BACH transitions remaining primary care services to medical home model

Written by Victoria Tarter For Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Public Affairs
Jun. 14, 2013 | theleafchronicle.com

FORT CAMPBELL, KY. — Blanchfield Army Community Hospital transformed three primary care clinics
into Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) during an Open House Ceremony Friday, June 7. The
PCMH model offers patient-centered, team-based, holistic care, which places the patient at the center of
the care model.
The Open House Ceremony took place on a windy afternoon on the lawn outside the patient entrance of
“C” building. Ceremony speakers, including hospital commander Col. Paul R. Cordts, chief of primary care
Col. David Brown, and acting senior mission commander for the 101st Airborne Division and Fort
Campbell Brig. Gen. Mark R. Stammer, explained how the Blue, Young Eagle and Byrd Family clinics
have now been reformed into the Air Assault Family Medical Home, the Young Eagle Medical Home and
the Byrd Family Medical Home.
"We are here today to recognize 343 team members and approximately 30,000 patients enrolled to the
three transforming services,” said Cordts.
Cordts also thanked the Family members who partnered with BACH to create an ideal system of care.
Cordts explained that several shifts in services occurred to support the transition to the PCMH model.
The Air Assault Family Medical Home expanded to incorporate the former Well Baby Clinic. This provided
optimal space for the four medical home teams as well as the expanded team members who integrated
into the Air Assault Family Medical Home, including behavioral health, nutrition, clinical pharmacy, case
management and population health providers.
The Emergency Center incorporated the Urgent Care Center, which allowed the Young Eagle Medical
Home to expand into two teams, with Team Soar occupying the former Urgent Care Center.
In addition to honoring the cooperative work of both patients and staff, Stammer highlighted the primary
care team’s success despite financial challenges.
“You have been working to not only improve our Soldiers’ and their Families’ patient care experience, but
also work to maximize healthy outcomes all the while working with a decreased budget,” said Stammer.
Stammer pointed out that Army Medicine is one essential part of the budget, and the relationship between
patients and their caregivers is an essential part of Army Medicine.
There are two major benefits of the PCMH model.
The first is to improve the continuity of care by ensuring patients see their dedicated care team rather than
any available provider. This helps patients build stronger relationships with a care team that understands
their specific medical history and health goals. Expanding personnel within the medical homes, along with
restructuring the workflow within each service, has made this care model possible.
Second, in addition to creating a higher degree of medical care, this new model includes the Army Secure
Messaging System powered by Relay Health. This enables patients to send secure e-mail messages to
their care teams. Patients can e-mail questions to their care team or request appointments, lab results,
medication refills and referrals.
BACH’s noncommissioned officer in charge for the Air Assault Medical Home Sgt. Mark Migala explained
the benefits of creating additional, open lines of communication between patients and caregivers.
“You can do it right there from your iPhone,” said Migala.
To register for this program, patients must simply contact their healthcare team. BACH’s appointment line
Call Center personnel will inform patients about their clinic’s transformation to a PCMH and their assigned
team.

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