RCMS Earns National Recognition for Patient-Centered Care for the Third Time

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has recognized Redwood Coast Medical Services (RCMS) of Gualala and Point Arena, CA as a NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term relationships between Providers and Patients. This is the third time that RCMS has achieved this national quality recognition.

The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care and improve patients’ experiences. Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits. Clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system oversee each patient’s care.

“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 RCMS has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.”

To earn recognition, which is valid for three years, RCMS demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home. NCQA standards 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.

About NCQA
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits, certifies and recognizes a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. All Providers at RCMS are recognized as PCMH clinicians.

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