Providence Hospitals Implementation Strategy
Community HealthNeeds Assessment
Columbia, South Carolina
2013
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT PROVIDENCE HOSPITALS.............................................................2
PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT................3
METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE 2013 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS
ASSESSMENT............................................................................................5
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY..................................................................9
CREATING GREATER ACCESS TO CARE.....................................................9
STRATEGY 1: THE HEALTH CARE COLLABORATIVE ...........................10
STRATEGY 2: PROVIDENCE INTERNAL MEDICINE DOWNTOWN.......10
STRATEGY 3: HEALTHY OUTCOMES PLAN.........................................11
STRATEGY 4: EMERGENCY SERVICES REALIGNMENT AT
PROVIDENCE HOSPITALS NORTHEAST..........................................11
STRATEGY 5: CONTINUATION OF CHARITY CARE.............................12
TRIPLE AIM FOCUS IMPROVING POPULATION HEALTH.........................13
STRATEGY 1: PROVIDE HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS..........13
AREA OF FOCUS 1: CORPORATE WELLNESS.........................13
AREA OF FOCUS 2: EMPLOYEE WELLNESS............................15
AREA OF FOCUS 3: COMMUNITY WELLNESS........................16
IDENTIFIED ISSUES NOT BEING ADDRESSED..........................................18
IN CONCLUSION.....................................................................................19
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PROVIDENCE HOSPITALS
2013 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA)
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
ABOUT PROVIDENCE HOSPITALS
Providence Hospitals is the Midlands leading provider of cardiovascular and orthopedic
services. Providence is an accredited chest pain center and is composed of two hospitals,
thirteen physician practices, a network of rehabilitation centers, three sleep centers, and a
school of cardiac diagnostics. In total, Providence employs more than 2,000 dedicated staff.
Founded in 1938 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine, and a member of the Cleveland
based Sisters of Charity Health System, Providence is known state wide for outstanding clinical
quality and compassionate care. The Providence open heart surgery program has ranked
consistently in the top 15% of open heart programs for the past six and one-half years. Both the
orthopedic and cardiac services have previously received the South Carolina BlueCross
BlueShield centers of distinction designation.
Providence Hospitals is a Catholic faith-based ministry and our Mission: “In the spirit of the
Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, Providence Hospitals will extend the healing ministry of
Jesus Christ to God’s people” is the foundation of what we do and who we are. Our strong Core
Values of RESPECT, COMPASSION, COLLABORATION, COURAGE, and JUSTICE are
driving forces that guide our behaviors and our choices.
RESPECT that values dignity and sacredness of life from conception to death.
COMPASSION that comes from the heart, is expressed in concern, empathy and
support, and leads us to respond to persons experiencing need, pain, suffering and
loss.
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COLLABORATION that fosters the sharing of gifts and talents, encourages interaction,
empowers others for service and facilitates networking with individuals and
organizations.
COURAGE that identifies need, explores options based on integrity, makes difficult
decisions wisely and takes risks in responding creatively to human needs.
JUSTICE that develops right relationships, seeks the common good, addresses needs
of the poor and vulnerable, and acts as responsible stewards of all resources.
Our Mission and our Core Values lead us to respond to the needs identified in our 2013
Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).
“In its efforts to strategically respond to and address the unmet needs of the communities
it serves, SCHS is committed to sustainable community benefit programming in support of
its Catholic mission and tax exempt status. Community benefits are programs that are
designed to address the needs of the overall community, low income and other
disadvantaged individuals and families who deserve special attention and priority.
Community benefits include charity care, unreimbursed cost of Medicaid and other
means-tested government-funded insurance programs for the underserved, health
professions education, research and costs associated with community outreach, as well
as programs to build community capacity.” (Sisters of Charity Health System Policy on
Community Benefits: Finance 4.5)
PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNITY NEEDS HEALTH ASSESSMENT
A provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 requires all tax exempt
hospitals to conduct a community health needs assessment every three years. Palmetto Health
and Providence Hospitals complied with this new provision and conducted an initial assessment
in 2011 and updated the data in 2013. The results will be reported on the IRS Form 990,
Schedule H for tax year 2013 and posted on Providence Hospitals’ web page.
