The Minnesota Department of Health has certified Perham Health New York Mills Clinic as a Health Care Home, a program that closely connects doctors, nurses and other clinicians with community resources to support whole-person care and facilitate the broader goals of improving population health and health equity.
The state's Health Care Home model drives the shift from a purely medical model of care delivery, to focus on linking primary care with wellness, prevention, self-management, and community resources. At its core, the model of care inspires patients to take a more active role, and engage with their Perham Health team to improve their over-all health versus waiting for their appointment or just when they are sick. Studies involving patients in medical home programs have 40% fewer emergency department visits and 25% hospital admissions.
Medical home offers a team approach to primary care, making it easier for patients to proactively communicate and partner with their care team, including physicians, clinicians, nurses, care coordinators and community resources. This approach to care is particularly helpful for people with complex and chronic conditions.
“We are proud to offer our patients a certified medical home when it comes to their care,” Beth Ulschmid, Perham Health Director of Clinic Operations, said. “A medical home means patients are receiving comprehensive and coordinated care led by a team of health care professionals centered around their unique needs.”
Certification by MDH means the New York Mills clinic has met a set of rigorous standards to provide patient and family-centered care and is working to improve the overall quality and affordability of health care.
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In Perham Health’s medical home, an RN care manager leads the team approach to develop a close relationship with patients and their families to better understand their medical needs, coordinate care and achieve better health. This includes streamlining access to appointments, improving communication with physicians, answering questions over the phone, and planning care.
“Medical home makes it easier for patients to communicate and partner with their care team,” Ulschmid said. “We want patients to feel empowered to take responsibility for their health in partnership with their care team.”
