Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
| (i)Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
| Total | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any unusual grants.) .... | ||||||
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf....... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | ||||||
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | ||||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | ||||||
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | ||||||
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10. | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose...... | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5. | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons... | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
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| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 1-1/2% of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by .035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | ||
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2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
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| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | ||
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | ||
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required) | ||
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | ||
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | ||
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
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| 9 Distributable amount for 2015 from Section C, line 6 | ||
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | ||
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2015 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2015 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
Distributable amount for 2015 from Section C, line 6 |
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|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2015 (reasonable cause required--see instructions) |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2015: | ||||
| a | ||||
| b | ||||
| c | ||||
| d From 2013....... | ||||
| e From 2014....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2015 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2010 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2015 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2015 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2015, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
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6
Remaining underdistributions for 2015. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
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7 Excess distributions carryover to 2016. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a | ||||
| b | ||||
| c Excess from 2013....... | ||||
| d From 2014....... | ||||
| e From 2015....... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Program Service Accomplishments (cont'd) | Emergency Services In FY2016, total emergency room visits increased 4.8% across the Northside system, surpassing 169,000. Due to continued volume growth and in order to serve patients in a timely manner, Northside initiated several projects in FY2016 with the goals of reducing patient wait times and improving operational efficiencies. These projects included: - "Team Triage" at the Forsyth ER which expanded triage capacity and enables patients to be seen by a provider in the triage area that can examine, treat and discharge the patient without having to place the patient in an Emergency Department bed. This concept allows patients to be seen faster and cuts door-to-triage and door-to-provider times. Given its success, this concept is being implemented at the Atlanta campus in FY 2017. - The Atlanta campus ER initiated a process improvement project dubbed "Decision-to-Discharge - Actual Discharge". This initiative's goal was to improve operational efficiency and improve ER throughput. At the project's conclusion, Atlanta's ER experienced a 6-7 minute reduction in the timeframe to deliver care. Oncology Services In 2016, the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute ("NHCI") continued to strengthen its services and infrastructure to better support the growing cancer care needs of the communities served. Below is a summary of the major successes in 2016: - Successfully completed Year 2 of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Oncology Research Program grant and ranked No. 2 NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) community site in the U.S. for accruals to NRG Oncology research protocols. - Continued to be ranked nationally by NCI as a top accrual site to high-priority Precision Medicine trials. - Received three-year Commission on Cancer (CoC) reaccreditation with commendation. - Awarded Outstanding Achievement Award for the 5th consecutive survey cycle by CoC. - Received three-year National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers reaccreditation. - First hospital in Georgia to be awarded the Lung Cancer Disease Specific Care Certification by Joint Commission, making NHCI one of only six hospitals in the U.S. with this certification. - NHCI's affiliated partners, Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS) and Atlanta Cancer Care (ACC), continue active participation in the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) program. - Enrolled in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers (NQMBC) data submission and benchmarking initiative. - Successfully completed Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) reaccreditation for Blood and Marrow Transplant clinical program. - Chosen to partner with Cancer Support Community Atlanta (CSCA) for the Cancer Moonshot 2020 Initiative. Radiology Services - In late FY2015 Northside increased its imaging network from 36 locations to nearly 60 locations. The expanded geographic coverage enables Northside to provide complimentary services to Oncology and Primary Care providers, as well as to provide expanded access to imaging services to its patients. - In FY2016 Northside's radiology network experienced a volume of over 535,000 patient encounters. - In furtherance of its charitable mission, Northside developed an Imaging Charity Referral Program which aims to connect uninsured/underinsured patients in need of imaging services with one of Northside's fifteen charitable imaging locations ("Charitable Imaging Location"). (While all Northside locations accept patients regardless of their ability to pay and provide financial