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METHODOLOGY
Palmetto Health (PH) is a two hospital system consisting of Palmetto Richland and Palmetto
Baptist. Providence Hospitals, a Catholic hospital ministry, is a faith-based organization of the
Sisters of Charity Health System. Providence is located in downtown Columbia with a second
hospital in the northeast area of Columbia. Mr. Charles D. Beaman, Jr., CEO of Palmetto
Health, and Mr. George Zara, CEO of Providence Hospitals, discussed the possibility of jointly
conducting the Community Health Needs Assessment. Both systems serve the same population
and working collaboratively would conserve resources. Mr. Beaman and Mr. Zara agreed and
identified personnel in their respective organizations to work collaboratively to fulfill the
requirements of the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The population was
identified as Richland and Lexington Counties. These two counties are considered Palmetto
Health’s and Providence Hospitals’ primary service area. Primary Service Area (PSA) is defined
as 75% of in-patient discharges and the Secondary Service Area (SSA) is defined as the next
10%. This includes the counties of Richland, Lexington, Chester, Clarendon, Fairfield,
Kershaw, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Sumter.
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The process of gathering data/information incorporated both qualitative and quantitative
methods. Secondary research was used from community agencies. Primary research (both
qualitative and quantitative) was gathered through National Research Corporation’s (NRC)
Community Needs Assessment, Palmetto Health’s and Providence’s Emergency Room data,
Mission 2011 and 2012 data, Providence Hospitals’ and Palmetto Health’s survey via email,
town hall meetings and interviews with community stakeholders. The qualitative portion of the
CHNA consisted of interviews and town hall meetings of community leaders, elected officials
and stakeholders. These were done simultaneously to help form our questions and to confirm
what we were hearing from our interviews. Further in-depth details are contained in the
assessment itself.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE
2013 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT
The collective data supports the top critical areas listed below as the most significant unmet
health needs in Richland and Lexington Counties, particularly with households making less than
$25,000 per year. These top critical areas were determined by considering the information in all
the data sources, looking at the top percentile rankings in community surveys conducted, the
frequency of issues mentioned in town hall meetings, service provider surveys, personal
interviews and other components of data collected as identified in the main body of the
assessment.
Access to Care 33%: In the 2013 Providence Hospitals’ survey, 33% of the respondents who
indicated they had difficulty receiving health care in the last 12 months were uninsured. The
Providence Hospitals and NRC 2012 survey, along with *Mission 2011 and 2012 data, provide
us with the underlying reasons responders in the various data points are uninsured,
underinsured or have had difficulty accessing health care. Identified barriers to health care,
which are understood as medical, dental and vision care, are:
Cost of coverage: 53%-64%
Employer does not offer coverage: 15%
Unemployed: 33%
Previous medical condition: 6%
Don’t understand plans: 10%
Insurance does not cover or is not accepted: 39%
Transportation: 4-7%
High Blood Pressure (29-39%) and High Cholesterol (23-28%) remain in the top 4 identified
issues as significantly high health risk when compared to NRC 2010 data. However 41% and
21% of the respondents respectively have also indicated in 2012 that they have engaged in
preventative behaviors but at a lower rate when compared to the NRC 2010 data.
*Mission 2011 & 2012 were events where service providers across the community gathered for two days
to provide free care to the underinsured or uninsured in our communities.
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Smoking: Thirty-six percent of respondents in the NRC data report this risk, and 27% of the
Providence survey responders also identify themselves as smokers. DHEC data indicates that
21.8% of Lexington County’s and 17.4% of Richland County’s residents are smokers.
Engagement in preventative behavior for this condition, however, remains in the bottom 4
categories.
Depression & Anxiety 30%: NRC data identifies depression and anxiety as a health risk and in
17% of the Providence survey responders as well. Additionally, 27% of the survey respondents
report feeling sad or worried. Service provider interviews support that mental health issues exist
as unmet needs in the community.
Obesity rate of 14-31%: The NRC assessment identifies obesity as a high health risk for
households with incomes of less than $25,000, but is slightly higher at 16% in higher income
levels. 22% of the Providence survey participants stated that a physician diagnosed them as
obese. DHEC data for Lexington and Richland Counties lists obesity at 31%. Provider surveys
support the conclusion that obesity is a high health risk and the LCHP survey indicates it as the
second highest need.
Diabetes 8-23%: NRC data indicates that diabetes is 23% among households with < $25,000
income. DHEC data for Lexington and Richland Counties indicates 8-10% of the population, and
the Providence survey indicates diabetes is 13% among survey participants.
