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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 4 COMMUNITY INFORMATION - PART I
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THE PRIMARY SERVICE AREA (PSA) OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER CONSISTS OF THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT AND THE SURROUNDING TOWNS OF FAIRFIELD, EASTON, MONROE, TRUMBULL, STRATFORD, AND SHELTON. ACCORDING TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT, (FOUND ON ST. VINCENT'S WEBSITE), THE TOTAL ESTIMATED POPULATION OF THE PSA AS OF 2016 IS 323,231. BRIDGEPORT COMPRISES 45% OF THE REGION'S POPULATION. (2016 CHNA) BRIDGEPORT IS LOCATED IN NORTHEAST FAIRFIELD COUNTY ALONG LONG ISLAND SOUND, PARTWAY BETWEEN NEW YORK CITY AND BOSTON. COMPOSED OF 16 SQUARE MILES OF LAND MASS, BRIDGEPORT IS THE LARGEST AND MOST DENSELY POPULATED CITY IN CONNECTICUT AND THE FOURTH LARGEST CITY IN NEW ENGLAND. ITS POPULATION IS APPROXIMATELY 146,600. BRIDGEPORT'S POPULATION IS 21% WHITE, 34.0% BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN, 39% HISPANIC, AND 6% NON-HISPANIC. BRIDGEPORT IS A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY, WITH THE MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS BEING BLACK OR HISPANIC, WHILE THE SUBURBS ARE MOSTLY WHITE NON-HISPANIC. THE POPULATION OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY IS AGING, AND IS PROJECTED TO AGE RAPIDLY OVER THE COMING DECADES. THERE ARE WIDE GAPS IN MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME RATES WITHIN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT REGION. THE TOWNS OF EASTON, FAIRFIELD, MONROE AND TRUMBULL ARE AFFLUENT WITH MEDIAN INCOMES SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN NATIONAL AND STATE AVERAGES. STRATFORD, WHICH HAS A LONG HISTORY AS AN INDUSTRIAL TOWN, WAS DESCRIBED BY RESIDENTS AS BLUE COLLAR AND MIDDLE CLASS. BRIDGEPORT HAS A HIGH POVERTY RATE AND A LOWER MEDIAN INCOME THAN BOTH STATE AND NATIONAL AVERAGES. IT IS AMONG THE POOREST CITIES IN THE COUNTRY. BRIDGEPORT IS AN AREA THAT IS SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED WITH MANY PATIENTS WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED, UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED AND WITHOUT RESOURCES. BRIDGEPORT IS ONE OF FOUR CITIES IN THE STATE THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCOMES BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL AND THE HIGHEST RATES OF CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING. IN PARTICULAR, THE CENTRAL AREA OF BRIDGEPORT HAS VERY LOW-INCOME LEVELS BY NATIONAL AND STATE STANDARDS (MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOMES OF LESS THAN $35,000 PER YEAR ARE WIDESPREAD). TWENTY FOUR PERCENT (24%) OF PEOPLE IN BRIDGEPORT (LOWER AVERAGE INCOMES) WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO LIVE LESS THAN A MONTH IF THEY LOST ALL THEIR CURRENT SOURCES OF INCOME VERSUS ONLY 7% OF PEOPLE IN THAT SITUATION IN FAIRFIELD. CLEARLY, THIS INDICATES PEOPLE IN BRIDGEPORT ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. ALTHOUGH FAIRFIELD COUNTY HAS A REPUTATION FOR AFFLUENCE, IT IS CLEAR THAT MANY OF THE AREA'S RESIDENTS FALL WELL OUTSIDE THIS CATEGORY, AND LOOK TO ST. VINCENT'S AS A SAFETY NET. PERCEIVED QUALITY OF SOCIETY RELATES TO NEIGHBORHOOD TRUST, SAFETY, CHILD-FRIENDLINESS, PERCEPTIONS OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES, AND MANY OTHER FACTORS. RESPONSES FROM BRIDGEPORT RESIDENTS WERE MUCH LESS POSITIVE THAN THOSE FROM THE SURROUNDING TOWNS. RESPONSES ARE HIGHLY CORRELATED TO INCOME LEVELS WITH LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLD BEING LESS POSITIVE ABOUT QUALITY OF SOCIETY. BRIDGEPORT ALSO HAS A HIGH RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT, TIED FOR FOURTH WORST IN THE STATE AS OF DECEMBER 2018. THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REPORTED THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN BRIDGEPORT IS 4.5% COMPARED TO 3.2% STATEWIDE OR 2.8% IN FAIRFIELD, 2.9% IN TRUMBULL, AND 3.5% IN STRATFORD, BRIDGEPORT'S CLOSEST NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES (CONNECTICUT LABOR FORCE DATA BY PLACE OF RESIDENCE 2018). IN 2017, 49.2 % OF BRIDGEPORT CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 LIVED IN SINGLE-PARENT HOMES COMPARED TO 31.1% OF CHILDREN STATEWIDE. IN 2017, 31.9 % OF FAMILIES IN BRIDGEPORT HEADED BY SINGLE FEMALES WITH CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 LIVED IN POVERTY, DECLINING 22.7% SINCE 2016. BRIDGEPORT'S CHILD POVERTY RATE STILL SURPASSES THAT OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT AND THE UNITED STATES. (BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION, STATE OF THE CHILD REPORT, 2018). FAMILIES, AND PARTICULARLY CHILDREN, LIVING IN POVERTY ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM POOR HEALTH, DROP OUT OF SCHOOL, AND EXPERIENCE HUNGER, HOMELESSNESS, AND VIOLENCE. IN 2017, 28.3% OF BRIDGEPORT CHILDREN LIVED UNDER THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL (FPL). THIS PERCENTAGE IS MORE THAN DOUBLE CONNECTICUT'S OVERALL RATE OF 12.6% OF CHILDREN WHO LIVE UNDER THE FPL. ALMOST ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE CHILDREN IN BRIDGEPORT LIVES IN POVERTY. IN 2017, 1,817 BRIDGEPORT CHILDREN WERE CARED FOR BY A GRANDPARENT, AN 80% INCREASE FROM THE NUMBER RECORDED IN 2016. FORTY THREE PERCENT (43%) OF THE 358 CHILDREN WHO SPENT TIME IN A FAIRFIELD COUNTY HOMELESS SHELTER STAYED IN A BRIDGEPORT EMERGENCY SHELTER. (BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION, STATE OF THE CHILD REPORT, 2018). CHILD HUNGER AS OF NOVEMBER 2018, 13,088 BRIDGEPORT CHILDREN LIVED IN FAMILIES ENROLLED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR SNAP (FORMERLY KNOWN AS FOOD STAMPS). STATEWIDE, THERE WERE 134,374 CHILDREN ENROLLED IN SNAP. (BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION, STATE OF THE CHILD REPORT, 2018). AN ESTIMATED 13.2% (29,370) OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY CHILDREN SUFFERED FROM FOOD INSECURITY IN 2016 COMPARED TO 15.6% OF CHILDREN STATEWIDE. FOOD INSECURITY IS DEFINED AS THE INABILITY TO AFFORD OR ACCESS ENOUGH FOOD FOR AN ACTIVE, HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. 