Spotlight on HHC
In honor of National Health Center Week (NHCW), eClinicalWorks wants to recognize a health center that represents this year’s theme, “Celebrating America’s Health Centers: Transforming Health Care in Our Local Communities.” Hometown Health Center (HHC) demonstrates innovation and dedication, ensuring patients receive the utmost care.
Located in upstate New York, HHC has 16 medical providers and five dentists treating over 15,000 patients annually. Of those, 23% are uninsured and 57% are on Medicaid. The health center is committed to providing high-quality, cost effective healthcare to all in need, with particular concern for low-income residents who live near the health center. HHC believes all of its patients should feel welcome and comfortable when visiting the Center.
As a result, the Center, with assistance from eClinicalWorks comprehensive EHR, has helped change the game by eliminating paper and improving data tracking for all patients. Using the EHR, HHC encourages providers to achieve recognition and educate patients on preventative medicine. As a result, all 19 eligible providers have successfully attested to Stage 1 of meaningful use, and 17 of those have met year 2 requirements. Furthermore, the Center has achieved PCMH Level 3 recognition as HHC by maintaining a dedicated effort to accurately recording all pertinent patient health information in the EHR and consistently monitoring clinical outcome data.
Patients are taking more control of their health by embracing the available tools. For example, parents utilizing reminders to notify them when their child is due to be seen by the doctor has improved childhood immunization rates by 80% since the adoption of the EHR. Additionally, all HHC diabetes statistics have shown continuous improvement over the last year, with 95% of all diabetics currently receiving recommended HbA1c testing and 46% of all diabetics show controlled levels of the HbA1c. Cancer screening has also shown consistent improvement during the same time period — 65% of all women for whom cervical cancer screening is recommended are screened and 39% of all men and women have had all the recommended cancer screenings appropriate for their age and gender.
For 40 years, HHC has proudly been the primary care provider of choice throughout the general Schenectady area. The Center continues to be a driving force in improving the health of its patients and its local community.
