We are proud to announce that Pediatric Center at Renaissance has once again been awarded recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance Patient-Centered Medical Home Program. The practice received the same recognition three years ago. Dr. Juan Jorge Saenz, Dr. Daniella Rodriguez-Rico, and Dr. Jennifer Saenz are the clinic’s providers who have been awarded recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Pediatric Center at Renaissance was the first, and remains the only, pediatric practice with the NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition in Edinburg, Texas.
Our desire to achieve this recognition was driven by our goal to ensure that Pediatric Center at Renaissance always strives to provide our patients with the best medical care, best access to care and the best patient experience we possibly can.
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality and recognizes the vital role clinicians play in advancing that quality. The Recognition Programs assess whether clinicians and practices support the delivery of high-quality care and are built on evidence-based, nationally recognized clinical standards of care. NCQA recognizes the vital role clinicians play in advancing quality. The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement.
What is a Patient- Centered Medical Home?
A medical home is a physician’s office that provides all your routine and preventative medical care and guides you through the system when you need specialty care or other services. The office works as a team from the receptionist to the doctor to provide you with comprehensive medical care. They use an electronic health record so they can access your information wherever they are taking care of you. A patient centered medical home means that services are provided at a time and in a way that is convenient for the patient when possible. Same day appointments, electronic communication, phone triage services, and access to patient portals are some examples of how practices become patient-centered practices.
What kind of care can I expect from a Patient-Centered Medical Home?
All your medical needs will be taken care of in a medical home but much of the emphasis will be on preventative care. At every visit, consideration will be given to your immunization status, follow up on chronic conditions; follow up on outstanding labs and/or referrals. Office staff will take active rolls in ensuring proper follow up; you will receive phone calls and/or letters regarding the need for labs, follow up visits, specialist visits and so forth. The emphasis has switch to the office actively ensuring you are scheduled for appointments you need versus handing you a telephone number to a specialist and considering their work done. The team will actively work to help you maintain your health.
Communication is key! It is your responsibility to communicate with your team of providers about changes in your medication, your health, any symptoms that you may be having, different physicians or clinics you may have seen. You and your health care team will set goals for you that will help improve your health. It is important that you understand what treatments are being recommended and why and that you discuss any concerns or reservations you may have. Unlike old systems where the doctor told you what was going to happen without any discussion, it is now a joint decision. It is important that you ask questions, understand and agree with plans that are made. Once plans have been made, it is then your responsibility to comply with them or discuss with your provider if for some reason you are not complying.
For more information on NCQA’s PCMH program please refer to www.ncqa.org.
The official NCQA directory of Recognized Clinicians can be accessed at http://recognition.ncqa.org.