CVMC Trustees Request the Reorganization of Catawba Valley Medical Group

FOR RELEASE:

September 6, 2011

Catawba Valley Medical Center Trustees Request the Reorganization of Catawba Valley Medical Group


HICKORY, NC –Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Board of Trustees requests the reorganization of Catawba Valley Medical Group in order to remove the Group from Joint Commission accreditation. The change would allow the Group to more efficiently and effectively provide medical services to the community. The Trustees recommend approval of the resolution authorizing the organization of Catawba Valley Medical Group, Inc., and the transfer of certain operations of the medical clinics to that entity. The request will be put forward to the Catawba County Board of Commissioners at the September 12 meeting. There are several reasons for removing the Medical Group from Joint Commission, including:

  • Increased Revenue: reorganization will allow the practices access to better reimbursement rates and allow for full participation in the Patient-Center Medical Home Standards program
  • Increased Productivity: less required time spent on insurance reimbursements and Joint Commission requirements will provide more productive use of staff time
  • Decreased Expenses: no accreditation cost for registering with Joint Commission, roughly saving $13,500 for the reduction in surveyor time; immeasurable cost savings associated with staff at the hospital in its decision-making process regarding changes or monitoring for Joint Commission purposes; elimination of a battery Joint Commission-required competency testing of providers that perform these services every day with the resulting expense and frustration for providers
  • Improved Opportunities for Growth: better recruitment opportunities without strategic disadvantage of being covered by Joint Commission
  • Enhanced Quality: the National Committee for Quality Assurance and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services define quality in the group setting using their Patient-Centered Medical Home and Electronic Medical Record Meaningful Usage requirements

Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, N.C., is the region’s largest not-for-profit, public healthcare system and serves the community without direct funding from taxes. CVMC provides and promotes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness services, preventive medicine and acute care. CVMC has received three Magnet designations from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and has been recognized for providing “An Outstanding Inpatient Experience” for a fourth consecutive year by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, please visithttp://www.catawbavalleymedical.org.

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