The New Jersey Primary Care Association (NJPCA) and its network of federally funded health care centers are committed to improving health care for the residents of New Jersey. The NJPCA Clinical Quality Program seeks to improve both access and quality by increasing the effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of primary care that is provided to at risk populations at over 102 service sites located in the medically underserved urban and rural areas in the State.

The NJPCA Clinical Quality Program infrastructure consists of a number supporting Subcommittees and Task Force groups. These committees are charged with the development and modification of clinical practice guidelines and protocols to improve both access and quality of the primary care services provided by our CHC’s. Monthly conference calls are conducted to ensure each health center receives the most up-to-date federal and local information as it relates to quality improvement. Committee meetings are held regularly (monthly webinars and quarterly and annual face-to-face meetings).

NJPCA Task Force and Clinical Quality Committees

• Medical and Dental Directors Committee
• Quality Improvement Committee
• Directors of Nursing Committee
• Quality Assurance Committee
• Data Task Force

Program Goal: To continuously improve the ability of professionals to render quality care and improve outcomes through knowledge and skills. The NJPCA Clinical Quality Program serves as a resource to the members of NJPCA by providing technical assistance in various areas.

Quality Improvement - “Health care for people who are poor should never be poor health care”

Quality health care is the provision of appropriate services to individuals and populations that are consistent with current professional knowledge, in a technically competent manner, with good communication, shared decision-making, and cultural sensitivity. It is evidence-based; increases the likelihood of desired health outcomes; and is Safe, Effective, Patient-centered, Timely, Efficient and Equitable.

Clinical Risk Management (CRM) - an approach to improving the quality and safe delivery of health care by placing special emphasis on identifying circumstances that put patients at risk of harm, and acting to prevent or control those risks.

For Health Centers, reducing and eliminating risk may be the most critical financial strategy. The benefits of effective clinical risk management center first and foremost on patient safety. Protect the patient and you …

• avoid costly claims,
• maintain the solvency of the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Judgment Fund,
• achieve accreditation, and
• meet regulatory requirements set out by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

Patient Centered Medical Home
National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)

The Patient Centered Medical Home is a health care setting that facilitates partnerships between individual patients, and their personal physicians, and when appropriate, the patient’s family. Care is facilitated by registries, information technology, health information exchange and other means to assure that patients get the indicated care when and where they need and want it in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.

For upcoming Clinical Quality events please visit “What’s New” on the NJPCA home page.

For further information regarding the New Jersey Primary Care Association Clinical Quality Program contact Linda Whitfield-Spinner, Clinical Quality Program Director at 609.689.9930 ext.26 (fax: 609.689.9941) or email lwspinner@njpca.org.