12.2% OF CONNECTICUT HOUSEHOLDS WERE FOOD INSECURE FROM 2015-17 WITH ANOTHER 4.7% REPORTING VERY LOW FOOD SECURITY. (BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION, STATE OF THE CHILD REPORT, 2018). BECAUSE THE NATIONAL ECONOMY HAS IMPROVED IN RECENT YEARS, A PROVISION WAS PUT INTO EFFECT IN APRIL 2016 DISQUALIFYING ABLE-BODIED CHILDLESS ADULTS FROM RECEIVING SNAP BENEFITS UNLESS THEY ARE WORKING OR ENROLLED IN A JOB TRAINING PROGRAM. AS A RESULT, AN ESTIMATED 3,305 CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS LOST SNAP BENEFITS, INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS IN BRIDGEPORT. IN 2015, THE INFANT MORTALITY RATE IN BRIDGEPORT WAS 10.7 DEATHS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE PER 1,000 LIVE BIRTHS, COMPARED TO 11.8 IN 2014, A DECREASE OF 9.3%. AS BRIDGEPORT CONTINUES TO RECORD HIGH RATES OF INFANT MORTALITY, STATEWIDE AND FAIRFIELD COUNTY RATES HAVE REMAINED STAGNANT, DESPITE EACH SEEING A SLIGHT RISE IN 2015. DISORDERS RELATING TO PARTICULAR CONDITIONS ORIGINATING IN THE PERINATAL PERIOD AND A COMBINATION OF SHORT GESTATION AND LOW BIRTHWEIGHT ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR INFANTS UNDER ONE YEAR OF AGE IN CONNECTICUT. (BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION, STATE OF THE CHILD REPORT, 2018). LESS THAN HALF OF BRIDGEPORT PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS MET THE HEALTH STANDARDS ON ALL FOUR STATE PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTS. IN 2015, 10.5% OR 294, 997 ADULTS IN CONNECTICUT SUFFERED FROM ASTHMA, A 14.7% INCREASE FROM 2014. CONNECTICUT IS RANKED 8TH IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE NUMBER OF ADULTS SUFFERING FROM ASTHMA. (BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION, STATE OF THE CHILD REPORT, 2018). MANY BRIDGEPORT RESIDENTS ALSO FACE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES AS 19.2% OF OCCUPIED HOUSEHOLDS DID NOT OWN A CAR COMPARED TO 7.7 % IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY AND 8.6% STATEWIDE. (BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION, STATE OF THE CHILD REPORT, 2018) BRIDGEPORT ADULTS LAG BEHIND ADULTS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY AND THE STATE IN EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT. FOR THE CLASS OF 2017 IN BRIDGEPORT, 76.4% OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GRADUATED IN FOUR YEARS, WHILE THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE IS 87.9%. ONLY 16.3% OF BRIDGEPORT ADULTS HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR HIGHER, LESS THAN HALF THE RATE FOR THE STATE AND A THIRD OF THE RATE FOR FAIRFIELD COUNTY. (BRIDGEPORT CHILD ADVOCACY COALITION, STATE OF THE CHILD REPORT, 2018). BRIDGEPORT IS SEEING THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF ECONOMICALLY-DISTRESSED NEIGHBORHOODS, LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, OLDER HOUSING, AND A YOUNGER POPULATION, WHICH RELATE TO GREATER NUMBERS OF ADVERSE BIRTH OUTCOMES, VIOLENCE, CHILDHOOD ASTHMA, LEAD POISONING, AND OTHER ISSUES. CHRONIC DISEASE, ESPECIALLY HEART DISEASE, IMPACTS POPULATIONS IN BRIDGEPORT'S DISTRESSED NEIGHBORHOODS AT A YOUNGER AGE. ADDITIONALLY, LOWER INCOME AREAS SEE PARTICULARLY GREATER IMPACTS FROM ILLNESSES SUCH AS DIABETES AND RENAL/KIDNEY DISEASE THAT ARE CONSIDERED TO BE MORE PREVENTABLE, ESPECIALLY AMONG SOME OF THE YOUNGER POPULATIONS THAT LIVE IN THESE AREAS. MENTAL HEALTH IS AN ONGOING CONCERN, AS IT OVERLAPS WITH MANY OF THE OTHER HEALTH ISSUES. AS MENTIONED ABOVE, DRUG USE AND OVERDOSE IS A LEADING CAUSE OF PREMATURE MORTALITY. BRIDGEPORT IN PARTICULAR HAS AN ELEVATED RATE OF ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY AND OF INFANT MORTALITY, BOTH MARKERS OF OVERALL POPULATION HEALTH.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 4 COMMUNITY INFORMATION - PART II
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BRIDGEPORT IS CROSSED BY INTERSTATE 95, A MAIN VEHICULAR CORRIDOR FROM NEW YORK TO BOSTON THAT IS CITED AS THE MAIN SOURCE OF AIR TOXINS AND GREENHOUSE GASES IN THE CITY. THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION OF THE 1930'S LEFT BRIDGEPORT WITH NUMEROUS BROWNFIELD SITES, WHICH ARE LINKED TO LEAD POISONING, AND MULTIPLE CANCERS. A JOHNS-HOPKINS STUDY OF BROWNFIELDS IN THE BALTIMORE, MD AREA, DEMONSTRATED A 20% INCREASE IN MORTALITY, 27% INCREASE IN CANCER MORTALITY, 33% INCREASE IN LUNG CANCER MORTALITY, AND 39% INCREASE IN RESPIRATORY MORTALITY AMONG RESIDENTS IN HIGHER BROWNFIELD HAZARD ZONES. THIS STRONGLY CORROBORATES THE THEORY THAT BROWNFIELDS ARE DETRIMENTAL TO HUMAN HEALTH. (LITT & TRAN 2002) THE POOR AIR QUALITY IN BRIDGEPORT MAY BE A MAJOR FACTOR IN THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF ASTHMA IN HOUSEHOLDS IN THE CITY. ST. VINCENT'S IS PARTICIPATING IN A CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION ASTHMA TASK FORCE TO HELP COMBAT THE PROBLEM. THE PCAG COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT HAS IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING AS THE TOP FOUR HEALTH PRIORITIES IN NEED OF ACTION AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL: CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES, HEALTHY LIFESTYLES TO COMBAT OBESITY, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND ACCESS TO CARE. THE POOR, HOMELESS, AND THOSE WITH LIMITED EDUCATION ARE OFTEN LESS LIKELY TO SEEK PREVENTATIVE CARE AND FILL PRESCRIPTIONS AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO DELAY TREATMENT IN AN EMERGENCY. THE UNINSURED ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM POOR HEALTH AND ARE UP TO THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE EARLY THAN THOSE WITH HEALTH INSURANCE. ALL THESE FACTORS PRESENT TREMENDOUS CHALLENGES TO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN THEIR EFFORTS TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY HEALTHY. ST. VINCENT'S HAS IMPLEMENTED STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND QUALITY OF CARE FOR AREA RESIDENTS. (FOR MORE ON ST. VINCENT'S STRATEGIES, SEE PART VI, LINE 5, PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH). ADDITIONALLY, THE COST OF LIVING AND REAL ESTATE MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES TO SETTLE IN THE AREA. AS A RESULT, SVMC'S WORKFORCE SHORTAGES OCCUR IN PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL POSITIONS. PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE IN OUR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SERVICE AREAS, WE CONTINUE TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS AND IN ACCESS POINTS FOR PATIENTS. THIS IS BASED ON MULTIPLE FACTORS INCLUDING THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN THE REGION, AN AGING POPULATION OF CURRENT PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS AND THE RETIREMENT OF OTHERS, AS WELL AS A SHIFT TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS THROUGH ACQUISITIONS OF PRACTICES. OF THE MEDICAL STAFF, A LARGE NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS ARE AGE 55 OR OVER. THIS SAID, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER AND ITS MULTISPECIALTY GROUP, CONTINUE THE MISSION AND VISION OF SERVICE TO THE POOR AND VULNERABLE, A LEGACY THAT WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY MORE THAN 115 YEARS AGO. FINANCIAL STRESS AND LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ALSO PLAY A ROLE IN CHALLENGES RELATED TO ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE. ACCORDING TO THE 2016 CHNA, APPROXIMATELY 21% OF CONNECTICUT RESPONDENTS INDICATED THAT THEY HAD POSTPONED OR DELAYED GETTING THE MEDICAL CARE THEY THOUGHT THEY NEEDED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS; RATES AMONG RESIDENTS IN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT REGION ARE THE SAME AS THE STATE AT 21% AND HIGHER AMONG BRIDGEPORT RESIDENTS AT 24%. ALTHOUGH THE MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS IN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT REGION HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE (93%), RATES ARE SLIGHTLY LOWER AMONG GROUPS WITH EITHER LESS EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT OR LOWER EARNINGS. IN FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TYPE OF INSURANCE A PERSON HAD WAS TIED TO ISSUES AROUND ACCESS TO CARE AND QUALITY OF CARE. SPECIFICALLY, THOSE WITH STATE INSURANCE HAVE LIMITED PROVIDERS, LONG WAIT TIMES, GEOGRAPHIC BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES WITH COVERAGE FOR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS, DENTAL CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. APPROXIMATELY HALF OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IN THE AREA ACCEPT NEW MEDICAID PATIENTS. IN A SURVEY OF PHYSICIAN SPECIALTY OFFICES, THE PHONE-VERIFIED WAIT TIME FOR A NEW APPOINTMENT RANGED FROM 12 TO 50 DAYS (MEDICAL STAFF DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2016). MORE THAN HALF OF THE PHYSICIAN RESPONDENTS IN THE SURVEY ANTICIPATED MAKING NO CHANGES IN THEIR PRACTICE. OVERALL THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SERVICE AREAS REMAIN UNDERSERVED. (PLEASE SEE PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH PART VI, LINE 5 FOR INFORMATION ON HOW ST. VINCENT'S MULTISPECIALTY GROUP (MSG), A SUBSIDIARY OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER, HAS DEVELOPED A PLAN TO INCREASE ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE AND SPECIALTY SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. SEE ALSO PART VI, LINE 6 AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, FOR MORE ON MSG). THERE IS ONE OTHER HOSPITAL IN BRIDGEPORT, CT THAT SERVES THE SAME POPULATION AS ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 5 PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH - PART I
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ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER'S (SVMC) MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES PROVIDE A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR THE WORK WE DO TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY - A FRAMEWORK THAT EXPRESSES OUR PRIORITIES FOR WHAT WE WILL ACHIEVE AND HOW WE WILL ACHIEVE IT. THE MISSION STATEMENT OF SVMC SAYS THAT "ROOTED IN THE HEALING MINISTRY OF JESUS, WE COMMIT TO PROVIDE QUALITY, HOLISTIC CARE TO ALL FAITHS WITH SPECIAL CONCERN FOR THOSE WHO ARE POOR, VULNERABLE AND UNDERSERVED." THE ORGANIZATION IS DEDICATED TO PROMOTING HEALTHY LIVING AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE AND ENHANCING LIFE BY ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF PATIENTS, FAMILIES, AND OUR COMMUNITY. HEALTHCARE EDUCATION, WELLNESS, AND DISEASE PREVENTION EDUCATION IS OFFERED THROUGH A WEALTH OF RESOURCES SUCH AS SYMPOSIUMS, CLASSES, AND SUPPORT GROUPS. OUR OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS ARE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE PUBLIC HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE. WE SEEK TO ADVANCE MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE KNOWLEDGE THROUGH EDUCATION AND RELIEVE OR ENHANCE ANY ONGOING PUBLIC HEALTHCARE EFFORTS. OUR PROGRAMS REACH ADULTS AND TEENAGERS, MEN AND WOMEN, INFANTS AND SENIORS, PROVIDING HEALTH EDUCATION AND CARE REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY. TAXI VOUCHERS ARE ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO PATIENTS IN NEED. CARDIOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY SEMINARS, WELLNESS PROGRAMS, SCREENINGS AND SUPPORT GROUPS HELPED PEOPLE LEARN TO LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER IS PROUD TO HAVE SPONSORED MANY PROGRAMS IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, REACHING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. ALMOST 562 HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND MEDICAL STUDENTS IN THE BRIDGEPORT AREA ATTENDED OUR HEALTH EDUCATION SEMINARS AND LECTURES TO ADVANCE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SHARE IDEAS. SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND EACH YEAR, ST. VINCENT'S SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND CANCER CHARITY SERVES MORE THAN 25,000 INDIVIDUALS (SEE PART VI, LINE 6, AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM) THROUGH THE TEEN SMOKE STOPPER PROGRAM AND THROUGH SUPPORT GROUPS AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT HELP PATIENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS DEAL WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER, OFFERING HOPE, INFORMATION, FINANCIAL SUPPORT, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SERVICES. DURING FISCAL 2018, THROUGH ITS COMPASSIONATE CARE PROGRAM, THE SWIM MET SOME OF THE FINANCIAL NEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 260 CANCER PATIENTS WITH EXPENSES TOTALING $396, 474 OFFSET BY THE FOUNDATION. THIS FIGURE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE VALUE OF ALL THE SURVIVORSHIP SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT THE SWIM PROVIDES. ST. VINCENT'S MULTISPECIALTY GROUP (MSG) ST. VINCENT'S MULTISPECIALTY GROUP (MSG), A SUBSIDIARY OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER (FOR MORE, SEE AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, PART VI, LINE 6), HAS RESPONDED TO THE SHORTAGE OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS AND LACK OF ACCESS TO CARE FOR PATIENTS IN THE COMMUNITY BY ENLARGING ITS NETWORK OF PROVIDERS. SINCE 2012, MSG HAS ADDED MULTIPLE PROVIDERS IN BOTH PRIMARY CARE AND SPECIALTY CARE. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 33 FULL TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE) PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS INCLUDING APRNS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS THAT ARE EMPLOYED THROUGH THE MSG, AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROVIDERS INCLUDING SPECIALTY PRACTICE PHYSICIANS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS, BOARD CERTIFIED WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPECIALTIES, IS 195 FTE'S. THE GROUP IS ONE OF THE LARGEST PROVIDER NETWORKS WITHIN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. THE SIZE OF THE NETWORK ENABLES US TO OFFER THE COMMUNITY EXPANDED ACCESS AND COORDINATION OF CARE. HOWEVER, THE SINGULAR FOCUS OF PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO HEALTH CARE IS SOLELY DEDICATED TO A PATIENT'S INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. THE MSG CONTINUES TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY PHYSICIANS WHO MAY BE CLOSE TO RETIREMENT OR LOOKING TO CREATE A SUCCESSION PLAN FOR THEIR PRACTICES. UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, IT IS THE GOAL OF THE MSG TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYED PHYSICIANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE PROVIDING PRIMARY CARE SERVICES. A VITAL PART OF OUR MISSION IS OUR GOAL TO PRACTICE POPULATION HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PROVIDE MORE HEALTHCARE ACCESS POINTS FOR PATIENTS AND ENHANCE THEIR QUALITY OF CARE REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY OR THEIR INSURANCE STATUS. THE MSG IS COMMITTED TO DELIVERING CARE TO ANY PATIENT IN NEED. VALUE-ADDED CARE AND BEST PRACTICE MODELS ARE KEY TO POPULATION HEALTH MANAGEMENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY OF PATIENTS. ALL MSG AMBULATORY CARE SITES ARE "BLIND TO PAYER-MIX" WITH THE INTENT THAT EACH AND EVERY PATIENT IS TREATED WITH THE SAME QUALITY OF CARE AND DIGNITY THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR MISSION. ST. VINCENT'S OPERATES A TOTAL OF FIVE URGENT CARE CENTER (UCC) SITES. OUR CURRENT FACILITIES ARE LOCATED IN SHELTON, MONROE, FAIRFIELD, TRUMBULL AND STRATFORD. THE STRATFORD URGENT CARE CENTER IS PART OF ST. VINCENT'S STRATFORD HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER, A NEW, STATE-OF- THE- ART MEDICAL BUILDING WHICH OFFERS PREVENTATIVE, PRIMARY, URGENT AND CARDIOLOGY CARE, ALONG WITH A WOUND CARE CENTER. STRATFORD ALSO PROVIDES A PATIENT EDUCATION CENTER, THE FRANK R. SCIFO, MD, COMMUNITY EDUCATION ROOM, WHICH OFFERS LECTURES, PRESENTATIONS AND IS COMPLETE WITH KITCHEN FACILITIES FOR HEALTHY NUTRITION AND COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS. CANCER CENTER IN 2010, SVMC BROKE GROUND ON THE ELIZABETH M. PFRIEM SWIM CENTER FOR CANCER CARE AND THE RENOVATED AND EXPANDED MICHAEL J. DALY EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. THE ELIZABETH PFRIEM SWIM CENTER FOR CANCER CARE CONTAINS ALL ONCOLOGY SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF. THESE SERVICES ENCOMPASS THE FULL SPECTRUM OF CANCER CARE AND INCLUDE COMMUNITY OUTREACH, SCREENING AND PREVENTION, DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES, SURGICAL AND MEDICAL ONCOLOGY, RADIATION THERAPY, INTERVENTIONAL ONCOLOGY, CLINICAL TRIALS, DEDICATED INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT CANCER UNITS, PALLIATIVE CARE, GENETIC COUNSELING AND PAIN MANAGEMENT ALSO AT THE CENTER WE OFFER FREE ONCOLOGY SURVIVORSHIP SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDE ACUPUNCTURE AND MASSAGE THERAPY IN OUR SPA AND MEDITATION AREA; A CANCER BOUTIQUE WITH FITTINGS FOR WIG, BRAS AND PROSTHESIS, AND LYMPHEDEMA SLEEVES; AND A LIBRARY DEDICATED TO ONCOLOGY PATIENTS WITH FREE COMPUTER ACCESS FOR THEM. OUR PATIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO SOCIAL WORKERS FOR INDIVIDUAL AND/OR FAMILY COUNSELING AND COMPASSIONATE CARE, INDIVIDUAL NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING AND GROUP CLASSES, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND EDUCATIONAL LECTURES. MOST SURVIVORSHIP SERVICES ARE OFFERED FREE WITH FUNDING SUPPLIED BY ST. VINCENT'S SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND CANCER CHARITY. (FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE BOTH ONCOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY UNDER PART VI, LINE 5, AND ST. VINCENT'S FOUNDATION AND SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND CANCER CHARITY FOUND UNDER PART VI, LINE 6, AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT THE MICHAEL J. DALY CENTER FOR EMERGENCY AND TRAUMA CARE WAS RENAMED IN DECEMBER OF 2009 AS THE FIRST SECTION OF THE EXPANDED AND REFURBISHED EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, WHICH OPENED IN FALL 2010. THE COMPLETELY RENOVATED EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, WHICH TRIPLED IN SIZE AND HOLDS 60 BEDS TO ACCOMMODATE THE MORE THAN 66,000 VISITS IT RECEIVES ANNUALLY INCLUDES SPECIALIZED TRAUMA AND CRITICAL CARE SUITES, A "FAST TRACK" AREA FOR MINOR CASE NEEDS, DEDICATED OB/GYN ROOMS, PEDIATRIC AREA, EXPANDED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PSYCHIATRIC AREA WITH A FOCUS ON PRIVACY AND SAFETY, IMPROVEMENTS IN DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING ITS OWN CT SCANNER, ULTRASOUND AND X-RAY EQUIPMENT TO EXPEDITE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF EMERGENCY ROOM PATIENTS, AND A PERMANENT DECONTAMINATION FACILITY FOR HAZARDOUS SPILLS. IN 2014, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER LAUNCHED "PLANMYCARE.COM," FAIRFIELD COUNTY'S FIRST SELF-SCHEDULED URGENT CARE SERVICE THAT ENABLES PATIENTS TO CHECK-IN FOR A PROJECTED TREATMENT TIME. PATIENTS CAN ACCESS ST. VINCENT'S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND ALL URGENT CARE CENTERS ONLINE, VIEW THE NEXT OPEN APPOINTMENTS, AND BOOK THE MOST CONVENIENT LOCATION AND TIME FRAME AVAILABLE. ST. VINCENT'S PLANMYCARE.COM OFFERS PATIENTS THE CONVENIENCE OF STAYING AT HOME OR MISSING LESS WORK RATHER THAN SITTING IN A WAITING ROOM. LIKEWISE, THIS SERVICE GIVES PATIENTS THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE WHICH ST. VINCENT'S URGENT CARE CENTER CAN BEST ACCOMMODATE THE PATIENT'S SCHEDULE, WHICH IS CRUCIAL FOR THE MAJORITY OF WORKING MOTHERS AND CAREGIVERS. AT THE SAME TIME, STAFF MEMBERS KNOW APPROXIMATELY WHEN A PATIENT WILL ARRIVE AND WHAT INJURY, ILLNESS, OR TREATMENT THEY MAY REQUIRE, SAVING EVEN MORE TIME.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 5 PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH - PART II
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FAMILY HEALTH CENTER ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER'S COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN EVIDENCED FOR MANY YEARS THROUGH THE WORK OF OUR FAMILY HEALTH CENTER (FHC). THE FHC, LOCATED ONE BLOCK FROM THE MAIN CAMPUS OF THE HOSPITAL, PROVIDES QUALITY CARE FOR THE PATIENT AND THE ENTIRE FAMILY IN ONE CONVENIENT LOCATION. SPECIALTY SERVICES ARE OFFERED, AS WELL AS PEDIATRIC SERVICES, ADULT MEDICAL CARE, AND GERIATRIC CARE. HEALTHCARE IS PROVIDED TO THOSE IN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT COMMUNITY WHO ARE UNINSURED, UNDERINSURED, LOW-INCOME, HANDICAPPED, HOMELESS, AND/OR FRAIL ELDERLY. THE FHC PROVIDES A PRIVATE PRACTICE MODEL OF CARE TO THOSE WHO LACK CONTINUITY OF CARE. IN JANUARY 2018, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER TRANSFERRED OWNERSHIP OF THE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER TO SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, AN FQHC, TO ALLOW FOR GREATER SUSTAINABILITY AND TO BETTER SERVE THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT RESOURCES. HOPE DISPENSARY IN THE SPRING OF 2011, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CEMTER STAFF, THE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ALLIANCE (FORMERLY PRIMARY CARE ACTION GROUP) LAUNCHED THE HOPE DISPENSARY OF GREATER BRIDGEPORT, WHICH IS A PHARMACY THAT OFFERS MEDICATION, FREE OF CHARGE, TO LOW INCOME AND UNINSURED PERSONS. THE DISPENSARY HAS BECOME A CRITICAL RESOURCE TO ENSURE A HEALTHY COMMUNITY. THE DISPENSARY RUNS ON LITTLE RESOURCES, PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES WITH VERY LOW