Dental Care 58%: Although dental care was not specifically considered in the surveys or DHEC
statistics, our local emergency room data and data from Mission 2011 and 2012 efforts reveal a
gap in dental care in the community. 58% of the population served at Mission 2012 presented
with dental needs. Providence Hospitals’ survey indicated that 32% of individuals having
difficulty receiving care identified dental care as the top issue.
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Emergency room data indicates that:
1. The number of dental cases has grown by an average of 21% each year since 2009.
2. The number of non-emergent cases, which can be seen in a dental office, to total cases has
grown from 62% in 2009 to 73% in 2012.
3. Eighty-one percent is unfunded or Medicaid at Palmetto Health Hospitals.
4. Providence Hospitals had 1245 cases presented in FY 2012 with 75% as Medicaid and self-
pay.
Other Information:
Participants were asked in the Providence-Palmetto survey for which health topics they wanted
more information. Heart related illnesses, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease,
heart attack, etc. had the highest percentage of responses at 15%. Diabetes had the second
highest percentage of responses at 14.55%. The topic of cancer in its various forms was third
on the list at 13.18%. The collective responses related to eating healthy, weight loss and obesity
were fourth on the list at 11.8%.
When participants were asked the question about health topics they thought their children
needed more information about the top three answers were:
Nutrition 27.14%
Dental Hygiene 18.6%
Drug Abuse 11.63%.
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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
2014-2016
The Steering Committee for the CHNA gathered to view the data/results of the assessment
once it was completed. They reviewed the top health issues that were identified and began to
discuss an implementation strategy to address these issues. Identification of current strategies
and new strategies were discussed and chosen as ways to move forward to address the
identified needs. Subsequently, both the CHNA and implementation strategy were presented to
the Executive Committee of Providence Hospitals Board of Trustees and finally to the entire
Board of Trustees on December 3, 2013 and given final approval.
Providence Hospitals’ Implementation Strategy has two main areas of focus: CREATING
GREATER ACCESS TO CARE and IMPROVING POPULATION HEALTH, which is a
component of the Triple Aim Focus.
CREATING GREATER ACCESS TO CARE
Providence Hospitals has identified 5 different strategies to enhance the availability of health
care to the uninsured and underinsured population of individuals in our market area. We know
that, ’Richland County has 49,204 uninsured individuals and Lexington County contains 38,397
uninsured individuals’. **
In the 2013 Providence Hospitals survey, 33% of the respondents that indicated they had
difficulty receiving health care in the last 12 months were uninsured. The top barriers to health
care (understood as medical, dental and vision care), were identified in the executive summary
above.
Providence Hospitals’ data indicates that for the past three fiscal years, our own emergency
room experienced 49,188 uninsured patient visits, which further confirms that access to
appropriate care in the appropriate place is a high need/priority.
**Environmental Scan State Analysis, Dr. Ana Lòpez-De Fede, Institute for Families in Society, Division of
policy and research on Medicaid and Medicare, University of South Carolina, 1600 Hampton Street,
Suite 507, Columbia, SC 29208, Used with Permission
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STRATEGY 1: THE HEALTH CARE COLLABORATIVE
The Health Care Collaborative is a collaborative effort of 6 community organizations working
together to expand and enhance access to dental, vision and medical care, creating a medical
home for the poor and uninsured in one location. This will enable individuals to have access to
manage their health needs in the most appropriate and affordable setting.
The collaborating partners (not intended to be understood as business partners) are: Sisters of
Charity Providence Hospitals, Lexington Medical Center, Palmetto Health, SC Optometric
Physicians Association, The Free Medical Clinic, and United Way of the Midlands. This effort
arose out of our past collaborative efforts in conducting what we called Mission 2011, 2012, and
now mission 2013. This Mission collaborative effort provided dental, vision and medical care
each year to the poor, uninsured and underinsured for two full days from 6:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m. in
one location. The vast amounts of people coming to receive health care who have not been able
to get it any other way demonstrated to the partners that there is a significant need to find a way
to provide these services all year round and in one location. Thus, the Health Care Collaborative
group started a process to identify resources and space to provide the year round care. We are
currently in the midst of organizing this effort and have a plan to implement this effort in 2014.
