The Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin General Internal Medicine Clinic has been recognized as a Level 3 (highest level) Patient-Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
The clinic, which is staffed by faculty physicians from the Medical College’s Department of Medicine, is located in the Specialty Clinics Building on the Froedtert & Medical College campus.
The three-year recognition honors programs that use evidence-based, patient-centered processes to focus on highly coordinated care and the development of longterm relationships between a care team, patients and their families.
“A patient-centered home is really a commitment to communication,” said Julie Mitchell, M.D., associate professor and associate division chief (department of medicine, division of general internal medicine). “Communicating with patients about what occurs both during and between visits, communicating with other providers to maintain a clear health picture of the patient, and communicating test results and medication information is key to making patients stakeholders in their own health.”
In the patient-centered home model, patients take an active role in their care; doctors ask the patients to set health goals based upon the patients’ values and priorities and discuss how to achieve those goals. The health care team at the Froedtert & the Medical College General Internal Medicine clinic manages many chronic illnesses, including hypertension, heart failure, and diabetes.
Additionally, the team coordinates both preventive and post-illness patient care—screening tests and immunizations, follow-up visits and post hospital discharge management.
To be considered for recognition as a Level 3 Patient- Centered Medical Home, a program must meet several key program components, including:
- Written standards for patient access and enhanced communications
- Appropriate use of charting tools to track patients and organize clinical information
- Responsive care management techniques with an emphasis on preventive care
- Adaption to patients’ cultural and linguistic needs
- Use of information technology for prescriptions and care management
- Use of evidence-based guidelines to treat chronic conditions
- Systematic tracking of referrals and test results
- Measurement and reporting of clinical and service performance
For more information about the Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin General Internal Medicine Clinic, visit us on the web: http://www.froedtert.com/LocationsAndDirections/PrimaryCareClinics/GeneralInternalMedicineEast.htm
