We have been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, this means our model transforms how primary care is organized and delivered; here’s what we mean:
As a patient-centered medical home we provide for a large majority of each patients each patient’s physical and mental health care needs, including prevention and wellness, acute care, and chronic care. Providing comprehensive care requires a team of care providers. This team might include physicians, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, nurses, nutritionists, social workers, and care coordinators. We bring together large and diverse teams of care providers to meet the needs of our patients.
The primary care medical home provides health care that is relationship-based with an orientation toward the whole person. Partnering with patients and their families requires understanding and respecting each patient’s unique needs, culture, values, and preferences. The medical home practice actively supports patients in learning to manage and organize their own care at the level the patient chooses. Recognizing that patients and families are core members of the care team, medical home practices ensure that they are fully informed partners in establishing care plans.
The primary care medical home coordinates care across all elements of the broader health care system, including specialty care, hospitals, home health care, and community services and supports. Such coordination is particularly critical during transitions between sites of care, such as when patients are being discharged from the hospital. Medical home practices also excel at building clear and open communication among patients and families, the medical home, and members of the broader care team.
The primary care medical home delivers accessible services with shorter waiting times for urgent needs, enhanced in-person hours, around-the-clock telephone or electronic access to a member of the care team, and alternative methods of communication such as email and telephone care. The medical home practice is responsive to patients’ preferences regarding access.
The primary care medical home demonstrates a commitment to quality and quality improvement by ongoing engagement in activities such as using evidence-based medicine and clinical decision-support tools to guide shared decision making with patients and families, engaging in performance measurement and improvement, measuring and responding to patient experiences and patient satisfaction, and practicing population health management. Sharing robust quality and safety data and improvement activities publicly is also an important marker of a system-level commitment to quality.
Patient-Centered Medical Home
Sapphire Community Health is a Patient-Centered Medical Home, which represents the idea that the patient is the most important person in health care.
Nobody knows more than the patient about his or her own needs and goals. Health care professionals can assess and advise, but people are much more likely to reach their goal if they work as part of a team with their provider(s). This means that patients who choose to actively participate in discussing their concerns and issues, decide to learn what's involved in pursuing wellness and then take steps to actually move toward health are far more likely to experience success.
Every PCMH-recognized practice must demonstrate that it is built on a standard of excellence in pursuing the core ideals which are essential to the health of the whole individual.
At Sapphire Community Health we provide integrated care that focuses on the whole person. Our clinic provides superior, affordable primary care for the whole family. We are committed to fostering an environment that respects diverse cultural backgrounds and values the dignity of all people. We offer compassionate care for people of all ages. At Sapphire Community Health we offer the education, experience and internal motivation to make the changes you want in your life. You’ll love the way we care for you.
Sapphire Community Health provides services for all residents of Ravalli County and surrounding areas regardless of race, sex, religion, or income. Serving individuals who are low-income, uninsured, underinsured, and those who could not otherwise afford medical or dental care. We accept most private insurances, Medicaid, Medicare, Montana VA, and Healthy Montana Kids; fees are based on a sliding scale.
Research shows that patient participation on governing boards ensures higher quality care, lower costs and better outcomes. Sapphire Community Health’s Board of Directors includes members from the community we serve. Our Board of Directors provides policy and fiscal oversight and advises the overall strategic direction of Sapphire Community Health. We thank our volunteer board members for their hard work to enhance community health and well-being in Ravalli County.
The Sapphire Community Health Board of Directors meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month, from 6 to 8pm at 316 north 3rd St. Hamilton, MT.
Sapphire Community Health is committed to excellence in the provision of healthcare. We will become the provider of choice working in partnership with patients to improve their overall health and well-being. We will expand our services to meet community needs.
