The Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges are awarded based on data submitted as part of the annual Uniform Data System (UDS) report to the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). The Silver-level CHQR Badge is awarded to health centers that rank within the top 11-20% in the Nation. Mountain Laurel Medical Center was the only health center in Maryland to receive the Silver badge. No health centers were awarded Gold and only one health center earned Bronze out of 17 Maryland health centers. This is the third year in a row that Mountain Laurel Medical Center has achieved the highest recognition of all Maryland health centers.
In addition to the Silver badge, Mountain Laurel Medical Center was also awarded the Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) badge. This badge recognizes health centers that meet specific criteria to optimize HIT services, such as adopting an electronic health record (EHR) system, offering telehealth services, exchanging clinical information electronically, and collecting data on patient social risk factors. Only 9 health centers in Maryland received this recognition.
The Oakland, Grantsville, and Westernport practice locations have all received Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) designation with distinction in Behavioral Health since 2021. PCMH is a model of care that helps build better relationships between patients and their clinical care teams by providing comprehensive and coordinated care. In order for a health center to achieve PCMH designation, they are required to submit an annual report showing evidence of compliance with the PCMH standards and guidelines. These standards include increased access to care, care management/coordination, specific quality and safety measures, and a focus on the Patient/Provider relationship that prioritizes the patient’s involvement in their care.
Mountain Laurel CEO Brian Bailey said, “Achieving the highest quality recognition in Maryland for the third year in a row is a testimony to the commitment of the entire Mountain Laurel team to our Community’s health. We continue to be honored with this recognition.”
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sarah Call said, “We are proud to be recognized again for our clinical outcomes and thank our team for their dedication to quality.”
Mountain Laurel Medical Center is a community health center with four locations in Oakland, Grantsville, and Westernport, Maryland and Bruceton Mills, West Virginia. Their mission is to “provide the highest quality primary health care to the Community regardless of ability to pay”.