Quality Programs and Initiatives

DMA is committed to providing the highest quality health care to our patients. We participate in many national programs that measure our performance on a variety of clinical screening and outcomes standards and metrics. By designing processes to attain the highest standards, and also continually reviewing and measuring our performance, Dedham Medical Associates is able to continually improve the way we deliver care, and better engage patients in their care. DMA developed the Quality and Performance Department in 2010 to work with our providers to measure and continually improve our performance on a variety of national standards. Below are examples of some of these quality initiatives.

Center for Medicare and Medicaid’s Meaningful Use Program

This initiative measures whether an organization uses a certified electronic medical record (EMR) in a meaningful way. “Meaningful Use” of an EMR helps to achieve better health for our patients, reduce errors, improve documentation, improve the exchange of data in the patient’s medical record and to better engage our patients in their health care.

Dedham Medical Associates has successfully met or exceeded all 25 measurement areas for all eligible providers across multiple specialties and departments for this year’s program requirements. This initiative demonstrates DMA’s use of a state-of-the-art electronic medical record in a meaningful manner.

Alternative Quality Contract

Dedham Medical Associates, through Atrius Health, was one of the first groups in Massachusetts to participate in a multi-year contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts called the Alternative Quality Contract. This is a model that emphasizes performance and quality measures and helps to control or reduce the unsustainable rising costs of healthcare and places focus on quality, value, and patient outcomes. DMA continues to be a leader in quality measures as defined by the contract.

Top Tier Metrics

DMA, through Atrius Health, has identified certain quality goals, referred to as the Top Tier Metrics. These focus on organizational priorities emphasizing clinical processes, clinical outcomes and patient experiences. Included are metrics pertaining to the care of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, antibiotic utilization, routine preventive screenings, adolescent well care, and patient satisfaction.

Leaders in Clinical Excellence and Quality

Dedham Medical Associates is among the leaders in the state when clinical quality is measured by the Massachusetts Health Quality Partners (MHQP), an independent, non-profit organization that publicly reports statewide patient experience and clinical performance data. Each year local health plans recognize our outstanding achievement in their evaluations of physician quality.