Joslin is the Only Organization in Massachusetts to Achieve Patient Centered Specialty Practice Recognition

BOSTON — (January 8, 2015) – Joslin Diabetes Center announced today that the Joslin Clinic has received level-three recognition, the highest level of recognition, from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Specialty Practice (PCSP) for its responsiveness to patients and medical colleagues, cooperation and integration with other health care groups, and dedication to continuous improvement. 

Joslin is the only organization in Massachusetts whose clinicians received PCSP recognition, and Joslin remains the only center purely focused on diabetes care to obtain this level of recognition. In the New England area – including six states and over 400 providers – only four practices and clinics were granted level-three recognition by the NCQA. 

“NCQA Patient-Centered Specialty Practice Recognition distinguishes practices that communicate, collaborate and integrate care in ways that patients want and that improve quality,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “I commend the team at Joslin Diabetes Center for their achievement, and for their commitment to continuous improvement.”

“On behalf of Joslin, we are honored to achieve the highest level of recognition by the NCQA,” said Robert A. Gabbay, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Joslin and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. “To be the only organization in Massachusetts to receive PSCP recognition reinforces the type of quality care we deliver to our patients at Joslin and our role in setting the standards for diabetes care.”  

Earning NCQA Recognition demonstrates that Joslin Diabetes Center has undergone a rigorous review of its capabilities and is committed to communication, coordination and providing access to care. Recognition signals to primary care practices that Joslin is ready to be an effective partner in caring for patients they have in common. 

“Being recognized as a level three patient specialty practice signifies that we have the highest level of commitment to coordinating care and access for our patients,” said Bridget Stewart, LPD, MBA, Vice President of Clinical Operations at Joslin. Stewart led a multidisciplinary team consisting of physicians, educators, information technology support, and practice management and operations employees in the clinic, all of whom steered Joslin’s NCQA recognition application process. 

Joslin met or exceeded national standards for:

• Communicating with primary care clinicians to exchange key information and establish coordinated care plans
• Providing timely access to care and clinical advice based on patient need
• Using a systematic approach to track referrals and coordinate care
• Measuring and improving performance over time

PCSP recognition is modeled on and complements NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition program, the most widely adopted medical home model in the country. A medical home is a way of organizing primary care that uses teamwork and technology to improve quality, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. PCSP recognition highlights the “neighbors” in medical specialties that surround and inform the medical home and colleagues in primary care. 

“This recognition reaffirms Joslin’s commitment to quality care, our patients, our relationship with referring physicians and our corporate and professional education initiatives,” commented Dr. Gabbay. “These efforts are part of our overarching mission, which is to continuously improve the overall health status of our patients. Joslin is a leader in diabetes care both nationally and internationally as well as with our affiliate model, and this recognition is important in designating Joslin as a center that delivers outstanding quality of care to patients with diabetes.”

###