CHC earns Patient-Centered Medical Home certification

Community Health Center of Snohomish County (CHC) has achieved Patient-Centered Medical Home certification by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Certification distinguishes this medical home from many other outpatient facilities by providing the highest quality of care to its patients as determined by an independent, external process of evaluation. We have met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by AAAHC.

“At CHC we believe in practicing patient-centered care, where our team of health care professionals work with our patients to build relationships based on their health care needs. I like to say that being a patient-centered medical home is similar to being in fire protection. We would rather work on fire prevention than be called upon to fight the fire once it has already started. To do this, you need to focus on the whole person and not just the one issue they may be presenting with. It really is a new concept in healthcare.” said Tove Skaftun, Chief Nursing Officer.

CHC team members work with the patient and their families to accomplish goals aimed at improving patient’s health. Plans encourage patient participation and are developed “to meet the patient where they are at, at that moment,” said Jessica Ro, Communications Manager at Community Health Center, in an email. Addressing the whole person, physically, mentally, and emotionally, is the foundation for which PCMH is designed and it just makes sense.

Ambulatory health care organizations seeking certification by AAAHC undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by AAAHC expert surveyors – physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory health care. The survey is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services. It took two years for Community Health Center to get the accreditation.

“Going through the process challenged us to find better ways to serve our patients, and it is a constant reminder that our responsibility is to strive to continuously improve the quality of care we provide.” said Bob Farrell, Chief Executive Officer.

We wanted to implement a health care model that was designed to improve the overall health of the patients that we serve, Ro said in an email. Often times people see community health as the place of last resort. A place where you receive substandard care until you can get insurance and see a “REAL doctor”. This just isn’t who we are. Our patients deserve care that is as good as, if not better than, some of the leading healthcare organizations in the country. Our patients come from all across the globe and the bottom line is that they deserve not only our respect, but the best that we can offer. Being a Patient Centered Medical Home helps us deliver care that we are proud of and that our patients deserve.

Community Health Center of Snohomish County is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Community Health Center providing medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral health and nutrition care to over 54,488 individuals with 202,132 visits in 2017. For over 35 years, CHC has provided services to Snohomish County residents who face barriers to health care with the mission to provide our diverse community with access to high quality, affordable primary health care. CHC operates seven medical primary care clinics, two medical walk-in clinics, five dental clinics and five pharmacies and are located in Arlington, Edmonds, North Everett, Central Everett, South Everett and Lynnwood. For information or to schedule an appointment, call 425-789-3700. www.CHCsno.org.