assistance to those who qualify for such assistance under Northside's Financial Assistance Program, Northside's Charitable Imaging Locations have specific and separate indigent/charity care commitments resulting from Georgia's Certificate of Need program.) Initiated in July 2015, the Imaging Charity Referral Program received nearly 300 patient referrals in the first three (3) months. - In FY2016, Northside's Imaging Charity Referral Program received over 800 referrals from its safety net clinic and federal qualified health center referral partners. - Below is a testimonial from one of Northside's Imaging Charity Referral Program partners, demonstrating the effectiveness of this valuable outreach program. "Good Samaritan Health Center (Atlanta) is a non-profit medical clinic serving uninsured and underserved families throughout the Atlanta metro region. Without Northside's program, our patients would not have access to ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs. The team at Northside demonstrates compassion and caring for our patients. They process referrals in a timely manner. They contact every patient, often multiple times. The team also contacts our providers with updates and insures all reports are delivered immediately. We had an uninsured 32 year-old mother present. She was concerned about pelvic pain. Her provider scheduled a pelvic ultrasound which was scheduled within two weeks. The radiology report was promptly sent to us and the radiologist reported a possible mass on her ovary and recommended a follow up CT scan. Northside's team scheduled the CT scan immediately. The results indicated a highly suspicious ovarian mass. We then reached out to one of Northside's patient navigators who scheduled her with gynecology oncology. The patient has since underwent surgery which revealed ovarian cancer. Fortunately, her tumor has now been removed and the cancer was detected before metastasizing. She went from presenting as a new patient to having life-saving surgery within two months due entirely to Northside's exceptional program." [Medical Services Director - Good Samaritan Health Center] Surgical Services - In FY2016, total surgeries increased 8.4% across the Northside system, surpassing 53,000. - Northside hosted the Southeastern Society for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons' Annual Breast Symposium. The symposium attracted over 400 attendees with international participation from over 20 countries. - In June 2016, Northside Atlanta implemented a colorectal surgical site infection bundle. The bundle is a series of strategies/interventions aimed at decreasing surgical site infections in colorectal surgery patients. The effort included surgeon, anesthesia and nurse-led initiatives that are aimed at infection prevention. In June 2016, Northside Atlanta, Forsyth and Cherokee had zero colon surgical site infections. - In addition to the financial assistance services provided to patients who qualify for such services under Northside's Financial Assistance Program, in furtherance of its charitable mission and in response to an identified community need, Northside created the Financial Access Surgery Program ("FASP"). The FASP was established and designed to provide medically-necessary, non-emergent surgical services and all related ancillary services at no cost, to uninsured/underinsured patients. Northside entered into formal referral agreements with several community organizations including Federally Qualified Health Centers and safety net clinics located across Georgia. Demand for the program was so great that Northside subsequently created the FASP Overflow Program and expanded the number of locations to four (4). In FY2016, the FASP received over 700 referrals from its community partners. - Below is a testimonial from one of Northside's FASP referral partners, demonstrating the effectiveness of this valuable outreach program. "We are the busiest safety-net clinic in Gwinnett County; we provided more than 17,000 patient encounters during 2015. We have been a FASP partner since Spring 2012. FASP has been the most important hospital-based charitable program we work with. When we see patients back in our office after a FASP referral, they are always highly complementary of the excellent care they received. Many patients have had years of medical uncertainty and discomfort before FASP and are so relieved and grateful after FASP they are reduced to tears when thanking us for the services they received. |
| Too often we find that low cost diagnostic and surgical services are in | limited supply and available only at limited times. Too often we find that, even after discounting, many organizations and providers' fees remain unaffordable for our patients. In contrast, FASP accepts our referrals year round and is always striving to help us be responsive to patients' various medical needs. If not for FASP, we could not have been as impactful in the lives of so many patients in recent years." [Executive Director - Good Samaritan Health Center - Lawrenceville] Women's Services - In FY2016, delivery volume remains strong across the Northside system with deliveries surpassing 20,000. - Northside Hospital Atlanta ("NHA") is consistently ranked as the nation's leader in maternity services, delivering more babies than any other hospital. In CY2015, the most recent data available, Northside Hospital-Atlanta again was the national leader in maternity services with just over 16,100 births while the next closest provider had just over 14,800 births. - In Georgia, NHA is the leader in maternity services including high-risk perinatal services. In 2015, the most recent data available, NHA cared for nearly 780 high-risk perinatal patients with the next closest provider caring for approximately 530 patients. - NHA's expertise in caring for the most fragile neonates also is unsurpassed. In 2015, the most recent data available, NHA cared for more than 5,100 neonates (excluding normal newborns) with the next closest provider caring for more than 2,000 neonates (excluding normal newborns). - Georgia ranks "at or near the bottom" in maternal deaths in the US, which is a serious public health concern within the state. Currently, the number of deaths and causes of maternal deaths are not properly documented. As such, the Centers for Disease Control determined that a review committee should be convened to investigate maternal mortality in the state. The Georgia Maternal Mortality Review Committee aims to develop prevention recommendations for maternal death and disseminate their findings throughout Georgia to policy makers, healthcare providers, healthcare facilities, and the general public. In furtherance of its charitable mission and to enhance public health, Northside's Clinical Outcomes Manager joined this committee and actively participates in the committee's activities with the full monetary support of Northside. