Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety as a Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH). The special designation for accredited ambulatory care organizations that offer PCMH recognizes Clinicas Del Camino Real’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards, the health care provider reported this week in a media release.
“We recognize Joint Commission accreditation as the Gold Seal for providing safe, high quality patient care. Now by achieving the PCMH designation from The Joint Commission we will continue operating within a framework to provide the best care possible to our patients,” Roberto Juarez, Clinicas’ chief executive officer, stated in the media release. “What better present for Clinicas in its 40 year anniversary to receive this prestigious designation.”
“Organizations that pursue the PCMH option from The Joint Commission are demonstrating the highest commitment to delivering primary care in a comprehensive, coordinated and accessible model,” Michael Kulczycki, executive director, Ambulatory Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission, stated in the release. “I commend Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. for successfully achieving this pinnacle and for its dedication to continually improving patient care.”
Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. underwent a rigorous, unannounced, two-day on-site survey on Oct. 19, 2011. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated Clinicas 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 PCMH option, which was launched in July 2011, 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.
The Joint Commission’s PCMH is a model of care where 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 the services of the clinician and interdisciplinary team; the care provided by other clinicians and facilities are 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.
In 2001, Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. became one of the many organizations to achieve and maintain Joint Commission accreditation for ambulatory care and has now become the fourth organization within the state of California to have received the PCMH designation from The Joint Commission ranking as the eighth organization nationwide. The Joint Commission also provides certification of more than 1,700 disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.
Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. has been providing quality primary health care services to the medically underserved communities of Ventura County since 1971. Clinicas started as “The Free Clinic,” in Santa Paula, California and now operates twelve health centers and three mobile units in Ventura County. In addition, Clinicas provides counseling services at over 27 school and 9 Adolescent Group Home sites on a regular basis. Patients now receive services in family practice, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, internal medicine, dental, mental health, vision, health education, chiropractic, podiatry, cardiology, pharmacy and access to a complete specialty panel. Clinicas completed implementation of the Electronic Health Record, E-Dental Record, E-Behavioral Record and maintains a robust Tele-Health System integrating with 7 UC Medical schools and covering 9 Specialties. In addition, Clinicas recently implemented e-health remote patient monitoring for diabetic patients. Technology has really improved patient care at Clinicas and helped tremendously in achieving PCMH designation.
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. Since 1975, The Joint Commission has developed state-of-the-art standards for outpatient ambulatory care organizations. Nearly 1,900 freestanding ambulatory care organizations maintain Joint Commission accreditation.