Joint Commission Posts Prepublication Standards for PCMH Certification Options
The
Joint Commission recently posted prepublication standards for its Primary Care
Medical Home (PCMH) Certification options for accredited hospitals and critical access hospitals.
The PCMH requirements relate to the following 5
operational characteristics:
- patient-centered care
- comprehensive care
- coordinated care
- superb access to care
- systems-based approach to quality and safety
The requirements are effective January 1, 2013.
Launched
in July 2011, PCMH Certification for Joint Commission-accredited
ambulatory care organizations focuses on care coordination, access to care, and
how effectively a primary care clinician and interdisciplinary team work in
partnership with the patient (and where applicable, his or her family). PCMH
certification is consistent with the new federal health care reform efforts to
improve health outcomes and the continuity, quality, and efficiency of health
care services.