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 6 | Northside Health Services, the parent entity, elects all the members of the governing body for Northside Hospital, Inc. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 7a | Northside Health Services, the parent entity, elects all the members of the governing body for Northside Hospital, Inc. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 7b | Northside Health Services, the parent entity, must approve bylaw revisions and revisions of the Articles of Incorporation for Northside Hospital, Inc. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11 | The Form 990 was prepared by an unrelated and independent accountant using detailed financial statements supported by a consolidated audit (also prepared by outside, independent auditors). Northside financial leadership, including the System Controller and CFO, perform a detailed review of the 990 and sign-off on the returns before they are filed. additionally, Outside Counsel reviews several sections of the form at Northside's request. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c | Officers, directors and key employees are required to complete and sign a disclosure questionnaire annually, in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy. Northside's Legal Services department reviews contracts with other care providers, educational institutions, manufacturers and payors to determine whether conflicts of interest exist and whether they are in compliance with specific laws and regulations. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 | To establish the compensation of the organization's CEO and key employees, a compensation study, including peer organizations, is completed by an independent compensation consultant. This information is shared with the Compensation Committee. Independent members of the Compensation Committee deliberate and determine the compensation of the CEO and approve the compensation of other officers and key employees. Records are retained of these decisions. The CEO's final written employment contract must be approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 | The Corporate governance documents (specifically all Articles of Incorporation documents) are made available on the Georgia Secretary of State website. Our Conflict of Interest Policy is made available on our Intranet to Northside employees; however, neither our audited financial statements nor our Conflict of Interest Policy are made available to the public. When and if appropriate requests are made by the public, we evaluate disclosure on a case by case basis. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 16B | In lieu of adopting a written policy concerning joint venture arrangements, the organization requires and undertakes a rigorous case-by-case evaluation of its participation in any proposed joint venture arrangement under applicable tax and other laws and regulations. Each proposed joint venture with a taxable entity is reviewed under applicable tax laws, regulations, and guidelines by outside legal counsel and organization personnel to confirm that the joint venture would be formed, operated and managed in a manner that furthers the community benefit and charitable purposes of the organization. Joint ventures with taxable entities are required to be structured, including through financial and governance provisions and reserved powers, in a manner to safeguard the organization's exempt status and ensure that the organization controls all aspects of the joint venture related to its exempt purpose. |
| Form 990, Part VII, Section B: | To serve the patients within Northside's geographic region, Northside entered into a professional services agreement ("PSA") based upon personally performed and modifier adjusted productivity with Georgia Cancer Specialists I, P.C. ("GCS") to ensure oncology and hematology services are provided to all patients within the community regardless of the patients' ability to pay. Northside has provided a broad range of cancer care services through its cancer care program at The Northside Hospital Cancer Institute ("NHCI"). The NHCI, which is recognized nationally as a leader in oncology diagnosis, treatment and research, offers clinical excellence on par with academic-based programs along with the personalized and attentive care typically associated with a community hospital. Northside has committed to becoming a regional and national leader that redefines cancer care, which in part requires the expansion of its geographic footprint through development of an affiliation with additional locations, as well as having an integrated cancer care program that facilitates collaboration between Northside and clinicians specializing in oncology services. GCS has a large complement of clinicians to assist Northside in developing an outpatient oncology services program, specializing in medical oncology and hematology and the provision of infusion therapy services and medical and clinical research services. In accordance with the PSA, GCS remains a privately-held organization without ownership or management by Northside. GCS maintains responsibility for providing all administrative operations of the practice (e.g., staff benefits, malpractice insurance, etc.). Northside makes payments to GCS at fair market value rates for 1) personally performed and modifier adjusted professional services 2) management oversight responsibilities and 3) billing arrangements. GCS employs approximately 87 clinicians and 105 staff to maintain oncology, hematology, management and billing services at Northside's facilities and throughout the communities served by Northside. To serve the patients within Northside's geographic region, Northside entered into a professional services agreement ("PSA") based upon personally performed and modifier adjusted productivity with AGA, LLC to ensure gastroenterology ("GI") services are provided to all patients within the community, regardless of the patients' ability to pay. As such, this arrangement allows Northside to establish Centers of Excellence in GI services, especially related to endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cloangiopancreatography. GI services also have a significant tie-in to oncology services for which Northside is a leader in the Atlanta service area in terms of diagnosis and treatment. AGA, LLC has a large complement of clinicians that provide GI