Mid-Atlantic Family Practice earns national recognition

Mid-Atlantic Family Practice has received national acknowledgment recognizing the staff's success in using teamwork and information technology to improve quality of care and reduce costs. Mid-Atlantic Family Practice is two of 26 locations in Delaware to achieve the distinction of Patient-Centered Home Level 3, from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Dr. Jeffrey Heckert, President and CEO of Mid-Atlantic Family practice, said his staff pursued this recognition because it’s an investment in providing better care in a more timely manner, which benefits patients and the community. “The standards allow us to prove that we are practicing high-quality medicine,” he said.

It took the practice over a year of implementing new processes to achieve the required standards. Processes include a team-based approach to managing patient health, encompassing doctors, nurses, technicians, and most importantly, the patient. The medical office has daily briefings for staff, ensuring patient needs are met during appointments. Staff members focus on managing a high quality of care not only during office visits, but also by communicating with patients between visits. This ensures patients are taking medications and understand at-home care instructions, getting testing done, and scheduling their follow-up appointments. More comprehensive patient care between visits improves continuity of care and leads to reduced costs.

Mid-Atlantic Family Practice started in 2004 with one location. It has grown to two locations, one on Route 24 in Lewes and one on Route 113 in Millsboro. More information on the practice can be found on their website: http://www.mafp.net/