For Immediate Release
June 5, 2010

CONTACT: Andy Richardson, GR-PR
630-789-8899 or arichardson@gr-pr.com

HFAP – the first accrediting organization to join
the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative Executive Committee

Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) has become the first accrediting organization to join the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC) Executive Committee.

The PCPCC was created in late 2006 when approached by several large national employers with the objective of reaching out to the American College of Physicians, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and other physician groups in order to facilitate improvements in patient-physician relations and create a more effective and efficient model of healthcare delivery.

To achieve these goals, the PCPCC has become one of the major developers and advocates of the "patient centered medical home" (PCMH) model in America, which is an approach to providing comprehensive primary care for children, youth and adults.

"We are proud to be the first accrediting organization to join the Collaborative, at the Executive Committee level" said Michael J. Zarski, JD, and chief executive officer of Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program. "Supporting the medical home concept ties into our major emphasis on continuity of care quality initiatives."

"We are delighted that HFAP will be lending its leadership and expertise to our executive committee," said Edwina Rogers, executive director of the PCPCC. "HFAP’s commitment to quality aligns with the PCPCC’s goals to accelerate the adoption of the medical home model and to improve the quality, efficiency and safety of health care for all Americans. Our executive committee provides valuable insight as we pursue this common vision."

Since the creation of the PCPCC, numerous organizations have endorsed the Joint Principles for the Patient–Centered Medical Home. The Collaborative’s membership includes a number of large national employers, most of the major primary care physician associations, health benefits companies, trade associations, profession/affinity groups, academic centers, and healthcare quality improvement associations.

In addition, the PCPCC has created an open forum where healthcare stakeholders freely communicate and work together to improve the future of the American medical system. It also acts as a key source for the continued education of congressional representatives, the federal and state governments, and individual practices on the PCHM model as a superior form of healthcare delivery.

Chicago-based HFAP was founded in 1943 and began surveying hospitals in 1945. Originally founded to ensure quality patient care in osteopathic hospitals, HFAP has been accrediting all hospitals since 1966. Maintaining its deeming authority continuously since the inception of Medicare in 1965, HFAP provides accreditation to all hospitals, clinical laboratories, ambulatory surgical centers, and critical access hospitals. In addition, HFAP accredits mental health and physical rehabilitation facilities as well as office-based surgery. It also provides certification for primary stroke centers.

The program offers every healthcare facility the tools to assess and demonstrate commitment to providing quality care and the current safety standards to their patients.

HFAP accreditation is recognized by the federal government, state departments of public health, insurance carriers and managed care organizations.

More information on HFAP may be found at http://www.hfap.org or by calling 312-202-8258.

More information on PCPCC may be found at http://www.pcpcc.net or by calling 202-724-3331.

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