services including GI oncology. In accordance with the PSA, AGA, LLC remains a privately-held organization without ownership or management by Northside. AGA, LLC maintains responsibility for all expenses typically found in a GI clinicians practice (e.g., staff, billing, medical supplies, medical records, occupancy, malpractice insurance, etc.). Under the PSA, Northside pays AGA a fair market value rate based on personally performed and modifier adjusted wRVUs. AGA, LLC provides approximately 125 clinicians to ensure GI services at Northside's facilities and throughout the communities served by Northside. The compensation reflected on Form 990, Part VII, Section B, Column (c), represents professional services under the PSA to include related compensation and benefits. To serve the patients within Northside's geographic region, Northside entered into a professional services agreement ("PSA") based upon personally performed and modifier adjusted productivity with Atlanta Cancer Care ("ACC") to ensure oncology and hematology services are provided to all patients within the community regardless of the patients' ability to pay. Northside has provided a broad range of cancer care services through its cancer care program at The Northside Hospital Cancer Institute ("NHCI"). The NHCI, which is recognized nationally as a leader in oncology diagnosis, treatment and research, offers clinical excellence on par with academic-based programs along with the personalized and attentive care typically associated with a community hospital. Northside has committed to becoming a regional and national leader that redefines cancer care, which in part requires the expansion of its geographic footprint through development of an affiliation with additional locations, as well as having an integrated cancer care program that facilitates collaboration between Northside and clinicians specializing in oncology services. ACC has a large complement of clinicians to assist Northside in developing an outpatient oncology services program, specializing in medical oncology and hematology and the provision of infusion therapy services and medical and clinical research services. In accordance with the PSA, ACC remains a privately-held organization without ownership by Northside. ACC maintains responsibility for providing all administrative operations of the practice (e.g., staff benefits, malpractice insurance, etc.). Northside makes payments to ACC at fair market value rates for 1) personally performed and modifier adjusted professional services 2) management oversight responsibilities and 3) billing arrangements. ACC employs approximately 28 clinicians and 64 staff to maintain oncology, hematology, management and billing services at northside's facilities and throughout the communities served by Northside. |
| Form 990, Part IX, line 11g | other fees: Program service expenses 281,488,278. Management and general expenses 131,046,062. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 412,534,340. |
| Form 990, Part XI, line 9: | change in pension: -122,987,267. equity transfer: -792,389. income from joint venture: -3,150,590. Other Changes in Net Assets: -714,558. |
| Community Benefits Report - Fiscal Year 2016 | Northside Hospital is committed to the health and wellness of our community. As such, we dedicate ourselves to being a center of excellence in providing health care of the highest quality. We pledge compassionate support, personal guidance and uncompromising standards to our patients in their individual journeys toward health of body and mind. To ensure innovative and unsurpassed care for our patients, we are dedicated to maintaining our position as a regional leader in select medical specialties. And, to enhance the wellness of our community, we commit ourselves to providing a diverse array of educational and outreach programs. Our Community Benefit Philosophy In addition to providing high quality hospital-based medical services, Northside Hospital provides a number of community-based services, designed to improve the health of individuals who live, work and play in the areas we serve. Working with various organizations, hospital employees and medical staff, Northside participates in health education and screenings and provides support activities for individuals in the community, including vulnerable populations. Because Northside Hospital Inc. is not-for-profit and is not required to return profits to shareholders like taxable organizations, we reinvest our revenues, in excess of expenses, in order to enhance our capacity to deliver high-quality health care to the communities we serve. These resources provide for a long-term focus on the recruitment and retention of outstanding medical professionals, enhanced research and technologies, and new facilities and services. In addition, such resources enable us to provide numerous programs and activities that provide treatment or promote health and healing as a response to identified community needs. "Community Benefit" Defined Community Benefit applies to activities or programs that respond to identified community health needs and that seek to achieve one or more of the following objectives: - improving access to health services - enhancing public health - advancing increased general knowledge - relieving or reducing government's burden to improve health The information presented in this report demonstrates the level of community service and benefits that we have provided to the community during fiscal year 2016 - October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE / CHARITY CARE Northside Hospital treats all patients, regardless of age, sex, creed, race, national origin or source of payment. All patients are treated equally in respect to charges, bed assignments and medical care, regardless of ability to pay. We provide care without charge, or at discounted rates, to patients who meet certain criteria. Such cases are not reported as revenue or listed as accounts receivable. We maintain records to identify and monitor the indigent and charity care we provide. These records include the amount of charges forgone for services and supplies provided under the charity care policy. In FY2016, Northside Hospital provided $390,784,537 in indigent and charity care. Uncompensated care including indigent and charity care and uncollected accounts represented $501,088,105. COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT SERVICES Corporate & Community Health Education In response to requests from the community, Northside Hospital physicians and employees regularly provide free lectures through the hospital's Speakers Bureau. Health-related topics include exercise, nutrition & weight control, women & heart disease, breast health, sleep disorders, and more. In FY2016, 807 people were served at 16 events, involving 64 staff hours. Northside's Smoking Cessation Program offers participants tips on how to quit, manage stress, avoid weight gain, cope with withdrawal symptoms and much more. The seven-week sessions use a combination of group discussion and interaction, with nicotine replacement therapy, to provide the support needed to quit smoking. All classes are facilitated by trained Northside Hospital staff. Additional resources including online support services and referrals to telephone counseling also are available. In FY2016, the program enrolled 36 participants. The Northside Hospital Cancer Institute's community outreach staff provide community education and outreach programs throughout the year about breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, cancer prevention, the importance of screening and other cancer-related topics. In FY2016, 2,241 Northside staff hours served 32,466 people. Approximately 79,000 people attended events where Northside was present. Check It Out! is a collaborative effort between Northside and the Greater Atlanta Hadassah, which provides breast health education to high school junior and senior girls, teaching them proper breast self-exam technique and the importance of early detection and understanding risk factors. Schools in Cobb, Fulton and DeKalb counties have accepted the program as part of their health curriculum. In FY2016, the program was presented to 12 high schools, reaching 1,266 girls. Northside Hospital Website / Online Education Northside Hospital's official website, northside.com, features a health encyclopedia and video library of general health content about surgeries and procedures including dedicated online educational centers for cancer, weight loss surgery and pregnancy. More than 735,515 people visited this content in FY2016, including: - 11,455 unique page views of weight loss surgery content - 11,475 page views of online cancer center - 35,464 page views of maternity and women's center content Northside's Lifetime of Care Magazine, available online and in print, is a free health magazine geared toward women ages 30-65. The magazine is published three times a year and mailed to 490,000 individuals. The editorial staff dedicates approximately 220 hours of work per year. Maternal and Infant Health Education The Northside Hospital MothersFirst Program is a valuable resource to women who are already pregnant or considering becoming pregnant. MothersFirst offers pertinent education, classes, support groups, hospital tours and other services for women throughout the many stages of their childbearing years, from early pregnancy through the early childhood of their baby. MothersFirst offers four classes that qualify as community benefit - Labor & Birth, CPR, Baby Essentials and Breastfeeding. In FY2016, 7,164 people attended these classes (657 class sessions). At Northside Hospital, we want to support the decision to breastfeed. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for baby's first six months of life. Northside's "Warm Line" lactation telephone hotline is available to anyone in the community and offers breastfeeding advice from certified lactation consultants. The Warm Line is available 7 days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and served 15,312 people (with 3,186 staff hours) in FY2016. Northside also offers a free Breastfeeding eLearning Program on northside.com, which allows 24/7 access to information, videos, PDFs and animations about breastfeeding. Approximately 809 people accessed the eLearning Program in FY2016. |
| Support Groups | Support Groups offer patients and the community a way to cope with the issues they face with the comfort of knowing that others are willing to help. Northside offers various support groups, conducted at the hospitals and led by Northside staff who organize, lecture and facilitate. These support groups are open to the community, regardless of where medical care was received. - Mom-Me Connection offers breastfeeding support for new moms. Three groups meet each week in Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Cumming, and Canton. Each group is facilitated by a certified lactation consultant. Approximately 2,038 people attended in FY2016. - Two monthly Bariatric Support Groups are held (in Atlanta and Cumming) for any bariatric patient, pre or post-surgery. A third group is held in Atlanta for patients who are more than one year past surgery. Approximately 518 people attend the support groups in FY2016. - Two Stroke Support Groups for stroke survivors and their families meet monthly at Northside's Atlanta and Alpharetta campuses. The groups host speakers and provide networking and social support for stroke survivors and their families. Approximately 15-20 people attended the groups each month in FY2016. - Northside's Outpatient Behavioral Health Department offers a Women's Empowerment Therapeutic Group for women, age 40+, who are undergoing cancer treatment or are in remission from cancer. Two licensed social workers lead and moderate the group. Topics include: self-case/health and wellness, intimacy/sexuality, grief and loss, relationships, and new factors in your life since diagnosis. In FY2016, 15-20 people attended this group. - Caring and Coping is a support group for parents and grandparents who have lost a baby due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or newborn death. Meetings are held once a month and are facilitated by two staff members. Approximately 20 people attended each meeting in FY2016, with approximately 25% of attendees coming from other hospitals. - Rainbow PALS (Pregnancy after Loss Support) is a social support group for parents considering or experiencing a subsequent pregnancy following the loss of a baby. Meetings are usually once a month and are facilitated by a staff member of Northside's H.E.A.R.T.strings Perinatal Bereavement & Palliative Care Office, with a memorial event being held in October. Approximately 14 people attended each meeting in FY2016, with approximately 4 attendees coming from other hospitals. - ANEW is a social support group for parents, who are raising surviving multiple(s) following the loss of one or more multiple(s). The group meets twice a month and is facilitated by a H.E.A.R.T.strings staff member. A memorial event is held once per year. Approximately 10 people attended each meeting in FY2016, with approximately 2-4 of attendees coming from other hospitals. Partnering with Schools Northside Hospital's Partners In Education program sponsors 111 schools