News

WHITTIER’s URGENT CARE CLINIC IS NOW AN NCQA Recognized Patient-Centered Connected Care™ site

  • March 28, 2016

On July 7, 2014, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) released standards for a proposed program to evaluate ambulatory care clinics (e.g. urgent care clinics) that provide patient-centered care and work in conjunction with patient-centered medical homes. The Whittier team led by Adeola Ogungbadero, VP of Clinical Support Services, Ahmad Al-Musa and the Urgent Care team submitted our application to the NCQA and we received notification that we our Urgent Care Clinic has received the PCCC recognition. By being an NCQA recognized Urgent Care Clinic, we:

Demonstrate Quality, Patient-Centered Care

NCQA’s Patient-Centered Connected CareTM Recognition program supports clinical integration and communication, creating a roadmap for how sites delivering intermittent or outpatient treatment such as Whittier’s Urgent Care Clinic—but do not act as a primary care provider for a majority of its patients—can effectively communicate and connect with primary care and fit into the medical home “neighborhood.” The recognition program:

  • Supports use of evidence-based guidelines in treating patients.
  • Provides a consensus-driven framework for how non-PCMH and non-specialty sites (our Urgent Care Clinic) fit within the medical home neighborhood and how they connect to primary care.
  • Helps entities become a part of the medical home neighborhood, resulting in better outcomes and improved patient experience.
  • Improves trust among providers.
  • Helps reduce waste in the health care system, such as duplication of procedures and unnecessary readmissions or hospitalizations.
  • NCQA Recognition programs evaluate delivery and coordination of care to ensure that patients receive the right care, in the right amount, at the right time. Sites awarded an NCQA seal demonstrate that they deliver quality care using the latest clinical protocols.

In addition, we have been a Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home since 2012!

NCQA

A note about Whittier and COVID-19

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in our area, we ask all clients and patients to call ahead before coming to any of our sites. We are working to take care of most clients/patients via phone/video encounter so we can meet your ongoing healthcare needs. This is for your safety and so we can provide the highest quality of care to you while following CDC guidance for COVID-19. Please call 617-427-1000 for any questions or concerns.

Whittier will provide COVID-19 testing from 10 am to 4 pm on Monday to Friday. Following CDC guidance, we recommend testing if you have a fever AND one of the following three symptoms: cough OR shortness of breath OR sore throat. Please bring your picture identification and your insurance card (if you have insurance).