Blue Ridge Community Health Services gets national recognition for health care quality, primary care

Press release

From Blue Ridge Community Health Services:

(Hendersonville, NC)–Blue Ridge Community Health Services (BRCHS) has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® by demonstrating compliance with national standards for health care quality and safety as a primary care medical home (PCMH).

Since 1975, The Joint Commission has developed state-of-the-art standards for outpatient ambulatory care organizations and physician offices. Nearly 1,900 freestanding ambulatory care organizations maintain Joint Commission accreditation. The Joint Commission’s ambulatory care standards address important functions relating to the care of patients and the management of an ambulatory care organization. This recognition establishes BRCHS as the only health care provider in WNC that has achieved certification for both health care quality and safety, as well as for being a PCMH.

BRCHS underwent a rigorous on-site survey for both their ambulatory care accreditation and PCMH recognition in August 2013. Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated BRCHS for compliance with standards related to how effectively the primary care clinician and the interdisciplinary team work in partnership with the patient to provide comprehensive, coordinated and patient-centered care. The Joint Commission’s ambulatory PCMH designation helps accredited ambulatory care organizations ensure their patients receive timely and appropriate treatment, increase patient satisfaction, improve patient outcomes and reduce the overall costs to the health care system.

“Ambulatory organizations that pursue the PCMH certification option from The Joint Commission are demonstrating the highest commitment to delivering primary care in a comprehensive, coordinated and accessible model,” says Michael Kulczycki, executive director, Ambulatory Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. “I commend Blue Ridge Community Health Services for successfully achieving this pinnacle and for its dedication to continually improving patient care.”

“We recognize Joint Commission accreditation as the Gold Seal of Approval for providing safe, high quality patient care. Now, by achieving PCMH certification as well, we are operating within a framework to provide the best care possible for our patients,” says Tammy Greenwell, BRCHS Performance and Compliance Officer.

The Joint Commission’s PCMH certification option for accredited ambulatory care organizations is a model of care whereby services are provided to patients by a primary care clinician and an interdisciplinary team. Patients benefit from this model because they have increased access to services; the care provided by other clinicians and facilities is tracked and coordinated; and evidence based treatment protocols guide their care. This care model also focuses more on education and self-management by the patient.

BRCHS is a non-profit community health center that has been providing high quality and affordable medical, dental and mental health care as well as promoting health awareness/education for 50 years.  Services are conveniently provided in Hendersonville, NC at Blue Ridge Health Center and Hendersonville Family Health Center; in Brevard, NC at Brevard Health Center; and in four Henderson County Public Schools.  If you would like more information about BRCHS services, call 692-4289; or visit www.brchs.com and www.facebook.com/BRCHS.