PCMH          THOMAS HUGHES, MD                          & PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL HOME     Thomas Hughes, MD  is proud to announce that we achieved Level 3 recognition from the National Center for Quality Assurance, the highest level of recognition for Patient-Centered Medical Home. We are very proud of the work we are doing and look forward to providing excellence in healthcare going forward!   What is a Patient-Centered Medical Home? ~It is a team approach to providing total health care at our office for you.   Who is part of you Patient-Centered Medical Home Team? ~Thomas Hughes, MD ~All other staff at our office ~Most importantly – YOU!  You are the most important person on your health care team.  Patient-centered is a way of saying that you are the focus of your health care. ~ Other Providers you are seeing   What do you need to do as part of your Patient-Centered Medical Home team? Keep your medical home providers informed! ~Let Dr. Hughes know about care you receive from other health care professionals ~Ask other providers to send a copy of consult to Dr. Hughes after every visit (including any tests performed) ~Call your medical home first with questions and appointment requests before you go to an Urgent Care Center or Emergency Room! (Except in an emergency) ~Call our office during regular business hours as follows:           Monday 9 am to 4:30 pm           Tuesday 9 am to 4:30 pm           Wednesday 9 am to 12 pm           Thursday 9am to 4:30 pm           Friday 9 am to 3 pm ~After Hours and on Weekends call  (716) 286-1832 for our answering service ~Let Dr. Hughes office know if you have been in the hospital.  Call our office as soon as you are discharged from the hospital to set up appropriate follow up visits.  ~Let you medical home know of any change in your medications after a hospital stay or from a visit with another health care professional ~Bring all of your medication (or a list of your medications) with you to each visit Take an active role in your own health ~Follow the health care plan that you and your team agreed on ~Set goals that you can reach.  Once these goals have been reached discuss new goals ~Tell you team if you are having trouble staying with your care plan or it is not working for you.   What can your Patient-Centered Medical home do for you?                 ~Help you manage your health care                 ~Help answer all your health questions                 ~Listen to your concerns                 ~Coordinate your care if additional services are needed                 ~Encourage you to play an active role in your own health