Gundersen Media Contacts: Chris Stauffer, Media and Communications, (608) 775-6622, cjstauff@gundersenhealth.org Brian Gilberts, Media and Communications, (608) 775-6399, bcgilber@gundersenhealth.org |
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Primary care clinics throughout Gundersen Health System recently received Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) certification. This designation comes from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality.
PCMH is a healthcare model that emphasizes care coordination and fosters partnerships between patients and their primary care providers. It’s designed to assure that patients get quality primary care when and where they need and want it, in a manner sensitive to their cultural beliefs and in language they understand. “Gundersen Health System is committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive and accessible healthcare to our patients. To accomplish this, a dedicated team is necessary to ensure all of the processes are in place to provide patient-centered care,” reports Mary Kuffel, MD, Gundersen medical vice president, Operating Team 1 and Regional Systems. Within Gundersen’s clinics, primary care teams have been established. Team members work together to deliver care for patients and to ensure each role within the care team functions at its highest scope. Research confirms that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patient and provider satisfaction. “One of the intended benefits of the Medical Home is to foster greater engagement of patients,” explains Marilu Bintz, MD, Gundersen vice president, Operating Team III. “We know that a patient’s outcome improves as they get more engaged in their own care. We as providers can give patients all kinds of recommendations, but unless those recommendations reflect the desires and goals of the patient, he or she will not be motivated to follow through. The Medical Home strives to really serve the patient where they are, not where the provider is.” PCMH is the model of care for Gundersen primary care including Family Medicine, General Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Gundersen has primary care clinics in:
Although Gundersen only recently received PCMH certification, their way of caring for patients has long followed Medical Home principles. At Gundersen, Medical Home is where…
For more information about medical home or to find a primary care provider, call Gundersen at (608) 775-0601. |