Refining Reporting Mechanisms in Oregon's Patient-Centered Primary Care Home Program to Improve Performance.

INTRODUCTION

As part of its strategy to achieve the Triple Aim, the Oregon Health Authority implemented the Patient-Centered Primary Care Home (PCPCH) Program in 2009. In 2014, the program recognized more than 500 primary care practices and had become an essential component of Oregon's strategy for transforming health services delivery. To assist the Oregon Health Authority with evaluating practices' achievement of the PCPCH model along its 6 core attributes (access, accountability, comprehensive care, continuity, coordination, and person-centered care), the research team developed an innovative scoring method.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a synthesized attribute scoring methodology and to apply it to evaluate practices' performance overall and along individual attributes.

METHODS

The method builds on earlier studies of the medical home and draws on data from Oregon's PCPCH recognition application and a survey of recognized practices. Scores are reported for each practice on the program's core attributes, with further analyses by geography, practice size, and ownership. The method was pilot-tested in 30 practices recognized under the 2011 PCPCH standards and adapted for potential use with the program's 2014 standards in 400 practices.

RESULTS

Initial results demonstrate that the scores are effective for reporting performance to key program stakeholders, including provider practices. The method enables stakeholders to compare results across similar practices and across the model's core attributes. The scores help analyze practice transformation over time, enabling practices and the Oregon Health Authority to identify opportunities for improvement and technical assistance.

CONCLUSIONS

The PCPCH Program could be replicated in other states. This article offers insights on implementation strategies, efficacy of the PCPCH model, and lessons learned.