OVERHEAD. THE STATE LICENSED PHARMACY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL LOW INCOME, UNINSURED PATIENTS OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER, SURROUNDING CLINICS AND HOSPITALS IN THE COMMUNITY. IT IS PROVING TO BE AN ENORMOUS ASSET FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS AS WELL AS SOME ACUTE ILLNESSES. THE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ALLIANCE AND THE HOPE DISPENSARY EMPHASIZE THE VALUES AND INSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENT WE HAVE TO SERVING THE POOR AND VULNERABLE THROUGHOUT THE BRIDGEPORT COMMUNITY. IN FY 2018, HOPE DISPENSARY PROVIDED MORE THAN 4,800 PATIENTS WITH MEDICATION WORTH ALMOST $1.4 MILLION BOTH FROM THE NATIONAL DISPENSARY OF HOPE STOCK AND FROM MANUFACTURER PATIENT ASSISTANT PROGRAMS. THE DISPENSARY FILLED 10,523 PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PATIENTS BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL (FDL) OR MEETING MANUFACTURER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. THE MAJORITY OF PATIENTS ARE AT OR BELOW 100% OF THE FDL. THERE WERE 455 INTERVENTIONS AND REFERRALS AND 995 THERAPEUTIC INTERCHANGES. THE HOPE DISPENSARY PROVIDES PRESCRIPTION LABELS IN FIVE LANGUAGES AS WELL AS PICTOGRAMS TO HELP PATIENTS FOLLOW THEIR MEDICATION REGIMENS. WE ARE PROACTIVE IN MAKING REFERRALS FOR PATIENTS TO FOOD SOURCES, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS. MANY PATIENTS CAN MANAGE THEIR CHRONIC CONDITIONS WITH THE HELP OF THE HOPE DISPENSARY AND WE TRY TO HELP THEM AVOID THE EMERGENCY ROOM, AND INPATIENT HOSPITAL STAYS. IN ADDITION, HOPE DISPENSARY COLLABORATES WITH LOCAL UNIVERSITIES OFFERING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS FROM MANY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONS. STUDENTS ARE INVOLVED IN PATIENT ENROLLMENT AND SATISFACTION SURVEYS AS WELL AS PAPER CHART MANAGEMENT. MAMMOGRAPHY ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER WAS AMONG THE FIRST ORGANIZATIONS IN CONNECTICUT TO MAKE THE PROMISE OF MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENING TO WOMEN WITHOUT INSURANCE, NOT KNOWING WHAT THE RESPONSE WOULD BE INITIALLY. SINCE THOSE EARLY TIMES, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER HAS SCREENED MANY THOUSANDS OF WOMEN WHO WOULD NOT HAVE HAD ACCESS TO SCREENING. BY PROVIDING BREAST SCREENINGS IN THIS REGIONAL COMMUNITY, MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS SERVICES THAT ARE IMPERATIVE FOR PROMOTING BREAST HEALTH AND REDUCING BREAST CANCER MORTALITY. IN THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE SCREENING MAMMOGRAMS, DIAGNOSTIC MAMMOGRAMS, AND BREAST ULTRASOUNDS TO UNDERINSURED OR UNINSURED WOMEN. THIS BREAST SCREENING PROGRAM REACHES OUT TO AT-RISK ASYMPTOMATIC WOMEN WHO HAVE BARRIERS THAT PREVENT THEM FROM ACCESSING SERVICES AND WHO ARE MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED, ELDERLY, MINORITY, UNINSURED, OR UNDERINSURED. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER REMOVES BARRIERS TO CARE BY IMPROVING ACCESS THROUGH ITS CUSTOMIZED COACH WITH DIGITAL MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY AND THROUGH A BILINGUAL STAFF AND MATERIALS. OUR SCREENING FACILITIES INCLUDE OUR CUSTOMIZED DIGITAL MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY COACH AND THE WOMEN'S IMAGING CENTER LOCATED IN THE ELIZABETH M. PFRIEM SWIM CENTER FOR CANCER CARE. WE PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 107 MAMMOGRAPHIES THROUGH OUR MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY VAN IN FISCAL YEAR 2018. A NUMBER OF THESE PATIENTS WERE UNINSURED. ALL HAVE BEEN PAID FOR BY ST. VINCENT'S SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND CANCER CHARITY AND VARIOUS GRANTS. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES WITH REGIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. ITS AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY RECOGNIZED BREAST IMAGING CENTER OF EXCELLENCE OPERATES A COMPREHENSIVE ONCOLOGY SERVICE, WHICH IS INDICATIVE OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER'S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE EXPERT CARE. THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY ACCREDITED OUR BREAST ULTRASOUND AND IMAGE-GUIDED BIOPSY SERVICES. THE ACR COMMISSION ON QUALITY AND SAFETY ACCREDITED OUR MAMMOGRAPHY SERVICES AND MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY SERVICES. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER IS COMMITTED TO VOLUNTARY INSPECTION AND COMPLIANCE WITH DEFINED PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER RECEIVED FULL ACCREDITATION WITH COMMENDATION FROM THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEON'S NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CANCER. THE CANCER CENTER CAN BE CHARACTERIZED AS A FACILITY WITH STRONG ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITIES AND INSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENT. ONCOLOGY SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAMS ONCOLOGY SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAMS AT ST. VINCENT'S ELIZABETH M. PFRIEM SWIM CENTER FOR CANCER CARE INCLUDE A WIDE RANGE OF UNIQUE SERVICES AND THERAPIES TO BOTH CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS. PROGRAMS FOCUS ON WELLNESS OF MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT FROM DIAGNOSIS, THROUGH TREATMENT AND BEYOND. MOST SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAMS ARE FREE OF CHARGE AND CAN BE MODIFIED BASED ON THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS. THERE ARE MANY PROGRAMS TO CHOOSE FROM, INCLUDING YOGA, MEDITATION, QIGONG, MUSIC AND ART THERAPY, MASSAGE THERAPY, ACUPUNCTURE, EXERCISE CLASSES, AQUATICS CLASSES, PATIENT AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL NUTRITION PROGRAMS FOR CANCER PATIENTS AND SURVIVORS, THE LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER PROGRAM, ONCOLOGY REHABILITATION SERVICES, LAY NAVIGATION, AND A COMPASSIONATE CARE PROGRAM. THREE SUPPORT GROUPS ARE OFFERED TO CANCER PATIENTS AND ARE FACILITATED BY THE ONCOLOGY SOCIAL WORKER: BREAST CANCER, CANCER SUPPORT GROUP AND LIVING WELL AFTER CANCER. THE SERVICES COMPLEMENT TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTICES BY INCORPORATING MULTIPLE SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT PATIENT HEALTH AND VITALITY. PATIENT OUTCOMES INCLUDE INCREASED PATIENT INVOLVEMENT IN CARE AND ENHANCED QUALITY OF LIFE. THESE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE TO CANCER PATIENTS TREATED AT ST. VINCENT'S AND OTHERS LIVING IN SELECT TOWNS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE TREATED AT ST. VINCENT'S. THIS IS ALL MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH ST. VINCENT'S SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND CANCER CHARITY. IN 2018, THERE WERE MORE THAN 3,100 UTILIZATIONS OF SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAMS BY CANCER PATIENTS. (THIS FIGURE INCLUDES MULTIPLE UTILIZATIONS BY THE SAME PATIENTS.)
