Communications, Connected Care and Medical Homes, Part 1

What are Medical Homes? 
In the previous post, we saw that ACOs are rapidly becoming the new status quo in healthcare delivery and reimbursement. Healthcare is becoming team-based and reimbursement likewise. Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs) are taking flight within ACOs. 


From the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), here are four building blocks your local PCPs are using to build the practice as a Medical Home.   Note the significance of the patient experience. 


Building Your PCMH?


A truly patient-centered medical home is designed to enhance the patient experience – a fundamental, transformational shift from the practice designed to enhance physician workflow.


In a medical home, the practice is organized around the patient. Communication is based on trust, respect and shared decision-making. Patients want access to personalized, coordinated and comprehensive primary care when they need it, when it’s convenient for them. They also want convenient access to practice information.
• Provide convenient care. 
• Develop your practice's online presence. 
• Assess patient satisfaction. 


A patient-centered medical home automates business and clinical processes, depends on clinical decision support tools, and connects patients with the health care team.
• Connect and communicate: e-Prescribing, email and secure electronic messaging.
• Clinical data: capture and analyze. Medication histories, for starters. 

Two fundamentals for a patient-centered medical home: an engaged and productive staff and an organized and disciplined approach to finances.
• Build a productive and supporting environment 
• Put finances in order 
• Install a system to collect data.  
• Use the system to improve care. 


To be continued. Join us next to see why Medical Homes are relevant to the National Eye Care Communications Project.


Alistair Jackson, M.Ed.
Jim Grue, O.D.