We are excited to share the latest news regarding our participation in Florida’s Pediatric Medical Home Demonstration Project. As you may have read previously, we are one of just 14 pediatric practices in Florida participating in a demonstration project this year aimed at strengthening the “medical home” model and fostering family-centered health care.
As part of this demonstration project, we are charged with implementing the state’s new Pediatric Medical Home model of care and enhancing care to Florida’s youngest patients and their families – and identifying opportunities for improvement.
It has been one of the most challenging endeavors we have undertaken, but what a difference it makes for everyone. Since we began the demonstration project last year, it truly has transformed the way we provide care by better anticipating and addressing the needs of families, particularly those who have children with special needs.
In addition to daily huddles to discuss each patient’s condition and treatment plan, our team works collaboratively to review pre-visit questionnaires before every well child appointment and provide written summaries to families after each visit to ensure we are addressing parents’ concerns and providing information they need to understand each child’s needs and care choices. We also have established a patient portal for families to stay abreast of their child’s care plan and a computerized tracking system to follow those referred for specialty care. The tracking system is especially helpful in monitoring healthy outcomes and determining priority areas for follow up and intervention.
And just last month, we were one of two practices in Florida invited to participate in CHIPRA’s (Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act) Patient Centered Medical Home Recognition Facilitation Project!
It’s an amazing opportunity that will afford us intensive technical support and mentoring as we complete the final requirements to become what we hope will be Sarasota’s first recognized Pediatric Medical Home.
To learn more, read our news release on our news page, or you can watch the news segment that aired this week on SNN.