Community Health Northwest Florida has been awarded five Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), whose programs provide healthcare to people who are geographically isolated or economically and medically vulnerable.
HRSA requires Federally Qualified Health Centers to report standard core data every calendar year that includes patient characteristics, services provided and patients’ use of those services, clinical processes and health outcomes, staffing, costs and revenues. The badges are awarded annually to FQHCs that achieve specific quality measures for that calendar year.
“We’re especially proud of these awards because they represent the work that is at the very core of our values,” said CEO Chandra Smiley. “Our values hold us together at Community Health, and all of us are proud of what these badges reflect. It shows that our Mission is not just words but actions.”
The badges recognize health center programs across the nation that have made notable quality improvement achievements in the areas of access, quality, health equity, and health information technology.
The following badges were awarded:
The Badge: Access Enhancer
Why it Matters: Community Health’s mission is to provide a full range of health and wellness services to all who walk through our doors.
The Access Enhancer badge recognizes health centers that have increased the total number of patients and the number of patients who receive at least one comprehensive service (mental health, substance abuse, vision, dental, and/or enabling) by at least 5% during consecutive reporting periods (2020 and 2021 UDS).
The Badge: Health Disparities Reducer
Why it Matters: Community Health treats each person with respect, dignity, and compassion regardless of age, gender, race, religion, circumstances or ability to pay.
The Health Disparities Reducer badge recognizes health centers that qualify for the Access Enhancer badge and meet at least one of the following two criteria:
- Demonstrate at least a 10 percentage point improvement in low birth weight, hypertension control, and/or uncontrolled diabetes outcomes during consecutive reporting years for at least one racial/ethnic group, while maintaining or improving the health center’s overall performance from the previous reporting year; and/or
- Meet certain benchmarks for all racial/ethnic groups served within the most recent reporting year.
The Badge: Advancing Health Information Technology for Quality
Why it Matters: Community Health envisions a community where all people have equal access to quality healthcare, fostering an environment for healthier, happier and more productive citizens. Its promise is to deliver uncompromising quality care and service to all our patients.
Recognizes health centers that meet all criteria to optimize HIT services. Eligibility is calculated using 2021 Uniform Data System (UDS) data. Health centers must meet the following five criteria:
- Has adopted an electronic health record (EHR) system
- Offers telehealth services
- Exchanges clinical information electronically with key providers health care settings
- Engages patients through health IT
- Collects data on patient social risk factors
The Badge: Addressing Social Risk Factors
Why it Matters: Community Health is committed to assuring access to affordable, quality healthcare for the underserved, underinsured and uninsured population.
The Addressing Social Risk Factors badge recognizes health centers that are screening for social risk factors that impact patient health outcomes and are increasing access to enabling services.
The Badge: PCMH (Patient Centered Medical Home)
Patient-Centered Medical Home accreditation recognizes health centers who have achieved PCMH designation in one or more delivery sites, and represents the highest national accreditation standard for primary care.
The Five Key Functions of the Medical Home are:
- Comprehensive Care
- Patient-Centered Care
- Coordinated Care
- Accessible Services
- Quality and Safety