Emory Transplant Center has been recognized as the first transplant center in the nation to receive the Patient-Centered Specialty Practice Level 3 recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). A level 3 status is the highest level of recognition a specialty practice can receive.
“We are so proud of this major accomplishment by the Emory transplant team,” says Thomas Pearson, MD, PhD, professor of Surgery, division of Transplantation, and executive director of the Emory Transplant Center. “Delivering patient-centered care has always been our mission, so to receive the highest level of recognition from the NCQA is especially rewarding.”
What Exactly is the Patient-Centered Specialty Practice Recognition?
The NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. After developing the Patient-Centered Medical Home model for primary care, the NCQA has extended the medical home concept to specialists. The Patient-Centered Specialty Practice model bridges specialty care and primary care coordination – combining teamwork and information technology to improve patient care and the overall patient experience.
To earn the NCQA Patient-Centered Specialty Practice recognition, specialists must:
- Establish formal and informal agreements with referring clinicians to exchange key information.
- Maximize teamwork among care team members, including patients, families, and caregivers.
- Provide timely access to care and clinical advice based on patient need.
- Use a systematic approach to track patient information and coordinate care.
- Include patients and family/caregivers in care planning and management.
- Continually measure performance and patient experience to identify ways to improve.
