The Joint Commission is seeking field review, or public comments, on proposed requirements for an additional, voluntary designation as a primary care home, as part of its accreditation standards for ambulatory care organizations. This is the Joint Commission’s entry into standards-setting for medical homes, which are referenced in several sections of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The proposed requirements, or “operational characteristics” include:
- Patient-centered care
- Comprehensive care
- Coordinated care
- Superb access to care
- Systems-based approach to quality and safety
The Joint Commission also has released a cross-walk showing the alignment of the proposed primary care home model to its existing accreditation standards for primary care organizations.
Comments are due by March 14, 2011.
Ignatius Bau 