Joint Commission awards 49th MDG

  • Published
  • By 49th Medical Group
  • 49th Medical Group

The 49th Medical Group has earned both The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation as well as their Gold Seal of Approval for Primary Care Medical Home certification.

The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. They are recognized nationally as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

The Gold Seal of Approval reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.

“Joint Commission accreditation provides ambulatory care organizations with the processes contributing to improvements in a variety of areas from the enhancement of staff education to the demonstration of leading practices within the ambulatory setting,” said Michael Kulczycki, the executive director of the AHCA program. “Ambulatory care organizations that pursue PCMH certification from The Joint Commission are demonstrating the highest commitment to delivering quality primary care in the ambulatory setting. We commend the 49th Medical Group for its efforts to become a quality improvement organization and to achieve this pinnacle demonstrating a commitment to patient safety and quality.”

Established in 1975, The Joint Commission’s AHCA program encourages high-quality patient care in all types of freestanding ambulatory care facilities. An organization currently maintains AHCA for a three-year period. 

The 49th MDG underwent a challenging on-site survey April 11 and 12. During the survey, a team of Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with ambulatory care standards related to a variety of areas including:

-- coordination of care

-- monitoring for procedures that involve use of sedation or anesthesia

-- infection prevention and control

-- management of medications

-- patient education and training.

Currently, the Air Force contract with The Joint Commission does not allow the mental health clinic to be included in the survey or accreditation. Future agreements may allow the mental health clinic here to participate in the next survey.

In addition the AHCA accreditation, the 49th MDG also earned the Gold Seal of Approval for PCMH certification. This certification reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting optional standards, demonstrating a commitment to patient-centered care. The certification is a special add-on option for Joint Commission-accredited ambulatory care organizations.

During the April review, the surveyor team evaluated Holloman’s compliance with standards related to how effectively the primary care clinician and the interdisciplinary team work in partnership with patients to provide comprehensive, coordinated and patient-centered care.

Established in 2011, the PCMH certification encourages accredited ambulatory care organizations to ensure patients receive timely and appropriate treatment. This certification can provide ambulatory care organizations with the processes needed to improve patients’ access to care. It also encourages these organizations to focus on educating patients and showing them how to self-manage their illness or condition.

The PCMH certification is awarded for a three-year period.

The Joint Commission’s ambulatory health care standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, assess and improve performance.

“The 49th Medical Group is pleased to receive accreditation and PCMH certification from The Joint Commission -- the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” said Col. Paul A. Willingham, the 49 MDG commander. “Staff from across the organization continue to work together to develop, and implement approaches and strategies that have the potential to improve care for the patients in our community.”