HSNT Receives Silver Level Health Center Quality Leader Badge from HRSA
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In August of 2024, Health Services of North Texas (HSNT) received a Health Center Quality Leader badge from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for the year 2023. Quality Leader badges are awarded to community health centers across the U.S. that have made significant strides towards improving progress on HRSA’s designated clinical quality measures. HSNT was awarded a Quality Leader badge at the silver level, which places the organization in the top 11-20% of U.S. health centers based on their patient metrics. This is one level higher than the bronze level badge which was awarded to HSNT for the year 2022.
In addition to the Quality Leader badge at the silver level, HSNT was also awarded the Access Enhancer and Health Disparities Reducer badges. Access Enhancer badges are awarded to health centers that either earn at least one Quality Leader badge or improve by at least 15% in one or more clinical quality measures in back-to-back reporting years; as well as increase their total number of patients served and patients receiving mental health, substance use disorder, vision, dental, or enabling services by at least 5% in back-to-back reporting years. From 2022 to 2023, HSNT increased their metrics by over 15% for the measures of Breast Cancer Screening, Hypertension Control, and HIV Testing. HSNT’s total number of patients increased by 7.88%, from 16,795 patients in 2022 to 18,118 patients in 2023. In addition, the number of patients receiving behavioral health services increased by 6.5%, and those receiving enabling services such as case management or health education increased by almost 60%.
Health Disparity Reducer badges are awarded to health centers that qualify for the Access Enhancer badge and meet additional criteria in improving rates of low birth weight, hypertension, or uncontrolled diabetes. The requirements for this badge also consider quality measures stratified by racial and ethnic groups.
Regarding these awards, HSNT’s Chief Operating Officer Debra Layman stated “I am very proud and elated in achieving the Silver Quality Leader Badge and the Access Enhancer and Health Disparities Reducer badges from HRSA. These awards are a result of an organization-wide commitment to providing the highest level of care and access to care that is possible. Our Quality Committee as well as our Governing Board are instrumental in guiding the direction of our Programs and services, and that support and guidance is invaluable.”
A large part of HSNT’s success is due to the healthcare providers and staff that provide compassionate, individualized care to patients at the healthcare centers every day. “Our patients and community deserve the best possible outcomes that we can achieve, but it takes a daily focus on care delivery processes and one on one support to our patients,” says Layman.
HSNT is dedicated to continuing their role in the North Texas community as quality leaders in healthcare by providing residents with the care they need, regardless of ability to pay. In the first half of 2024, HSNT served over 15,000 patients at health centers across Denton and Collin County, including over 6,800 children. HSNT prides itself as a health center where all members of the North Texas community can receive quality, compassionate care, regardless of their life circumstances or where they are in their personal healthcare journey. Regarding their experience at HSNT, patient Claudia commented, “My health has been well-managed, and I’ve been able to get the care I need without financial stress.”
Learn more about how you can donate to support patient care for North Texans in need or lea rn more about Health Services of North Texas on our website. Contact Teri Johnson to schedule a tour of one of their health centers and see the impact HSNT is making firsthand. For more information about the requirements to earn one of HRSA’s Quality Leader badges, please visit their Community Health Quality Recognition Overview website. You can also review yearly data from HSNT and other community health centers at https://data.hrsa.gov/tools/data-reporting/program-data.
Health Services of North Texas
Serving the North Texas community since 1988, Health Services of North Texas is a nonprofit healthcare center providing accessible primary healthcare through 6 locations in Denton and Collin Counties. With the mission of improving the quality of life for all North Texans through medical care, support services, and advocacy, Health Services of North Texas served over 18,000 patients in 2023. Health Services of North Texas is recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, with a distinction in Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, and is looking forward to establishing a presence in the Serve Lewisville Center in the near future.
Contact:
Teri Johnson, Director of Marketing and Communications
940-293-6009