Three Southwest Medical specialty practices have been newly recognized as Patient-Centered Specialty Practices (PCSP) by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The company’s cardiology, endocrinology and gastroenterology specialties join its previously recognized neurology and rheumatology specialties in achieving this PCSP recognition, the only health care organization in Nevada to have PCSP-recognized specialty practices.
NCQA, a private nonprofit dedicated to improving health care quality, accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. Its mission is to improve health care quality, and its recognition programs are built on evidence-based, nationally recognized clinical standards of care.
“Our top priorities are keeping our community healthy and helping people feel their best,” said Dr. John Rhodes, Southwest Medical’s senior medical director of primary and adult medicine. “Having five of our specialty programs recognized as Patient-Centered Specialty Practices is a testament to our focus on delivering top-quality care to the people and communities we serve.
“NCQA Patient-Centered Specialty Practice Recognition distinguishes practices that communicate, collaborate and integrate care in ways that patients want and that improve quality,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “I commend the team at Southwest Medical for its achievement, and for its commitment to continuous improvement.”
Practices that become recognized under PCSP Recognition have demonstrated commitment to patient-centered care and clinical quality through streamlined referral processes and care coordination with referring clinicians, timely patient and caregiver-focused care management and continuous clinical quality improvement.
In addition to the newly recognized PCSP specialties, Southwest Medical has 19 primary care sites recognized as Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH), demonstrating they have the tools, systems and resources in place to provide patients with the right care, at the right time, as determined by NCQA standards.
Earning NCQA’s PCSP designation shows consumers, private payers and government agencies that Southwest Medical has undergone a rigorous review of its capabilities and is committed to sharing information and coordinating care. Recognition also signals to primary care practices that the specialty practice is ready to be an effective partner in caring for patients.
About Southwest Medical Associates
Southwest Medical, part of Optum Care®, was founded in Las Vegas in 1972 and is Nevada’s largest multi-specialty medical group with over 450 local health care providers through Southwest Medical, including six urgent care centers and two outpatient surgery centers.
Our full spectrum of health care services includes Southwest Medical Hospice, improving the quality of life for people experiencing a terminal illness. We also bring care and comfort home to our patients through Home Health Services. For half a century we have provided experienced, compassionate, innovative and high-quality care to patients throughout Southern Nevada. From our 24-hour urgent care center to industry-leading technology such as convenient e-visits and online options like the NowClinic® 24/7 telemedicine and virtual appointments, Southwest Medical’s goal is to bring patients the health care they want, the way they want it.
For more information: SMALV.COM.