This effort will address both access to care and dental care. Both of these needs were identified
as the top two health issues in the CHNA.
STRATEGY 2: PROVIDENCE INTERNAL MEDICINE DOWNTOWN
Providence Internal Medicine Downtown is a Providence Hospitals’ owned physician practice
established a little over 2 years ago. This practice was intentionally set up to provide a medical
home to our in-patient population who were uninsured or underinsured. This physician-based
practice has become a medical home to over 350 uninsured or underinsured individuals in our
community. This practice is able to help individuals manage their health care needs, reduce re-
admissions to the in-patient setting, and reduce their need to manage their health in the ER
setting by giving them healthcare access at lower costs compared to a traditional hospital
setting or normal primary care setting. We are going to continue utilizing this practice as a
medical home for the uninsured and underinsured.
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STRATEGY 3: HEALTHY OUTCOMES PLAN
This is a South Carolina state initiative in which we have decided to participate. This is a new
strategy for Providence Hospitals and the intention of this initiative is to focus on uninsured
patients with chronic illnesses who frequently utilize the emergency department to manage their
illness. This program is an additional way to help patients get the right care they need in the
right place. This calls us to action to be intentional and develop a plan that identifies who these
patients are. As the plan is executed Providence Hospitals will assist patients with:
Finding quality care they can afford
Getting access to the medicines they need
Establishing a medical home for routine care and chronic illness management
Currently, our plans will utilize Providence Internal Medicine Downtown and the Free Medical
Clinic as medical homes. We will also assist those individuals who do qualify for insurance in
finding a medical home as we do not want them to be left unassisted in this effort and fall back
into a pattern of using the emergency room. This effort will also attempt to understand the
social/environmental barriers to accessing health care, such as transportation needs, and
partner with the patient where possible to break down these barriers.
STRATEGY 4: EMERGENCY SERVICES REALIGNMENT AT
PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL NORTHEAST
This is a new strategy which has a particular focus on Providence Hospitals’ Northeast facility.
We are aware that our Northeast hospital’s emergency room patients are mostly of a non-
emergent nature. Yet, the patients seek care in the emergency room, which is the most
expensive place for them to receive care. There are very few alternatives on this side of town.
This new strategy for Providence Hospital Northeast will transform a portion of the existing
emergency room into an Urgent Care Center. This will allow the uninsured or underinsured and
even the insured patients to receive the appropriate care needed in the most appropriate setting
for their needs and the more affordable setting to match their needs.
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STRATEGY 5: CONTINUATION of CHARITY CARE
Providence Hospitals’ core value of JUSTICE compels us to address the needs of the poor and
vulnerable. As part of its mission, the hospital provides care for those patients of the community
who do not have the ability to pay and for those whose care is under- funded. As part of the
annual budget process, Senior Management estimates the level of charity care expected for the
fiscal year.
Providence Hospitals charity care policy states:
Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals shall have an organized charity
program designed to meet the needs of the community through an
expression of Christian concern and the continuance of Christ's
Healing Ministry for those in need of health services to the extent that
resources are available. Any patient may apply for charity care
assistance and all applications will be considered without regard to
race, creed, national origin, religious preference or disability. Sisters of
Charity Providence Hospitals will provide charity care to those patients
whom are determined to have insufficient financial means to pay for
their healthcare. Eligibility will be based on the hospital's eligibility
criteria, which will be indexed to the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
(Policy ID#338228)
Providence Hospitals’ core value of JUSTICE also compels us to be good stewards of its
resources and we desire to enable others to be partners with us in that stewardship.
Consequently, we will assist patients in exploring other resources that may be available to
them such as Medicare, Medicaid, public assistance, commercial or any other third party
coverage.
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TRIPLE AIM FOCUS
IMPROVING POPULATION HEALTH
As indicated above in the Executive Summary, the CHNA identified other health issues in the
community that are not necessarily about access to care, but about a prevalence of health
conditions. The top health issues identified were high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking,
obesity, and diabetes. This focus is not limited to the poor, uninsured, or underinsured, but
serves the community at large as well.
STRATEGY 1: PROVIDE HEALTH and WELLNESS PROGRAMS
Providence Hospitals has one main strategy with three different focuses to impact the overall
health of our community. We believe this strategy is complementary to the strategy of creating
greater access to health care.
