Cortez Integrated Healthcare earns national recognition

Medical homes foster partnerships between patients and their clinicians

Cortez Integrated Healthcare, which is operated by Axis Health System, was recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance Patient-Centered Medical Home Program on Dec. 3.

The Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs, marketing manager Karla Sluis said in a press release. Medical homes foster partnerships between patients and their clinicians. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system.

Axis Health System also operates La Plata Integrated Healthcare, which received recognition in September 2017. “Both clinics are federally designated Community Health Centers, which make comprehensive primary care accessible to all people, regardless of insurance status, and improve the health of the whole community,” Sluis said.

“This is recognition that speaks to the quality of care and dedication of the clinic staff,” said Shelly Burke, Axis Health System’s chief operating officer.

“NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “Recognition shows that Cortez Integrated Healthcare has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.”

Axis Health System provides health care in Montezuma, Dolores, La Plata, San Juan and Archuleta counties. It has nine locations in Southwest.