Kathryn Czaplinski
/ Categories: NEWS, 2024

SVMC Primary Care offices recognized for patient-centered care

BENNINGTON, VT—December 13, 2024—Five primary care sites of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, have achieved national recognition for providing personalized, effective, and efficient care.

The following medical practices, located in Vermont, have been re-designated as Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA):

  • SVMC Northshire Campus
  • Deerfield Valley Health Center
  • Pownal Campus
  • SVMC Internal Medicine
  • SVMC Pediatrics

The national designation recognizes SVMC’s practice sites for providing comprehensive care and follow-up, in addition to a number of preventative and wellness screenings.

 “Each of SVMC’s practice sites follow stringent set of guidelines that allows our staff to meet the criteria and ensures our providers, clinical and support staff give every primary care patient the care and follow-up they need, as well as options and appropriate screenings for a multitude of concerns,” said Tina Gallant, CMPE, director of SVMC’s Primary Care Medical Practices. “It’s also a testament to the importance of our Community Health Team members who provide our patients with nurse case management, certified diabetic education and mental health and social services.”

According to NCQA, research shows that PCMHs improve quality and the patient experience, and increase staff satisfaction—while reducing health care costs. The PCMH program identifies practices that promote partnerships between individual patients and their personal clinicians. A team of doctors, nurses, and other allied health providers oversees each patient’s care, ensuring health needs are coordinated across the health care system.

Practices must resubmit for consideration every year. SVMC’s Twin Rivers Medical office, located in New York, falls under a different evaluation system, separate from the NCQA guidelines.

“National recognition as a Patient Centered Medical Home is an outstanding accomplishment by the staff, doctors, and advanced practice providers at our primary care practices,” said Trey Dobson, MD, SVMC Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Clinical Services. “As we continue to focus on primary care provider recruitment and expanding access to our rural communities, this and similar awards demonstrate SVMC’s commitment to exceptional health care.”

Learn more about SVMC’s primary care services here.

About SVMC:

Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, is a comprehensive, preeminent, health care system providing exceptional, convenient, and affordable care to the communities of Bennington and Windham Counties of Vermont, eastern Rensselaer and Washington Counties of New York, and northern Berkshire County in Massachusetts. SVMC includes the Dartmouth Cancer Center at SVMC, the SVHC Foundation, as well as 25 primary and specialty care practices. Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is among the most lauded small rural health systems in the nation. It is the recipient of the American Hospital Association’s 2020 Rural Hospital Leadership Award. In addition, SVMC is a five-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. SVMC provides exceptional care without discriminating on the basis of an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Language assistance services, free of charge, are available at 1-800-367-9559.

About NCQA:

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information for consumers, purchasers, health care providers, and researchers.

 

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What to Expect During Your Outpatient Visit

Now that cases of COVID-19 in the state have plateaued and Governor Phil Scott has given the go-ahead to resume elective procedures, the physicians and nurses at Southwestern Vermont Health Care are eager to provide the elective procedures that were postponed at the onset of the pandemic.

At the same time, we recognize that we need to implement enhanced precautions to ensure safety. See news about the universal safety precautions we are taking here.

Two areas in particular, outpatient surgery and diagnostics (which include the lab and imaging departments), have put additional precautions in place to ensure patient and staff safety.

Outpatient Surgery

3 – 4 Days Before Procedure. Patients will be given directions to get a drive-up swab test for COVID-19. The test should be conducted 3 – 4 days before your surgery. There is no out-of-pocket charge. Patients are given a cloth mask and are asked to wear it and self-isolate until surgery. Results for most tests are expected to be negative. Your surgeon will be in touch with you if there is a positive result. Procedures for those who have tested positive will be rescheduled.

Day of Procedure. Patients should come to the procedure alone, unless they need to be accompanied for safety reasons. Both patients and companions should wear a cloth face covering to the hospital. They are screened for symptoms at the main entrance. Patients will be given a medical-grade procedure mask to wear once they are checked into the unit.

Post Procedure. After the procedure, we will continue to be available to you. You will be provided a link that can be accessed via your cell phone or Internet. The link includes a brief questionnaire to help us assess your progress and guide you to a smooth recovery.

Diagnostic Imaging and Lab Work

Like those receiving an outpatient procedure, every imaging patient will be screened over the phone before arriving at the hospital. Lab patients with appointments will also be pre-screened on the phone. All patients should come for lab and imaging alone, unless a support person is needed for safety reasons. Patients should wear a cloth face covering to the hospital and for the entire duration of their stay. Patients are screened again at the main entrance.

Patients will notice some changes in the waiting rooms. Chairs have been spaced 6 feet apart to comply with social distancing. Reading material has been removed to discourage touching things that have been touched by others. In addition, the exam rooms are being deep cleaned after every patient, and the waiting rooms and high-traffic areas are disinfected hourly.

The clinical professionals at SVHC are confident that these measures, along with continued social distancing, will allow patients to receive the care they need in a safe and timely way.

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