AACHC Program Overview

Clinical Programs

The Association Clinical Programs department assists Community Health Centers (CHC's) in improving clinical quality and sharing resources, tools, policies and procedures. The program serves as an information clearinghouse and education center for clinicians, administrators, and staff.

The Clinical Leadership Program includes clinical/quality leadership, transformation of practices through healthcare improvement, and learning models such as the U.S. Bureau of Primary Health Care Health Disparities Collaboratives on Chronic Disease Management.

Technical assistance is offered to CHC's for developing quality infrastructure and support systems including JCAHO (Joint Commission of Health Care Organizations) preparation and accreditation. Other initiatives include patient satisfaction methods, advice on risk management, strategic clinical partnerships, behavioral health/primary care integration, and a host of quality-of-care programs.

Clinical Programs activities are designed to share "best practices"; and assist in statewide and national bioterrorism preparedness. Clinical Programs staff works with the Western Clinicians Network (WCN) and the Pacific West Health Disparities Collaborative in California to improve communications between clinical professionals, implement continuing education activities, and improve communication between CHC administration and clinical staff.

Clinical Programs coordinates the meetings of both the Association Clinical Committee, with a membership of CHC Medical Directors, and the Association Continuous Organizational Performance Subcommittee (COPS), whose membership is nurse managers, quality directors, and operations directors from member Community Health Centers.