Rogers-Lowell Area News

Northwest Health's Dr. Andrea Read Achieves National Certification in Health Care Quality

Andrea Read, D.O., who serves as Medical Director for the Community Quality Alliance, a clinically integrated network (CIN) affiliated with Northwest Health, has earned certification in Health Care Quality and Management (HCQM) from The American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review, according to Bruce Shepard, Executive Director.

“Physicians who are certified in HCQM must demonstrate superior ability to critically evaluate industry literature, identify evidence-based best practices, and make recommendations that balance appropriateness of health care services with cost and quality,” Shepard said. “Certified physicians must demonstrate practical knowledge and awareness of tools that can reduce medical errors, ensure patient safety, and eliminate waste and unnecessary services, while avoiding potentially harmful delays in care. The result of their work is a safer, more efficient and cost-effective system that better satisfies the needs of patients, providers, purchasers, and payers. We are so fortunate to have a physician of Dr. Read’s credentials and experience working with us.”

Through the Community Quality Alliance CIN, Northwest Health is moving towards a more collaborative way of providing care, working with patients, providers and payers to build a care system that helps to coordinate care for patients. Under value-based care models, providers are rewarded for helping patients accomplish three primary objectives: improve their health, reduce the effects and incidence of chronic disease, and live healthier lives using evidence-based best practices. It refocuses the way providers are paid for care since pay is based in part on whether the highest quality care is provided in the most appropriate setting at the right time.

To help achieve these goals, Northwest Health founded the Community Quality Alliance, one of the state’s first clinically integrated networks (CIN), in 2016. In 2018, the organization launched a Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization (ACO), Community Health Alliance of the Ozarks.