Area of Focus 1: CORPORATE WELLNESS
We will work with other corporations and other employers to keep their work force healthy.
Providence Health & Wellness can provide an organization with health, wellness and
educational services. These services consist of wellness screenings, one-on-one consultation,
health educational programs, health and wellness challenges as well as other health-related
services as needed – all focusing on the total health and wellness of the participants. We will
expand these services to more organizations as one strategy of impacting and improving
population health.
One-on-One Lifestyle Coaching is designed for those employees who participate in the initial
Wellness Screening and Consultation and are termed “high risk”. One-on-One Lifestyle
Coaching will continue until the employees have reached a maintenance level. These Lifestyle
Coaching sessions will include a Personal Wellness Profile, weight, blood pressure, pulse, etc.
High risk status is assigned to those employees who have two or more major health risk factors.
These risk factors include:
BMI > 30
HDL Cholesterol < 35
LDL Cholesterol > 130
Blood Pressure > 140/90
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Fasting Glucose > 115
Health Score < 25
Lifestyle Coaching will occur twice during the year. New goals will be set each time and
progress will be recorded. Once employees are no longer termed “high risk,” they will move out
of this program and into the general maintenance program.
Group and executive report results will determine health education programs selected for
employee groups. These programs, delivered on-site, will be tailored to the company’s specific
needs and based on outcomes of the company’s wellness profile.
Examples of possible programs offered on site:
Nutrition 101
Healthy Choices: From the Store to the Restaurant
Cholesterol Connections
Oh, the (Blood) Pressure
Control Your Diabetes Instead of it Controlling You
Weight Management and Fad Dieting
Stress Busters
Physical Activity
Smoking Cessation
Each employee will be given the option to meet with a registered and licensed dietitian for
education and guidance concerning his/her nutritional needs. These one-on-one sessions are
optional and are open to all employees, regardless of risk status.
Health & Wellness Challenges are also available for corporations. The program is designed to
emphasize the total health and wellness of employees as well as foster an environment of
wellness. The program extends over a three month period and encourages competition as well
as team work. Employers are encouraged to offer incentives for the winning team of three.
Teams of three individuals will work together to try to earn the most points. Points are based on
exercise, weight loss, dietary habits and drinking water. Different activities equate to different
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point levels. Teams will turn in weekly exercise logs for tracking points. Point updates will be
given weekly so that teams can see how they match up to the rest of the competition.
Area of Focus 2: EMPLOPYEE WELLNESS
This area of focus is on our own employees. They are also our community members and have
the same illnesses and chronic diseases as any other members of the community. Providence
Hospitals’ wellness program focuses on health status outcomes. Employees must show proof of
positive health status outcomes at the end of the year (12/31/14) to receive their 2015 benefits
at a reduced rate.
Requirements for joining the Program:
Completion of lab work. Lab draws will be done in- house during the month of January
2014.
Completion of the online Personal Wellness Profile (PWP) in February.
Program Completion Requirements
In addition to the Personal Wellness Profile and lab work, program participants will be required
to collect points using a pre-determined point system. Participants must amass twelve points
annually to receive the program benefits.
Based on the results of the PWP and lab work, he/she will be placed into one of four categories:
Elevated Blood Sugar
Elevated Blood Pressure
Weight Management
Health Maintenance
Completion of the 2014 program will be results based:
Completion of the base educational classes required by the identified health status
category and outlined in the ‘2014 Wellness Points Guide’
Elevated Blood Sugar path must show management of blood sugar levels and increased
physical activity and/or weight reduction. A1-C Levels below 5.7 for non-diabetic
employee and A1-C levels below 6.5 for diabetic employee is considered successful
control of blood sugar. To complete 2014 wellness requirements, employees in the
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category must show either control or 1-2% reduction in A1-C level over the course of the
year.
Elevated Blood Pressure path must show a reduction and management of HTN and
increased physical activity and/or weight reduction. Blood pressure levels must be
below 140/90 or show a 5-10% reduction in weight over the course of the year.
Weight Management path must show a weight reduction and increased physical activity.
5-10% reduction in weight is considered successful completion.
Health Maintenance must show continuation of physical activity levels and overall
healthy lifestyle.
Area of Focus 3: COMMUNITY WELLNESS
This area of focus will be the community at large.
