• •
• •
HERE’S
a term you may hear
more o en in the coming months:
medical home
.
A medical home isn’t a building.
It isn’t even an actual place.
A medical home is more like a
neighborhood of people who are
your health care team. In the center
of this gurative town is you. A
few streets over, perhaps, is your
hospital, your orthopedist or your
diabetes educator. Nearby is the
surgeon who repaired your hernia.
And right next door to you is your
primary care provider—the so-called
block captain of your health care.
e medical home is a new
model in health care that’s being
implemented around the country.
Progress is being tracked. What
works will be enhanced, and what
doesn’t will be changed as needed to
meet the mission.
And that is? According to the
American Academy of Family Phy-
sicians, medical homes may allow
better access to health care, increase
patient satisfaction and improve
patient health.
How a medical home works
In a medical home, your primary
care provider (PCP) coordinates
whatever care you need utilizing
a patient care team that provides
comprehensive care to its patients
with the goal of obtaining maxi-
mized health outcomes.
For example, if you need a spe-
cialist, your PCP’s sta will help
nd the right one for you. at
specialist then becomes part of your
medical home, treating you in part-
nership with your provider.
If you need emergency care at
night, the hospital in your medi-
cal home neighborhood will have
access to your electronic medi-
cal records. e goal is to provide
seamless and e cient health care
while reducing cost. And a big
part of what makes that possible
is information technology, such as
electronic medical records.
Key features of a medical home
e medical home is one answer
to rapidly changing health care
concerns. As more challenges arise,
the health care industry expects
that medical homes, too, will
evolve.
But some of the key features
aren’t likely to change. ey include:
w
A personal patient care coordina-
tor who works with your PCP as
an added resource for you, not a
replacement for your physician.
w
A phone number or secure email
address to contact a member of your
medical home around-the-clock.
w
Expanded hours for seeing your
provider.
w
Flexible scheduling, with same-day
appointments.
To learn more about medical
homes, visit
.
LIFE AND HEALTH is published as a community service for
the friends and patrons of GRANDE RONDE HOSPITAL,
900 Sunset Drive, La Grande, OR 97850.
Information inLIFEANDHEALTHcomesfromawiderange
of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions
about speci c content that may a ect your health, please
contact your health care provider.
Models may be used in photos and illustrations.
Copyright © 2013 Co ey Communications, Inc.
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®
JimMattes
President/CEO
Wendy Roberts
SeniorDirectorofAdministrative
Services,CommunityBene tsO cer
Mardi Ford
Community Relations Manager,
Life & Health
Editor
Grande Ronde Hospital
900 Sunset Drive
La Grande, OR 97850
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Walla Walla, WA
Permit No. 44
Medical home:
A new way of getting care
Contact the GRH Regional
Medical Clinic at
541-663-3138
and the GRH Children’s Clinic at
541-663-3150
. Both are Patient-
Centered Primary Care Medical
Homes that have met the criteria
and standards as prescribed by
the state of Oregon.