in seven north metro Atlanta counties: Cherokee, Cobb, Dawson, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton and Gwinnett. Through these partnerships, Northside provides clinic supplies; participates in fundraisers; supports Career Days and invests in other student programs that promote health and wellness, science, safety and anti-bullying; sponsors teacher appreciation/recognition events; and much more. In FY2016, 320 staff hours were spent serving approximately 150,000 people. Through Northside Hospital-Cherokee's Junior Health Advocates, medical professionals speak to an array of healthy living topics, tailored to children grades PK-8. Topics include Nutrition Nation, Buddy Not Bully, Happy Hands, House Rules, Drug Free Me, Fitness Fun, Squeaky Clean Hygiene, Tooth Truth, Summer Safety, and Net Safe Navigator. Each class offers a 45-minute interactive presentation. Students receive an activity book and gift to reinforce each subject. In FY2016, the program arranged 622 classes (624 classroom hours), reaching 18,040 students. Northside also partners with the Learning for Life Healthcare Exploring Program, which offers local high school students (grades 9-12) who are considering a career in health care a unique, insider's view of the hospital and its many careers. Throughout the seven-month program, which is affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, the students visit many areas of the hospital, performing exercises and participating during lectures by healthcare professionals. Each class focuses on a different area of health care - cardiology, robotic surgery, radiology, oncology, pharmacy, women's services and other specialties. During the 2015-16 session, 18 students participated in the program, facilitated by 120 staff hours. For outstanding high school students interested in pursuing a career in health care, Northside Hospital-Cherokee participates in the Cherokee County Schools' Work Based Learning Program - Youth Apprenticeship. The unpaid internship offers an observation-only experience for students, who rotate through eleven different departments of the hospital including surgery, radiology and the emergency department for an hour each weekday during the school year. Students also receive American Heart Association HeartSaver/AED training. In FY2016, 35 students participated in the program at the hospital. Two employees managed the program, spending approximately 20 hours. The Northside Hospital-Forsyth Laboratory participates in Lambert High School's Health Sciences Program to help prepare students for advanced health care education and industry placement. The high school provides the content, skills and safety procedures as it relates to clinical laboratory and healthcare diagnostics. Students job shadow at Northside for a total of 30 weeks, rotating through six departments within the Laboratory including Chemistry, Hematology, Blood and Tissue Bank, Phlebotomy, Microbiology and Histology/Pathology. Students get hands-on experience, reviewing and analyzing data and working with real equipment. Diagnostic Phlebotomy and Internship Students were able to interact first hand with patients, nurses and physicians in a clinical setting. In FY2016, 109 students participated for a total of 1,200 hours. More than ten Northside staff members spent 400 hours organizing and supervising the program. The Northside Hospital-Atlanta Auxiliary's Puppet Program travels to schools in DeKalb, Cobb and North Fulton counties, educating children in grades PK-4 about medical check-ups, peer pressure, and drug and alcohol abuse. In FY2016, the program conducted 25 puppet shows, reaching 2,746 students. Volunteers provided more than 100 hours and drove more than 780 miles. Northside's call center handles the scheduling of the puppet shows. In FY2016, the department spent approximately 8 -16 hours fielding calls from schools and scheduling. SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICES Corporate & Community Health Fairs Northside provides free on-site health screenings at corporate and community locations throughout the year to raise health care awareness and to promote prevention and early detection of diseases. Health screenings include cholesterol/glucose testing, blood pressure screening, body composition analysis, osteoporosis screening, pulmonary function testing, sleep quality screening, cancer risk assessment, diabetes assessment, coronary risk profile and audiology screening. In FY2016, Northside offered health screenings at 27 community and 16 corporate events, reaching 3,759 people. More than 3,025 staff hours were spent on the planning and implementation of the events. |
| Community Screenings | Throughout the year, Northside also offers disease-specific health screenings at the hospital's campuses in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cherokee and Forsyth. Screenings are offered at low cost or completely free to those who qualify. - Four Prostate Cancer Screenings took place, reaching 349 men. - Five free Skin Cancer Screenings were held, with 521 participants; 117 people were recommended for follow-up treatment because of abnormal findings. - 2 free Stroke Screenings were held, with 130 participants - 15 people were recommended for follow-up treatment because of abnormal findings. - In recognition of Better Hearing and Speech Month in May, the Audiology Department offered free Hearing Screenings to 64 individuals, and 23 were referred for further evaluation. The Audiology Department also provided free Hearing Screenings through the Cherokee County School District's "Give a Kid a Chance" Program. Screenings were provided to 123 school children. 