Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Nationally Recognized for Quality Care
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates was awarded recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). NCQA recognized the work of 383 doctors at 13 locations in advanced medical records; patient education and support; and care management. A fourteenth site was awarded this recognition last year in the first phase of the Massachusetts pilot of NCQA’s Physician Practice Connections program.
"It is an honor to have 14 of our locations recognized nationally," said Dr. Richard Marshall, Chief Medical Officer for Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. "Harvard Vanguard has a strong history of developing and utilizing systems that ensure our physicians can deliver a consistently high level of patient care across our large practice."
Physician Practice Connections recognizes physician practices that use information systematically to improve the quality of patient care. Practices meeting program standards monitor for patients who need care, measure quality across their entire practice and ensure that abnormal test results receive follow-up. Such approaches have been shown to improve medical outcomes and to reduce errors.
NCQA lauded Harvard Vanguard’s work in earning Recognition. "Good information at the point of care is crucial to delivering quality health care," said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. "Physician Practice Connections identifies those doctors who make the most out of clinical information they have on hand to make better decisions and provide better follow-up. The physicians at Harvard Vanguard are to be commended for their significant achievement."
Harvard Vanguard’s innovative quality improvement efforts have also drawn attention from Bridges to Excellence (BTE), a non-profit coalition-based organization created to encourage significant leaps in the quality of care by rewarding health care providers for demonstrating that they deliver safe, timely, effective, and patient-centered care. The 14 Harvard Vanguard sites that have earned NCQA recognition are now eligible to earn incentive rewards from Bridges to Excellence for their high-quality care.
"Harvard Vanguard has demonstrated significant leadership through their work with these practices. The systems that are now in place are an example of Harvard Vanguard's continual drive towards delivering outstanding care," said Francois de Brantes, National Coordinator for Bridges to Excellence. "BTE participating employers are proud to have supported this effort."
Harvard Vanguard has been a leader in Massachusetts for linking its state-of-the-art electronic medical records (EMR) system, EpicCare, with strong clinical protocols to help physicians and patients manage their medical care. The EMR program is so advanced that Harvard Vanguard physicians are also able to develop specialized systems tools, such as a "diabetes dashboard," to better manage care for patients with chronic diseases. Harvard Vanguard maintains a large practice-wide initiative that drives continued progress in creating these pioneering systems for delivering outstanding care.