Creating a "Medical Home" at Eglin Hospital

  • Published
  • By Sara Vidoni
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 96th Medical Group has implemented a new model of care called Patient-Centered Medical Home.

PCMH is a team-based, patient-centered approach to medical care, where a patient has one primary provider alongside a team of health professionals, all centered on meeting the patient's medical needs. This "medical home" strives to generate better overall outcomes because of collaborative care integrating healthcare teams with the patient.

"PCMH puts the patient first," said Col. Gianna Zeh, the 96th MDG commander. "It means making sure the medical team provides coordinated health care, while practicing evidence-based medicine in a timely and cost-effective manner. In our current world of health care reform, continuity of care is our priority. Daily, we strive to deliver care structured around the needs of the whole person. Our goal is to create an outstanding overall experience for our patients and our health care providers."

The hospital implemented PCMH in response to their growing patient base and in support of the Air Force Surgeon General's priorities of "better care, better health at the best value while driving change and supporting optimal readiness". The Air Force Medical Service and 96th MDG leadership saw a need that expanded past just serving those who need intermittent acute care; it was about providing trusted care, anywhere.

"Treatment needed to be diversified throughout the hospital and focused on the overall continuum of care, so the question was how can we tackle these overarching health issues head on?" said Col. James Jablonski, the 96th Medical Operations Squadron commander. "Providers emphasized the need for disease management coupled with proper preventative care."

A major tool of PCMH is MiCare, an online secure-messaging portal that streamlines the information process for the patient. Once enrolled, a patient can inquire about test results, send non-urgent messages to their provider and set up their next appointment. The purpose of the system is to allow patients more flexibility in getting the answers they need, when they need them. All enrolled patients are eligible to sign up for MiCare with their provider.

In order to implement the goals of PCMH, new programs have been developed throughout the hospital. In the Family Medicine Residency Clinic, they stress continuity of care for their patients. Their sports medicine program is an all-inclusive clinic where patients will receive everything from their first x-ray and casting to follow-up care.

In the Family Medicine Clinic, pregnant patients see the same doctor from their prenatal appointments all the way through to their delivery.

"Stability is very important to us in FMRC," said Maj. Travis Stephensen, the deputy flight commander of the FMRC. "By allowing patients to see the same provider throughout pregnancy, it helps ease the transition into parenthood, and it is nice to have a familiar face though the whole journey."

In the Pediatrics Clinic, PCMH has been implemented through the creation of Healthy Steps, a child obesity clinic.

"This clinic is open to any child eight years or older with a body mass index of 85 percent or higher," said Capt. Justin Manganaro, a pediatric nurse practitioner. "We focus on nutrition counseling, monitoring, tracking and referral to specialists if needed. Care is coordinated from start to finish through a dedicated health care team."

In accordance with PCMH, the Family Health Clinic has placed an emphasis on disease management. Many classes on wellness and nutrition are now available for patients and their families who need assistance in making better decisions about their health.

"Having a consistent PCMH team working throughout the disease management process means the patient is more likely to succeed," said Maj. Lance McGinnis, the FHC flight commander. "When they have a group of people rallying behind them, helping them to make the best choices for their health, the patient has the best chance of achieving improved results."

PCMH continues to be implemented here as well as at military treatment facilities throughout the Air Force. For more information regarding PCMH, talk with a primary care manager.