6 children were referred for further testing. Northside's Financial Access Surgery Program (FASP) is designed to eliminate financial obstacles faced by the uninsured or underinsured in obtaining non-emergent, yet medically-necessary, outpatient surgical and endoscopy services including Screening and Diagnostic Colonoscopies. The services are provided at no cost to qualified participants. This program serves 12 counties - Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Dawson, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Gilmer, Gwinnett, Hall, Lumpkin, and Pickens Counties. In FY2016, 50 screening colonoscopies were performed as well as 270 colonoscopies for diagnostic workups. RESEARCH The Northside Hospital Research Program works to provide patients with the latest treatments and prevention methods being tested through clinical trials. Staff organize and manage all aspects of the clinical trials offered, with the goal of providing access to cutting-edge clinical trials in a community setting and ensuring that the safety of trial participants is the top priority. In FY2016, 34,057 staff hours were spent on research, 487 people were served, and 274 research projects were performed. Specialties include blood and marrow transplant, cardiology, critical care, endocrinology, oncology, orthopedics, pulmonology, rheumatology, and vascular surgery. HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION The FY2016 Atlanta Cancer Symposium: Engaging the Experts focused on malignant hematology, breast cancer, and gynecologic cancer. Approximately 50 staff hours (4 people) coordinated the event; 186 attended. In May 2016, the hospital hosted the 4th Annual Women and Stroke Symposium. This activity is designed to provide educational content for neurologists and physicians in related fields regarding the unique challenges for women and stroke risk. Risks include hormone treatment, pregnancy, and cardiovascular health. Information about the advances in practice, treatment, prevention, and care of the stroke patient, including women experiencing stroke, will be presented. This education for the stroke professional is a vital component to providing quality patient care and achieving excellent patient outcomes long-term. Approximately 25 staff hours coordinated the event; 100 attended. CASH AND IN-KIND DONATIONS Cancer Institute Through the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, approximately 500 hours were allocated to community benefit planning, operational support and fundraising. Another 225 staff hours were spent preparing and writing grants to allow Northside to increase access to cancer care. Northside was awarded four grants related to breast cancer in FY2016, totaling $239,641. Approximately 200 staff hours were spent preparing and writing these grants to provide the following services free of charge to vulnerable populations through the hospital's Breast Care Program Fund: - 602 screening mammograms - 296 diagnostic mammograms - 214 ultrasounds - 70 breast biopsies - 34 cyst aspirations - Genetic counseling and testing for uninsured/underserved women: 710 women screened using B-RST tool, of which 120 had a moderate or positive screen result; 12 patients counseled; eight women tested; one woman tested positive for the BRCA2 genetic mutation. Two colon cancer grants were received ($30,045), one from Colon Cancer Alliance that provided $25 gasoline cards or taxi vouchers to patients unable to drive to screening or cancer treatment appointments, and the other from the Colon Cancer Coalition that provided colon prep kits for patients preparing for a colonoscopy. Sponsorships In addition to the excellent medical care and educational programs, Northside provides financial assistance to more than 241 charitable organizations each year. The hospital's four-member Sponsorship Committee reviews all requests received and determines whether or not each organization complements the hospital's Mission and Values and meets geographic and demographic parameters that the hospital has established throughout its primary and secondary service areas. More than 1,000 hours were spent compiling, reviewing and approving sponsorship requests in FY2016. Picture and A Promise Northside collaborates with the American Heart Association to provide awareness and education of cardiovascular disease. The Picture and A Promise Booth is offered at the hospital's community screenings and other community events. It allows participants the opportunity to make a "promise" to their hearts to make lifestyle changes to be more heart healthy. In FY2016, Northside contributed $30,000 for the sponsorship of this program. Tennis Against Breast Cancer In October 2015, Northside Hospital organized the 12th annual "Tennis Against Breast Cancer" event, luncheon and fashion show at multiple locations in North Fulton and Forsyth counties to raise community awareness of breast cancer prevention and education, and 1,118 women participated in the event, which raised $201,700 for the hospital's Breast Care Program Fund. Approximately 320 hours were spent coordinating the event. Miracle Babies In November 2015, Northside hosted the third annual Miracle Babies, a Northside Hospital fundraising event to raise financial assistance and support for families facing a financial hardship due to having a newborn in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). More than $101,140 was raised for the Miracle Babies fund, and 145 people attended the event. Charity Golf Classic The Northside Hospital Charity Golf Classic is a corporate fundraiser for the Northside Hospital Blood & Marrow Transplant Program (BMT) and General Research Program. The FY2016 event raised $499,575 - 50 percent for the BMT Program and 50 percent for the Cancer Research Fund. The event was attended by 272 people and coordinated by 110 staff hours. Wine, Women and Shoes Approximately 415 people attended Northside's Wine, Women and Shoes event, benefitting the Ovarian and Gynecology Cancer Research Fund. More than $231,580 was raised. Approximately 120 staff hours were spent coordinating the event. Blood Drives Northside Hospital is a partner with the Metro Atlanta Red Cross and hosts blood drives for hospital staff and the community. In FY2016, 90.5 staff hours were spent coordinating 25 blood drives, at which 1,258 pints of blood were donated. Baby Alumni Birthday Party The 2016 Northside Hospital Baby Alumni Birthday Party at Zoo Atlanta was Atlanta's largest birthday party. More than 6,000 children and their families celebrated and enjoyed face painters, crafts, birthday cookies as well as an evening visit of the animal exhibits. Approximately 3,600 pounds of non-perishable foods, diapers and baby wipes were brought by guests and donated to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. |