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 5 PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH - PART III
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CARDIAC PROGRAMS FOR THE COMMUNITY CARDIAC SCREENINGS HUNDREDS OF CARDIAC SCREENINGS WERE PERFORMED DURING THE YEAR AT ST. VINCENT'S WELLNESS BOOTH LOCATED IN THE MAIN LOBBY, AT SITES INCLUDING SENIOR CENTERS IN BRIDGEPORT AND THROUGHOUT THE AREA, AND WEEKLY VISITS TO THE MERTON CENTER, A SOUP KITCHEN SERVING THE POOR AND HOMELESS IN BRIDGEPORT, WHICH ALLOWED THE CARDIAC NURSE TO FOLLOW THE PROGRESS OF GUESTS, SOME WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS. LECTURES: TWO ANNUAL LECTURES ON CARDIAC TOPICS WERE PRESENTED DURING FY 2018 AS A JOINT PROGRAM OF ST. VINCENT'S WOMEN AT HEART PROGRAM AND ITS HEALTHY HEARTS CLUB. PHYSICIANS AND OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS DELIVERED THE PRESENTATIONS HELD AT ST. VINCENT'S. CARDIAC SCREENINGS WERE PERFORMED AT ALL EVENTS. A CARDIAC EDUCATOR ALSO DELIVERED SEVERAL LECTURES IN THE COMMUNITY ON BEHALF OF WOMEN AT HEART. WOMEN AT HEART: IN RESPONSE TO THE INCREASE OF HEART DISEASE IN WOMEN, THE ST. VINCENT'S REGINA L. COZZA WOMEN AT HEART (WAH) PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2004 TO EDUCATE WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE RISK FACTORS FOR CARDIAC DISEASE AND THE DIFFERENCES IN WOMEN'S SYMPTOMS. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF COMMUNITY EVENTS OFFERING THE FOLLOWING FREE SCREENINGS AND ASSESSMENTS: * BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS * BLOOD SUGAR SCREENINGS * EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE * COUNSELING * BODY FAT TESTING * BMI (BODY MASS INDEX) * CHOLESTEROL SCREENINGS (REDUCED FEES) * EDUCATIONAL LECTURES BY NURSES AND PHYSICIANS THE PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED THROUGH AN ENDOWMENT ESTABLISHED THROUGH ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION, WHICH ENABLES THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE SCREENINGS FREE OF CHARGE TO WOMEN. ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND NUMEROUS LOCATIONS INCLUDING SOUP KITCHENS HAVE BEEN UTILIZED ON AN ONGOING BASIS IN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA TO REACH WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY. PRIMARY CARE ACTION GROUP (PCAG) TASK FORCES IN 2013, MORE THAN 100 INDIVIDUALS FROM PCAG AND THEIR COMMUNITY PARTNERS (INCLUDING BOTH HOSPITALS IN BRIDGEPORT, LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, COMMUNITY AGENCIES, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, UNIVERSITIES, TOWN AND CITY AGENCIES AND RESIDENTS) COMPLETED A CHNA AND PRIORITIZATION PROCESS TO IDENTIFY PRIORITY HEALTH ISSUES. THE CHNA WAS UPDATED IN 2015. FROM THE WORK IN 2013, FOUR AREAS OF FOCUS WERE SELECTED INCLUDING: CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES, OBESITY (HEALTHY LIFESTYLES), MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND ACCESS TO CARE. THESE SAME FOCUS AREAS WERE SELECTED IN 2015, WITH UPDATED GOALS. ACTION PLANS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED FOR EACH OF THE TASK FORCES AND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION HAS BEGUN. 1. THE GOAL OF THE CARDIAC & DIABETES TASK FORCE WAS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE, PROGRESSION, AND BURDEN OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES THROUGH A STRATEGY OF PREVENTIVE SCREENINGS AND EDUCATION FOR AREA RESIDENTS. THE CARDIAC & DIABETES TASK FORCE: HAS DEVELOPED A CARDIAC AND DIABETES PROVIDER DIRECTORY CONDUCTED OVER 400 "KNOW YOUR NUMBERS" HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES SCREENINGS AT COMMUNITY SITES IN THE LAST YEAR THE UPDATED GOALS OF THIS TASK FORCE ARE TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF REPEAT EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS WITH COMPLICATIONS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE OR DIABETES, TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD THROUGH FOOD PANTRIES, TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SCREENINGS PER YEAR TO IDENTIFY THOSE AT RISK FOR THESE DISEASES, AND TO COMMUNICATE AWARENESS AND BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO NEED THEM. 2. THE GOAL OF THE OBESITY/HEALTHY LIFESTYLES TASK FORCE WAS TO REDUCE AND PREVENT OBESITY BY CREATING ENVIRONMENTS THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIVING IN THE REGION. THE UPDATED GOALS INCLUDE INCREASING ACCESS TO AND AFFORDABILITY OF HEALTHY FOOD AND BEVERAGE CHOICES IN THE COMMUNITY, INCREASING ACCESS TO AND AFFORDABILITY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE COMMUNITY, ENHANCING WELLNESS IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, AND SUPPORTING TOBACCO CESSATION IN THE COMMUNITY. THE ACTION PLAN FOR THE OBESITY ISSUE HAS LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF GET HEALTHY CT (GHCT), A BROAD REACHING COALITION WITH OVER 300 MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, HOSPITALS, HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND HEALTH DISTRICTS, SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, BUSINESSES, TOWN AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, RESEARCHERS, AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT IS DEDICATED TO ELIMINATING OBESITY BY REMOVING BARRIERS TO HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THROUGH THE INCLUSIVE COLLABORATION OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS WORK IS IN LINE WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS AS HEALTHY LIVING AND OBESITY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY HEALTH ISSUES IN THE CHNA AS FAR BACK AS 2013. GET HEALTHY CT WAS FORMED IN GREATER BRIDGEPORT IN 2010 AND HAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE A CHAPTER IN NEW HAVEN AND COORDINATED EFFORTS IN GREENWICH. OUR APPROACH IS TO IDENTIFY EXISTING RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS AND USE OUR WEBSITE AS THE CENTRAL CONNECTING POINT FOR INFORMATION AND COLLABORATION. OUR COMMUNITY-WIDE COALITION AIMS TO "MAKE THE HEALTHY CHOICE THE EASY CHOICE". GET HEALTHY CT DEDICATED WEBSITE, A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR INFORMATION AROUND HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, WITH MONTHLY HEALTH FEATURES INCLUDING: 1. LOCAL RESOURCE DIRECTORIES, MONTHLY HEALTH FEATURE, WORKPLACE WELLNESS IDEAS FOR EMPLOYERS, AND DAYCARE CENTER SURVEY AND BEST PRACTICES 2. