White-Wilson Medical Center is one of the largest multi-specialty physician groups on Florida's Emerald Coast. With over 70 providers, more than 20 different specialties, and multiple locations throughout Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville and Navarre. White-Wilson provides a range of health care services to fit most needs. White-Wilson employs state-of-the-art technology, coupled with skilled and experienced providers, friendly and caring staff, and the convenience of "one-stop" shopping. Visit www.white-wilson.com for a list of specialties and services.
