Hospital takes part in pilot survey
PRESQUE ISLE — The Aroostook Medical Center has been invited by the most widely recognized organization responsible for certifying and accrediting hospitals nationwide to participate in their Patient Centered Medical Home pilot survey. This invitation positions TAMC in the lead role in the outpatient medical home model in northern Maine.
The Joint Commission is developing the survey process to evaluate health care organizations for certification of the Patient Centered Medical Home model, a key component of the Affordable Care Act. The Patient Centered Medical Home identifies how effective primary care doctors, clinical staff and care managers work with patients to support coordinated care.
Coordinated care is an important piece of the medical home model puzzle. In February, TAMC began participating in the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program, another key component of the Affordable Care Act.
Under the ACO program, the health care team comprised of a lead physician, providers, care coordinators, transition of care coordinator, nurse/medical assistant and front office staff work closely with patients to monitor their health, provide education, and connect patients with community resources. In addition, patients are encouraged and shown how to be more active participants in their health and health care.
The Joint Commission is an independent and not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Before they can begin assessing health care organizations for Patient Centered Medical Model certification, they need to develop the survey process. This is where TAMC comes into the picture.
“When we heard from the Joint Commission that they were inviting us to participate in this pilot survey, we jumped at the opportunity,” said Dr. David Weed, medical director of physician services. “TAMC is a health care leader in the region and we are glad to be part of the process of developing a new survey by the Joint Commission.”
Joint Commission surveyors were scheduled to perform a mock survey as part of the pilot program Nov. 26 at A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital in Presque Isle. The opportunity to participate in the pilot affords TAMC some insight into how well the organization is embracing the medical home model, and TAMC officials are looking forward to the mock survey.
“Being a part of this pilot program provides TAMC with the chance to identify what the organization is doing well and where improvements can be made,” said Dottie Wheeler, director of primary care/medical home at TAMC physician services. “We are enthusiastically looking forward to participating in this.”
