Maui Kaiser Clinics Receive National Quality Recognition

File photo.

By Sonia Isotov

Kaiser Permanente’s Kihei and Lahaina Clinics, and their primary care providers, have received the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) Physician Practice Connections (PPC) and Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition at Level 3, the highest level, for its integrated and coordinated care delivery system.

On January 31, the NCQA released new standards and this recognition reflects the achievement of a these new standards in medical practice. The Patient-Centered Medical Home Model Recognition salutes clinician practices functioning as medical homes by using systematic, patient-centered and coordinated care management processes. The Physician Practice Connection Recognition salutes clinician practices that use up-to-date information and systems to enhance patient care.

Both clinics scored the highest points possible, 100 out of 100, for this recognition. Kaiser Permanente’s model is based on coordinated care and standardized systems, such as the fully integrated electronic medical record system.

The NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality, and the recognized leader in accrediting and certifying a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care.

Kaiser Permanente’s Maui Lani Clinic received Level 3 recognition from NCQA in May 2011; its Hawaii Kai Clinic on Oahu was recognized last November. Kaiser Permanente plans to have all of its 14 primary care clinics in Hawaii designated PCMH Level 3 – the highest standard – by the end of 2011.