Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine recently issued the following announcement.

The Southern Illinois University Family and Community Medicine program in Springfield has achieved recognition as a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality.

This represents Springfield’s third NCQA recognition as a PCMH. Their ongoing efforts are magnified by the achievement of Level 3 status which is the highest PCMH ranking.

"We appreciate all of the continuing great work that is being done in Springfield to provide patient-centered care that is efficient, effective, equitable, enjoyable, safe, timely and appropriate," said Harald Lausen, DO, chief medical officer of SIU Medicine. "Thank you to everyone for your commitment and dedication to the patients we serve.”

The Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of care that puts patients at the forefront of care. PCMHs build better relationships between people and their clinical care teams. Participation in a NCQA recognition program demonstrates that the practice or clinician values quality health care delivery and the latest clinical protocols to ensure that patients receive the best care at the right time.

Research shows that patient-centered medical homes:

Improve quality: Patients get the treatment that they need, when they need it.

Reduce costs: They prevent expensive and avoidable hospitalizations, emergency room visits and complications. This is especially true for patients with complex chronic conditions.

Improve the patient experience: They provide the personalized, comprehensive coordinated care that patients want.

Improve staff satisfaction: PCMHs have systems and structures that help staff work more efficiently.

SIU Center for Family Medicine in Springfield provides comprehensive family care, including obstetric, gynecology, pediatric and geriatric care, with approximately 60,000 patient visits annually. The center has 18 faculty physicians, 30 resident physicians, four physician assistants, four nurse practitioners, two dietitians, 2 clinical pharmacists and 95 support staff who provide care for patients from all social and economic backgrounds in Springfield and surrounding communities. To make an appointment, call (217) 545-8000.

The Springfield program is one of four family medicine programs of SIU School of Medicine. Other programs are located in Carbondale, Decatur, and Quincy. All sites have previously received recognition from the NCQA.

Photo Caption: From left to right: Dr. Harald Lausen, DO, Chief Medical Officer of SIU Medicine and Dr. John Kreckman, MD, Assistant Professor and CMO of the Center for Family Medicine-Springfield

Original source can be found here.