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PLEDGES 3. NEWSLETTER WITH MONTHLY HEALTH FEATURES 4. INFORMATIONAL PACKETS DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT COMMUNITY 5. HEALTHY LIFESTYLES EDUCATION AT COMMUNITY EVENTS 6. WALKING PROGRAM 7. PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING CHOICES * GENEROUS GRANT FUNDING HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF GET HEALTHY CT BY THE UNITED WAY OF COASTAL FAIRFIELD COUNTY WITH ADDITIONAL IN-KIND AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS 3. THE GOAL OF THE MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE ABUSE TASK FORCE WAS TO INCREASE THE UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AS PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE EQUAL ACCESS TO PREVENTION AND TREATMENT FOR AREA RESIDENTS. ESTABLISHED AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT HIGH UTILIZER MENTAL HEALTH PATIENT COMMUNITY CARE TEAM THAT IS FULLY OPERATIONAL SUPPORTED SEVERAL PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS TO DE-STIGMATIZE ISSUES AROUND MENTAL HEALTH AND PROVIDE TRAINING TO PROVIDERS AND SUPPORT TO PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES MAY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH RECOGNITION NOVEMBER DEPRESSION AWARENESS MONTH RECOGNITION THE UPDATED GOALS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE ABUSE TASK FORCE ARE TO INCREASE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH HEALTH EDUCATION INITIATIVES, TO INTEGRATE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SCREENINGS INTO URGENT CARE SETTINGS, TO INCREASE ACCESS TO SERVICES BY IMPROVING THE COORDINATION OF CARE FOR FREQUENT EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PATIENTS, AND TO INCREASE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS. 4. THE GOAL OF THE ACCESS TO CARE TASK FORCE WAS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE REGION. INCREASED NUMBER OF PRIMARY CARE AND SPECIALTY CLINIC VISITS REDUCED WAIT TIME FOR APPOINTMENTS DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED A PRIMARY CARE BROCHURE TO EDUCATE PATIENTS ABOUT THE NEED FOR A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER. ALL CLINICS AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS IN BRIDGEPORT ARE USING IT. ADVOCACY FOR USE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS MANAGING STATEWIDE ASTHMA REDUCTION INITIATIVE THE ACCESS TO CARE TASK FORCE GOALS ARE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ACCESSING CARE FROM THE APPROPRIATE DELIVERY SITE, INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT COMMUNITY ACCESSING SPECIALISTS, INCREASING THE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF ASTHMA IN THE COMMUNITY, INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT COMMUNITY ACCESSING DENTAL CARE, AND TO DEVELOP A NETWORK OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES WHO HAVE ADOPTED OR TAKEN DOCUMENTED STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE SERVICES (CLAS STANDARDS) TO REDUCE HEALTH INEQUALITY AMONG THE AT RISK AND MINORITY POPULATIONS.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 5 PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH - PART IV
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KNOW YOUR NUMBERS IN FEBRUARY 2014, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PRIMARY CARE ACTION GROUP (PCAG) CARDIOVASCULAR/DIABETES TASK FORCE, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN ORGANIZING AND COORDINATING THE AREA'S FIRST "KNOW YOUR NUMBERS" HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. KNOW YOUR NUMBERS SUCCEEDED IN REACHING OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE UNDERSERVED AT SOUP KITCHENS, FOOD PANTRIES, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS, SENIOR CENTERS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY LOCATIONS, TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION AND MONITORING OF THEIR CHRONIC CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO STAY HEALTHY. OUR COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT ACTIVELY SUPPORTED THE EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT THE SCREENINGS WERE WELL PUBLICIZED AND ATTENDED. A GRASS-ROOTS PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, "KNOW YOUR NUMBERS" DREW FROM THE BEST IDEAS OF POPULATION HEALTH AND BROUGHT INFORMATION ON RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES AND HOW TO GET SCREENED TO THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY RATHER THAN MAKING THEM SEEK IT OUT. FREE SCREENINGS INCLUDED BODY MASS INDEX (BMI), WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE, BLOOD PRESSURE, BLOOD SUGAR, AND CHOLESTEROL. "KNOW YOUR NUMBERS" REACHED 518 PEOPLE ACROSS 10 DIFFERENT SITES IN BRIDGEPORT IN 2018. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS FROM ST. VINCENT'S LED THE CAMPAIGN WHICH ALSO INCLUDED VOLUNTEERS FROM OTHER HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS AND THE BOARDS OF HEALTH OF BRIDGEPORT AND SURROUNDING TOWNS. THE CAMPAIGN DID REACH ITS GOAL OF IDENTIFYING UNKNOWN CASES OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES, WITH 79 OF THE PEOPLE SCREENED RECEIVING A REFERRAL TO A NEW PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER BASED ON THEIR SCREENING RESULTS AND LACK OF A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. ALTHOUGH VARIOUS SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS WERE INCLUDED, THE CAMPAIGN'S MAIN FOCUS WAS IN EDUCATING AN IMPORTANT TARGET AUDIENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AT RISK FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: THE LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY POPULATIONS. BLACK, HISPANIC AND SOME ASIAN PARTICIPANTS WERE SCREENED THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND RESULTS BORE OUT LOCAL AND NATIONAL STUDIES SHOWING SIGNIFICANT RISK FACTOR AVERAGES AT EACH SITE FOR OBESITY, BLOOD PRESSURE, AND DIABETES. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS FROM BOTH ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER AND BRIDGEPORT HOSPITAL, OTHER SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE BOARDS OF HEALTH OF BRIDGEPORT AND THE SURROUNDING TOWNS OF STRATFORD, FAIRFIELD, TRUMBULL, AND MONROE CAME TOGETHER TO TEACH INDIVIDUALS THE LINK BETWEEN THESE SCREENING NUMBERS AND THEIR OVERALL HEALTH. THE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED HEALTH EDUCATION ON HOW TO PREVENT OR BETTER MANAGE THEIR EXISTING DISEASE AND IN SOME CASES RECEIVED A REFERRAL TO A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER. THE SCOPE OF THE SCREENINGS GREW AS INDIVIDUALS WHO FREQUENTED HOMELESS SHELTERS AND FOOD PANTRIES WERE FOLLOWED PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY NURSING STUDENTS RECRUITED FROM FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY, SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY AND ST. VINCENT'S COLLEGE WHO ASSISTED AT THE SCREENINGS. THIS STUDENT PARTICIPATION BECAME PART OF A NEW COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE "KNOW YOUR NUMBERS" TEAM AND THE AREA SCHOOLS. ST. VINCENT'S CONTRIBUTES $10,000 ANNUALLY TOWARDS KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (KYN) AND DEDICATES A FULL TIME STAFF MEMBER TO THE PROGRAM'S IMPLEMENTATION AND CONTINUED EXPANSION. A DOZEN VOLUNTEERS HELP AT EACH SCREENING. THESE VOLUNTEERS INCLUDE HOSPITAL STAFF AND LOCAL NURSING STUDENTS. KYN HEALTH SCREENINGS INCLUDE BMI, WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE, BLOOD PRESSURE, BLOOD SUGAR, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, EVERYONE'S HBIC WAS CHECKED. PREVIOUSLY, ONLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS HAD THEIR A1C CHECKED. THIS YEAR, CHOLESTEROL TESTING WAS DROPPED AS IT TRULY REQUIRES FASTING, AND IT WAS REPLACED BY A1C TESTING OF ALL INDIVIDUALS. PARTICIPANTS ALSO RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, NUTRITION EDUCATION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TIPS. WHAT BEGAN AS A WAY TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT KNOWING THEIR OWN HEALTH NUMBERS HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS TO A MULTIFACETED APPROACH TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF