SPARTANBURG, SC – Mary Black Physicians Group (MBPG) Carolina Family Physicians has been acknowledged by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). It was the first Community Health Systems-affiliated practice to be recognized under the 2017 guidelines. MBPG Carolina Family Physicians, a part of Mary Black Health System, is a primary care practice with five physicians, a nurse practitioner and a staff committed to quality patient care.
The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home* standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement. “NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “Recognition shows that MBPG Carolina Family Physicians has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.”
The recognition process took fifteen months to complete and was led by Erin Wease, RN, BSN and Ginger Earnhardt, RN, BSN. “The dedication of these two nurses made this recognition possible. They worked countless hours documenting current processes, developing and implementing new processes, and coordinating with many individuals across our health system,” states Dr. Howard C. Bean, Chief Medical Officer and overseer of the certification process. “From a quality standpoint, we did this for our patients. As stated by NCQA, ‘The Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of care that puts patients at the forefront of care. PCMHs build better relationships between people and their clinical care teams.’”
* 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. The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians (ACP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and others.