Patient Centered Medical Home

Westside Internal Medicine, LLC has achieved recognition as a National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient-Centered Medical Home 2011, Level 3. The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home 2011 standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement.

Achieving recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home is an important validation of the steps we have taken to ensure comprehensive, continuous care for our patients. Most of our patients have chronic diseases, and the standards and procedures required for recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home also ensure that the care we are providing for them results in the best outcomes and reduces unnecessary costs. Our Practice also transitions patients from pediatric care to adult care by addressing physical activity, drugs and alcohol, safe sex and other teenage topics during a wellness exam.

What is a Patient Centered Medical Home?

Health insurance companies across the country are working with primary care practices to establish what’s known as a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). PCMHs are not actual houses, but a central medical practice and doctor who oversees all the needs a patient may have, and then coordinates with other healthcare providers to make sure the patient receives any specialty care, therapy or additional services needed to live as healthily as possible.

How will my care change if I am a patient of a PCMH practice?

Patients who have a PCMH doctor will get quality care and should notice a few differences. Here’s an example: If you come to our Center and our doctors decide you need to see a specialist (heart doctor, lung doctor, etc.), physical therapist, home health services, respiratory therapist or any other medical provider, you can do so. What’s the difference? The difference is that OUR doctors will be overseeing your treatments, communicating with the specialists or therapists about your progress then your doctor from OUR CENTER will adjust your care and treatment plan as needed. This means one doctor oversees your treatment plan, that you don’t fall through the communication cracks, and you get better care overall.

What does it mean for you?

Westside Internal Medicine provides evidence-based care in a team setting. Clinicians work together within and outside Westside Internal Medicine family including doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, medical assistants, specialists, and administrative staff, urgent care, on-call physicians and most importantly YOU, the patient, play a critical role in the care team.

Westside Internal Medicine coordinates care for patients to setup appointments with specialists (ie. Cardiologists, Endocrinologist, Surgeons, etc.) as well as working to help get patients scheduled for follow-up appointments with their primary care providers after the patient has been in the hospital are two important elements of the Patient Centered Medical Home.

As a Patient Centered Medical Home, your care team works to obtain your records from specialists and hospitals so they can get a complete picture of your health and make informed decisions on your treatment. Your care team will also work with you to help you set goals to help improve your health and quality of life. The care team’s goal is whole person care, including addressing mental health concerns.

On the main webpage of Westside Internal Medicine’s website provides office location, hours, and how to request an appointment. There is a number new patient’s can call to schedule an appointment or they can request an appointment online by clicking the “Book an Appointment” link. Westside Internal Medicine monitors the policy and procedures and updates the website with information about office hours, telephone numbers, and contacts with any changes.

Westside Internal Medicine is open until 6pm on Wednesdays to accommodate patient’s needs. Additionally, should you need care after regular business hours; providers on call at Westside Internal Medicine will instruct the patient on what to do depending on the severity of the illness.

Patients in order to serve you it’s important for you to provide your care team with information on the medications you are currently taking, any visits you’ve had with specialists or to hospitals, your medical history, your health status, any test results, self-care information including goals to effectively serve you best.

On the Westside Internal Medicine website when the patient has clicked on the “Patient Centered Medical Home” tab, a video by “emmi” begins to play explaining coordinated care with specialists across multiple settings via the electronic medical records, 24/7 availability by phone with same day and after hour access, preventative medicine, test tracking, goal setting, self-management support, follow-up care, and recommendations, added resources to help patients take ownership and manage their care, and how PCMH focuses on the patient’s mental health concerns. Watch the video

Self-management Tools

Westside Internal Medicine, LLC is proud to be a Patient Centered Medical Home—where your care and your health are at the center of everything we do. Request an appointment online to get started or call our office at (864) 576-5764 for more information.

Resources

Introduction to the Patient Centered Medical Home This video tells about a better approach to healthcare, and provides a brief explanation of a medical home.
Patient Education Library
A Medical Home for All The TransforMED Patient-Centered Model: A Medical Home for All. This provides a diagram of a medical home and explains the different features. Watch the video

Information on Patient Centered Medical Home
Video | Handout

Diabetes

ADA tool kit for patients

Hypertension and Heart Health

Smoking Cessation

Obesity
Information for Patients

CDC Resources for patients on weight: