Quality & Accreditation
New Bedford Community Health is committed to providing exceptional healthcare for everyone in our community. We have been accredited from several nationally recognized organizations in order to hold ourselves to providing healthcare at the highest standard.
Accreditation involves regular, on-site inspections of our safety environment and reviews of our patients’ health outcomes and satisfaction metrics. Provider and staff qualifications and training requirements are also reviewed.
Our Accreditations
National Committee for Quality Assurance
New Bedford Community Health is recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home by The National Committee for Quality Assurance. The NCQA is a private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. This organization is a central figure in driving improvement throughout the health care system, helping to elevate the issue of health care quality to the top of the national agenda. For you this means that they have agreed that we are well-managed and that we deliver high-quality care and service. We follow their guidelines and report annually on our progress.
HRSA Health Quality Leader
New Bedford Community Health received several Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). These awards recognize Health Center Program awardees that have made notable quality improvement achievements in the areas of access, quality, health equity, health information technology, and COVID-19 public health emergency response for the most recent UDS reporting period.
Our Health Center Quality Leader Awards
At New Bedford Community Health, quality is at the heart of everything we do. Each year, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recognizes health centers across the nation for excellence in clinical care, health outcomes, access, and innovation. In 2025, NBCH was proud to earn multiple HRSA Quality Badges, reflecting our dedication to providing safe, high-quality, and accessible care for our community.
Health Center Quality Leader badges are awarded annually by the Health Resources and Services Administration to health centers across the country. Criteria is adjusted each year to ensure each award is meaningful as clinical and community services improve across the spectrum. Badges are awarded based on the prior year’s Unified Data System (UDS) data from each organization.
2025 Health Center Quality Leader: Silver
New Bedford Community Health has been awarded the 2025 Silver Health Center Quality Leader (HCQL) Badge by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This recognition places NBCH among the top 11-20% of health centers nationwide for overall clinical quality performance, based on Adjusted Quartile Rankings (AQR) from the latest Uniform Data System (UDS). Earning this badge reflects our dedication to consistently delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to our community.
2025 National Quality Leader (NQL) Heart Health
New Bedford Community Health is proud to have been awarded the 2025 National Quality Leader (NQL) Heart Health Badge from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This recognition honors our success in meeting or exceeding national goals for heart health care, including tobacco cessation, aspirin/antiplatelet therapy, statin use, and blood pressure control. It reflects our continued commitment to improving cardiovascular health and delivering the highest quality care to our patients.
2025 Improving Health Care Access
New Bedford Community Health is proud to be recognized with the 2025 Improving Health Care Access Badge from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This award celebrates our commitment to expanding care by growing our patient reach, enhancing access to services such as behavioral health, dental, and substance use, and achieving measurable improvements in clinical quality. The recognition reflects our ongoing efforts to break down barriers and ensure that more members of our community can receive the care they need.
2025 Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality
New Bedford Community Health has earned the 2025 Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality Badge from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This recognition highlights our success in leveraging technology to improve patient care, including the use of electronic health records, telehealth services, secure information exchange with other providers, patient engagement through health IT, and the collection of data on social risk factors. By advancing these tools, NBCH strengthens access, coordination, and quality of care for our patients. Learn more.
Quality Care Measures: Delivering Better Outcomes for Our Community
Childhood Developmental Screening
NBCH Performance: 94.8%
How We're Improving Outcomes
At NBCH, we believe every child deserves the best possible start. That's why our Pediatric team conducts routine developmental screenings and ensures families receive timely follow-up care when concerns are identified.
To provide support when it's needed most, our care team includes a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Community Health Workers who can connect families to resources, services, and guidance in real time. This collaborative approach helps ensure children receive the support they need without unnecessary delays.
Controlling High Blood Pressure
NBCH Performance: 71.2%
How We're Improving Outcomes
Blood pressure screening is a standard part of care at NBCH. We check every patient's blood pressure at every visit, regardless of the reason for their appointment.
If a patient has an elevated reading of 140/90 or higher, our clinical team retakes the measurement before the visit ends to ensure accuracy and determine whether additional follow-up is needed. We also offer access to an onsite Registered Dietitian who works with patients to develop practical nutrition and lifestyle strategies that support healthier blood pressure levels and long-term wellness.
Depression Screening and Follow-Up Care
Depression screening is a simple but important tool that helps providers identify symptoms of depression and connect patients with appropriate support and treatment.
NBCH Performance: 64.6%
Mental health plays a vital role in overall well-being. Early identification of depression can lead to timely treatment, improved quality of life, and better health outcomes. Without appropriate care, depression can have serious consequences, including increased risk of substance use, social isolation, and suicide.
How We're Improving Outcomes
While many quality programs require depression screening only once each year, NBCH takes a more proactive approach.
We recognize that life circumstances can change quickly. Challenges related to work, family, finances, health, or other stressors may arise at any time. That's why we screen patients for depression at every visit whenever appropriate, rather than waiting for an annual screening opportunity.
This approach allows our providers to identify concerns sooner, start important conversations, and connect patients with behavioral health services, treatment options, and community resources as early as possible. By addressing mental health needs when they arise, we help patients get support when they need it most.
Improving Timeliness of Prenatal Care
Prenatal care includes the medical visits, screenings, and support services expectant mothers receive throughout pregnancy. These visits help monitor both maternal and fetal health and ensure that important testing and preventive care are completed at the right time.
Goal: 91.0%
NBCH Performance: 74.7%
Early and ongoing prenatal care is essential for a healthy pregnancy. Regular visits allow providers to monitor a mother's health, track fetal development, screen for conditions such as gestational diabetes and anemia, and identify potential complications before they become more serious.
How We're Improving
NBCH is strengthening access to prenatal care through enhanced outreach and improved scheduling workflows. Our Clinical Operations team works closely with Family Planning services to help patients with positive pregnancy tests quickly connect to ultrasound appointments, obstetric care, and other important prenatal services. By reducing barriers and increasing support early in pregnancy, we are working to ensure more patients receive timely prenatal care and the healthiest possible start for their growing families.
Childhood Developmental Screening
NBCH Performance: 94.8%
How We're Improving Outcomes
At NBCH, we believe every child deserves the best possible start. That's why our Pediatric team conducts routine developmental screenings and ensures families receive timely follow-up care when concerns are identified.
To provide support when it's needed most, our care team includes a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Community Health Workers who can connect families to resources, services, and guidance in real time. This collaborative approach helps ensure children receive the support they need without unnecessary delays.