| COMMUNITY BENEFIT OPERATIONS | Northside Hospital's Planning Department performs the health system's Community Health Needs Assessment once every three years. Approximately 77 staff hours were spent on this activity in FY2016. Northside's Community Connection Employee Volunteer Program is coordinated by one staff member, who spent 2,080 staff hours coordinating volunteers participating in community benefit activities / programs throughout the community in FY2016. The hospital's sponsorship activities are coordinated by a Community Development Specialist in the Marketing Department, who worked more than 1,000 hours in FY2016 assessing and coordinating sponsorships that meet community benefit guidelines. COMMUNITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES The Georgia Maternal Mortality Review Committee aims to identify pregnancy-associated deaths and their causes and review contributing factors and interventions that may reduce these deaths. Northside's Clinical Outcomes Manager joined the committee. The hospital offers full monetary support of her time/costs associated with going to the committee's meetings - three meetings, 32 hours in FY2016. BROAD-BASED COMMUNITY OUTREACH (Non Community Benefit) Employee Volunteerism (The Community Connection) Northside Hospital promotes and encourages community volunteerism among its physicians, employees, Auxilians and their families and friends. Each year, staff and physicians volunteer their time, talents and resources to make a positive impact and build strong and healthy communities. In FY2016, more than 4,250 Community Connection volunteers donated more than 29,660 hours of their time to more than 100 community service projects in the hospital's service areas. Employees help strengthen their communities by supporting the following Atlanta Region community organizations and charities and many more in the community. - A Touch of Warmth - American Cancer Society - American Diabetes Association - American Red Cross - Atlanta Community Food Bank - Atlanta Day Shelter for Women - American Heart Association - Atlanta Mission - Back on My Feet - Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta - Brookhaven Acute Nursing Home - Children's Restoration Network - City of Alpharetta - Colon Cancer Alliance - Drake House - Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance - Gwinnett Children's Shelter - Jesse's House - MedShare International - MUST Ministries - No One Alone Shelter - OneSight - Open Hand - Partnership Against Domestic Violence - Project Turn Around - Second Wind Dreams - The Place of Forsyth County - Toys for Tots - TurnAround Ministries - United Way of Forsyth County - United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta Program Highlights: - Cell phones are collected throughout the year for the Partnership Against Domestic Violence to support women and their children in their effort to live violence free. - In celebration of the 14th Annual Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, Northside employees wrote hand-written letters of encouragement to every student at High Point Elementary, a Title I school. These letters showed support of the student's dreams and goals for success. - Employees provided healthy snacks for children at No One Alone Shelter who have been affected by domestic violence. These snacks are essential to the children's weekly support group, where through snacks and activities children increase their self-esteem, learn safety skills and improve their behavior. - Northside's annual "Operation Book Bag," a book bag and school supply drive benefiting Children's Restoration Network, was by far Northside's biggest year ever. More than 1,000 new book bags filled with school supplies were collected and distributed to homeless children in the metro Atlanta area. - Every month, more than fifteen employees from Northside's Business Office visit amazing seniors at a local retirement center. During these visits, seniors and employees play BINGO, celebrate birthdays and spend quality time together. The seniors love children, so several employees bring their children and families with them to visit. The bonds between volunteers and the seniors has steadily grown. Employees also adopt the more than 150 residents to provide them with a personal care package during the holiday season. - Northside's March of Dimes - March for Babies campaign was a big success. Northside and its family partners were the No. 1 health care fundraising team and the No. 2 team overall in the state of Georgia for 2016. - Northside employees, families, and friends filled the wish lists of homeless children in the Metro Atlanta Area. Northside partnered with Children's Restoration Network to ensure that more than 4,000 homeless children in Metro Atlanta had a memorable and meaningful Christmas. - Departments, individuals and their families helped employees who have received assistance from the Northside Shares Help Fund create memorable holidays for their children. The Northside Hospital Shares Help fund provides aid to employees in dire financial need resulting from an emergency. - Northside Hospital-Cherokee's Holiday Toy Drive provided toys to the Boys & Girls Club of Cherokee County. - Northside participated in the Second Wind Dreams project to provide gifts for seniors at nursing homes, and staff members had the opportunity to shop for the seniors, and some invited family and friends to deliver gifts to seniors on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. - Throughout the year, employees donated basic needs items from a wish list to the Partnership Against Domestic Violence. The items benefit victims of domestic violence who reside in safe houses and their Supportive Housing Programs. - Through Open Hand, staff members pack meals for delivery to persons with HIV/AIDS, the sick and shut-ins and the elderly. Open Hand prepares and delivers two freshly cooked meals, every day, seven days a week, to people with AIDS or HIV-related illnesses who need them. This project depends on the participation of more than 100 volunteers each day to cook, pack and deliver the meals. - Employees at the Northside Hospital-Forsyth campus volunteer annually at Hands on Forsyth, Taste of Forsyth, the Cumming Country Fair and Festival, United Way of Forsyth, The Place, and the Drake House. - Employees at Northside Hospital-Cherokee participated in various community projects including the Taste of Canton, Cherokee Family Violence Center and MUST Ministries. Northside Hospital's Health Resource Center/medical library is open to the community and is home to a vast collection of medical information, including books, journals and online resources. The Library offers electronic access to more than 400 medical journals, as well as print subscriptions to more than 150 journals. Internet access to health information databases is also available. Staff is available to provide literature searches. We also provide proctoring services to distance learners. The Health Resource Center's highly trained staff is available to assist patrons with finding what they want and/or need. OUR COMMITMENT We measure the success of our efforts by the number of residents we reach with our messages related to health and wellness. Our mission is to work to positively impact the overall health of the communities we serve. Clearly, education, outreach and community service allow us to broaden our impact beyond the walls of our facilities. |
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