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Walnut Creek, Calif. (June 20, 2013) – John Muir Health's Physician Network achieved the highest possible rating, elite status, in a recent survey by the California Association of Physician Groups (CAPG). The seventh annual Standards of Excellence survey measures the tools required to deliver on the Institute of Medicine's Triple Aim – better patient experience, better population health and better affordability.
"The recognition by CAPG is a reflection of the physicians, staff and infrastructure we have in place to deliver outstanding care and service to our patients," said Lee Huskins, president and CAO of John Muir Health's Physician Network. "We strongly believe in the value of measuring ourselves against our peers and are proud to be recognized among the best physician groups in the state."
Just 37 of the state's 150 medical groups achieved elite recognition, which reflects high performance in four areas:
"We know from the experience of our member groups that it takes determined leadership, synchronized initiative across hundreds of physicians, and leading edge tech tools to honor the individual patient experience, improve the health of populations and hone the efficiency our country's health care system desperately needs," said Wells Shoemaker, M.D., CAPG's Medical Director. "Organizations that excel in the survey's four key domains join a truly elite category of pioneering healthcare organizations."
CAPG developed the survey in 2006 to annually assess and publicly report the ability of health care organizations to bring value in quality and affordability to patients and consumers. The survey has evolved to include augmented documentation requirements and expanded transparency, incorporating the goals of national health care reform.
"The survey has encouraged us to continually improve our capabilities in care coordination and case management to consistently raise the bar," said Richard Fraioli M.D., the Network's Medical Director. "We have a number of initiatives planned or in place that will increase access to the health system, better coordinate the care of our patients and ensure we continue to deliver the safe, high-quality care and positive patient experience that we are known for."
Some of these projects include:
Care Coordination – Innovative, physician led programs like the Medical Home and participation in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), are helping to coordinate care across the health system.
New Outpatient Center – A new outpatient center in Walnut Creek will open in early 2014. Patients will be able to access a range of medical services under one roof rather than traveling to multiple sites for various services.
Electronic Health Care Record – A new electronic health record, powered by Epic, is being implemented to enhance the health system's ability to care for patients, coordinate their care and provide a better patient experience no matter where patients access John Muir Health's services.
Since its inception in 1996, John Muir Health's Physician Network has become one of the largest medical groups in Northern California, with more than 950 primary care and specialty physicians. The Network owns and operates primary care practices in 23 locations from Brentwood to Pleasanton.