News and Events
Flu Update
The recent emergence of the H1N1 flu is certainly complicating this years flu season. Both the traditional seasonal flu as well as the new H1N1 strain will be hitting us simultaneously this year. And yet, the H1N1 strain is actually just a variation of flu virus and is similar to flu viruses that we have experienced in the past. In the end, the management of flu this year will be very similar to what we’ve done in years past. For healthy people, the management consists of staying home, resting and alleviating the symptoms. Following are some important points about this years flu season:
- Seasonal flu vaccine is in short supply because the vaccine manufacturers have had to switch over to production of the H1N1 vaccine.
- The H1N1 virus causes more severe illness in children, pregnant woman and people who are immunocompromised.
- The H1N1 vaccine will be released as it is produced and so it will take several months to get all vaccine candidates immunized.
- Please check the CDC website regarding the most current recommendations for H1N1 vaccination.
- If you are a candidate for H1N1 vaccine, please call our office and get your name on our wait list and as we get the vaccine we will call you to schedule your vaccination.
Town Medical Associates has been awarded Recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance Physician Practice Connections® - Patient Centered Medical Home™
Town Medical Associates has received national recognition as a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) from NCQA, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality. PCMH standards emphasize the use of systemic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication, and patient involvement. Since the first quarter of 2009, Town Medical Associates has been participating in a project sponsored by the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians (NJAFP) and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to enhance the care patients receive on an ongoing basis. Part of this project included training and assistance in accumulating and submitting documentation to NCQA that allowed the organization to assess whether the practice was functioning as a medical home and to recognize them for these efforts. The NCQA Recognition program is referred to as Physician Practice Connections® – Patient Centered Medical Home TM (PPC®-PCMH TM).
A PCMH is a physician office where healthcare professionals work as a team to provide patients with care that is individually determined to meet their specific needs. Healthcare team members strive to know their patients, as well as their preferences regarding care. The team also coordinates patient care with other healthcare professionals. As such, the practice becomes patients’ “homes” for preventive, chronic, and ambulatory care. Under this approach to healthcare, patients are important members of the team. They openly communicate with the healthcare professionals and let the team know when they need more direction and explanation about their medical care.
Examples of the NCQA PPC-PCMH standards that practices had to meet involved having readily accessible, clinically useful information that enabled the healthcare team to treat patients comprehensively; maintaining continuous relationships with patients by implementing evidence-based guidelines and applying them to identified needs of individual patients; collaborating with patients and their families to pursue goals for optimal achievable health; and seeking to reduce medical errors and improve efficiency.
Physician Practice Connections® (PPC®) is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance
Patient Centered Medical Home™ (PCMH™) is a trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
New Jersey Monthly names Town Medical Associates’ Dr. Robert Gorman and Dr. Thomas McCarrick among New Jersey’s “Top Docs”
MAKE 2010 YOUR TIME TO QUIT.
LET US HELP YOU!
JOIN OUR
6-WEEK STOP SMOKING CLASS
Quitting smoking is the #1 most important thing you can do for your health, your quality of life, your wallet, and your family.
Make your New Year resolution or desire to quit a reality.
In this 6-session class, Jacqueline Rubino walks you through the step-by-step process of quitting with support and expertise.
Pre-registration required. Sign up today!
Fee: $175
Payable by cash, check, or credit card.
To register, call Office Manager Janie at 973-239-8805
Group Facilitator:
Jacqueline Rubino, MPH
*Individual one-to-one stop smoking sessions are also available.
For more info about individual sessions, call
Jacque at 973-229-0337