The 2014 Community Calendar of events is currently under development. At minimum,
Providence will host two ‘Speaking of Your Health’ programs for our community each
month. These programs provide health education by physicians and clinicians to our
community at no charge.
2014 Speaking of Your Health program titles will include but are not limited to:
Sex After Heart Attack
Menopause & Heart Disease
Vitamin D and Your Heart
Weight Loss and Back Pain
Eating on The Road
Proper Shoes for Exercise
The New Normal –Life After Heart Attack
Osteoporosis
Allergies/Dry Eyes
GERD - Gastroesophageal reflux disease
ADD/ADHD
PVD – Peripheral Vascular Disease
Depression after Heart Attack
CHF – Congestive Heart Failure
Diabetic Neuropathy
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Your Heart and Your Genes
Surviving the Holidays - Stress
Providence will provide vascular screenings to the community. This quick and non-
invasive screening for men & women provided by the School of Cardiovascular
Diagnostics at Providence Hospital is designed to evaluate one’s vascular health and
has three components:
1. Echocardiogram: An ultrasound is taken of your heart. These images show
the structure and movement of the heart, along with blood flow through it with each
beat- allowing any abnormalities to be seen, measured, and identified.
2. Carotid ultrasound: An ultrasound is taken of the carotid arteries in your neck. These
images show the size and structure of the carotid arteries, along with the blood flow
through it- allowing any abnormalities to be seen, measured, and identified.
3. Ankle-Brachial Index: Blood pressures are taken on your arms and ankles to
measure any difference in blood pressures. These differences in pressures can
indicate the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Each case is individually reviewed and reported on by a board certified cardiologist
of Providence Heart & Vascular Institute. Results will be mailed following the
screening. This screening does not require a physician’s order or insurance.
Providence will also provide HOCM screenings. Hypertrophic Obstructive
Cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is the leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young
athletes. HOCM is responsible for 36% of deaths in young athletes, and 90% of these
deaths occur during athletic activities. This quick and non-invasive screening, provided
by the Providence School of Cardiovascular Diagnostics, is the gold standard in
detecting this deadly disease. No physicians order or insurance are required.
Work has also begun to develop community gardening projects in several communities
throughout Columbia. Through collaboration with other community members, we believe
we will have a positive impact on the long term health of our community through
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community-based gardening which gives access to fruits and vegetables. Cooking
classes and gardening classes will be a part of the overall strategy for this development.
Providence will host EMS education sessions, at a minimum of six times per year.
These programs will focus on educating EMS staff in our area on proper STEMI and
other Providence Hospitals’ protocols as well as general health education. The desired
outcome is that through sharing information and ideas we will have a greater impact on
the health of our community.
IDENTIFIED ISSUES NOT BEING ADDRESSED
MENTAL HEALTH: The third top issue identified in the CHNA is the area of mental health.
Providence Hospitals will not be directly addressing this significant need in the community as
Providence Hospitals possesses no expertise and has no services to offer in this area since our
hospitals service line focuses are cardiology and orthopedics. However, Providence Hospitals
will engage with elected officials and community leaders, our Board, and support Sisters of
Charity Health System mission-focused advocacy to increase health coverage, including
behavioral health coverage, through national, state and local public policy.
TOPICS of EDUCATION: The topic of cancer in its various forms will not be education that
Providence Hospitals will provide. While we do offer Palliative Care and or Hospice Care to
patients who are dying from cancer we do not offer oncology services. Consequently, we would
not be the providers of education in the field of cancer.
Participants indicated the top health topics they thought their children needed more information
about. These were nutrition, dental hygiene and drug abuse. We have no plans to address this
directly, as we are not the experts in dental hygiene, although it may ultimately be an outreach
effort of the Health Care Collaborative initiative identified earlier in this document. While we
bring expertise in nutrition, our expertise is with adults, and not children, as we do not provide
pediatric services. We also have no expertise regarding drug abuse. However, we will reach out
to other organizations that do have expertise in these areas and let them know the findings of
our CHNA and encourage them to provide the needed education.
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IN CONCLUSION
Providence Hospitals remains committed to identifying and addressing the health needs of
those in the communities we serve. While we cannot address all of the human needs that exist
in our surrounding communities, we will bring quality care to all those we serve regardless of
their ability to pay. We will continue to seek creative ways to address the needs that arise and
collaborate with others in the community whenever possible. Together we can make a positive
difference in the lives of those we serve.