FOOD PANTRY CLIENTS. ONE OF THE FIRST ENHANCEMENTS TO KYN WAS IMPLEMENTING SUPPORTING WELLNESS AT PANTRIES (SWAP) STARTING IN 2016. DEVELOPED BY ST. JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY AND THE UCONN RUDD CENTER, SWAP IS A NUTRITIONAL COLOR CODED SYSTEM THAT ENABLES PANTRY MANAGERS TO LABEL AND GROUP FOOD USING AN EASY TO UNDERSTAND RED/YELLOW/GREEN SYSTEM. THIS ENABLES PARTICIPANTS TO CHOOSE HEALTHIER FOOD ITEMS. THIS YEAR, THE SWAP PROGRAM WAS UTILIZED AND TRACKED AT SIX OF THE TEN PANTRIES WHERE KNOW YOUR NUMBERS TOOK PLACE. ANOTHER KYN ENHANCEMENT HAS BEEN THE INTEGRATION OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER (CHW) MODEL TO CONNECT PARTICIPANTS TO FOLLOW-UP MEDICAL CARE WHERE NEEDED. PRIOR TO 2018, REFERRALS CAME IN THE FORM OF A HANDOUT CREATED BY PCAG WITH INFORMATION ON LOCAL CLINICS. HOWEVER, WE RECOGNIZED THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE TO DO MORE TO CONNECT THIS VULNERABLE POPULATION DIRECTLY TO FOLLOW-UP CARE. KYN PARTICIPANTS ARE NOW RECEIVING DIRECT REFERRALS TO FOLLOW-UP CARE AND/OR REFERRALS TO OTHERS RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY. INCORPORATING SWAP AND THE CHW MODEL INTO KYN WILL INCREASE THE IMPACT OF IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF FOOD PANTRY CLIENTS. USING LESSONS LEARNED OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, ST. VINCENT'S IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH COLLEAGUES AT YALE NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL, AND NEW HAVEN PARTNERS, TO REPLICATE THIS PROGRAM THERE IN LATE 2018. THE GOAL IS THAT THESE TWO SITES CAN SERVE AS A MODEL FOR OTHER HOSPITALS. ST. VINCENT'S RESOURCE FAIR ST. VINCENT'S MISSION SERVICES AND PASTORAL CARE DEPARTMENTS HOSTED THEIR 2ND COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR IN NOVEMBER OF 2016. THE EVENT DREW MORE THAN 200 STAFF MEMBERS. THE GOAL WAS TO INFORM STAFF ABOUT SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS AND AREA RESIDENTS TO KEEP THEM HEALTHY. THE EVENT INVOLVED ALMOST 50 OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER SOCIAL SERVICES TO AREA RESIDENTS AND ALLOWED FOR NETWORKING AMONG HOSPITAL STAFF AND THESE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. PLANS CALL FOR A POSSIBLE FOLLOW UP TO THIS EVENT WHEN RESOURCES ALLOW. PARISH NURSE PROGRAM THE PARISH NURSE PROGRAM IS A BROAD- REACHING PARTNERSHIP WITH 78 CHURCHES OF ALL FAITHS IN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA AND ALL OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY SUPPORTING NURSES IN THEIR FAITH COMMUNITIES THROUGH COLLABORATION AND NETWORKING. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 194 NURSES IN BOTH THE BRIDGEPORT AND STAMFORD CHAPTERS. THROUGH THE PROGRAM, OUR NURSES PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, HEALTH SCREENINGS, REFERRALS, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TO THE PARISHIONERS OF THE CHURCHES. OUR PARISH NURSES PARTICIPATED IN A COMMUNITY WIDE HEALTH AWARENESS PROGRAM CALLED "KNOW YOUR NUMBERS." IN FY 2018, ST. VINCENT'S PARISH NURSES SCREENED 4,983 INDIVIDUALS FOR CARDIAC DISEASE IN THEIR FAITH COMMUNITIES. ST. VINCENT'S PARISH NURSE OFFICE PROVIDED EDUCATION AND RESOURCES FOR MEETINGS ATTENDED BY 126 PARISH NURSES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. "YOU VISITED ME" SPIRITUAL MINISTERS TRAINING THE "YOU VISITED ME" PROGRAM, PILOTED IN FALL OF 2014 WITH TEN PARTICIPANTS FROM THE COMMUNITY, ENCOMPASSES A 10-WEEK CURRICULUM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS DISCERN WHERE THEY MIGHT WANT TO SPIRITUALLY MINISTER TO PEOPLE. THIS ONGOING PROGRAM, WHICH HAS PARTICIPANTS MEETING FOR TWO HOURS WEEKLY FOR TEN WEEKS, HAS A GOAL OF HELPING DEVELOP LAY PEOPLE WHO CAN MINISTER TO PEOPLE'S SPIRITUAL NEEDS NOT ONLY WITHIN ST. VINCENT'S BUT IN THEIR OWN FAITH COMMUNITIES. HOSPITAL STAFF PERFORM PRESENTATIONS ON TOPICS RELEVANT TO SPIRITUAL MINISTRY IN A CLINICAL SETTING. A CURRICULUM BOOK HAS BEEN COORDINATED BY A PASTORAL CARE THEOLOGY STUDENT INTERN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR AND PASTORAL CARE MANAGER. IN 2016, SEVEN DEACONS FROM THE DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT COMPRISED THE SPRING COHORT, CREATING A NEW PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DIOCESE TO OFFER VISITING WITH THE SICK AND INFIRM AS PART OF THEIR DEACONATE TRAINING. UPON COMPLETION OF THE TRAINING, PARTICIPANTS PERFORM A CLINICAL ROTATION AT THE HOSPITAL AND PROVIDE SPIRITUAL VISITS TO PATIENTS AND STAFF. FROM THAT POINT, THEY MAY CHOOSE TO CONTINUE TO MINISTER AT ST. VINCENT'S OR OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. IN FY 2018, SIX MEN IN DIACONATE FORMATION PLUS THREE DEACONS COMPLETED THE PROGRAM, AND COMMITTED TO PERFORMING A MINUMUM OF 40 HOURS OF PATIENT AND COMMUNITY VISITATIONS.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 5 PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH - PART V
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PASTORAL CARE OUTREACH TO EMS PARTNERS ST. VINCENT'S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, PASTORAL CARE AND EMS COORDINATOR COLLABORATED IN FY 15 TO DEVELOP AN OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR ALL EMS WORKERS THAT INCLUDES: AN INVITATION TO FORMAL DEBRIEFINGS AND LESS FORMAL FOLLOW-UP CONVERSATIONS FOLLOWING EMOTIONALLY IMPACTFUL EVENTS, A CHAPLAIN SUPPORT E-MAIL THAT EMS PERSONNEL CAN USE TO CONTACT PASTORAL CARE, AND A 24-HOUR PHONE LINE ANSWERED BY A MEMBER OF THE HOSPITAL'S PASTORAL CARE DEPARTMENT. THE IDEA IS TO PROVIDE SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR OUR EMS PARTNERS, AS, UNLIKE POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL, THEY HAVE NO DESIGNATED CHAPLAIN TO ASSIST THEM AFTER DIFFICULT SITUATIONS. IN FY 2018 THIS OUTREACH HELPED PASTORAL CARE CHAPLAINS ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH EMS STAFF. THE EFFECT SEEMS TO HAVE RIPPLED TO OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS INCLUDING BRIDGEPORT POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, WHO HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED IN AN INFORMAL WAY BY OUR PASTORAL CARE DEPARTMENT. THE PASTORAL CARE DEPARTMENT IS NOW PREPARING FOR ITS ANNUAL EMS PRAYER SERVICE IN MAY WHICH IS COORDINATED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ST.VINCENT'S EMS COORDINATOR. LAST YEAR SIX EMS WORKERS WERE HONORED WITH "VALUES" AWARDS BY ST. VINCENT'S. THIS YEAR'S SERVICE WILL BE HELD IN HAWLEY CONFERENCE CENTER AND INCLUDE VALUES RECOGNITION AWARDS FOR EMS INDIVIDUALS FROM ALL OUR OUR EMS PARTNERS, SERVING ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER. PASTORAL CARE OUTREACH TO PREFERRED PARTNER PATIENTS A NEW PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2018, IN WHICH PASTORAL CARE CHAPLAINS VISITED TWO LOCAL SKILLED NURSING HOMES, LORD CHAMBERLAIN AND LUDLOWE, TO FACILITATE DIFFICULT END-OF-LIFE CONVERSATIONS WITH PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES. THE CHAPLAINS ALSO OFFERED PASTORAL SERVICES TO ALL PATIENTS IN NEED AT THESE INSTITUTIONS. LAST YEAR APPROXIMATELY 60 PATIENT VISITS WERE MADE THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. MEDICAL MISSION AT HOME DURING FISCAL YEAR 2015, ST. VINCENT'S BEGAN PLANNING ITS FIRST EVER MEDICAL MISSION AT HOME. THE COMPLETELY FREE EVENT TOOK PLACE ON OCTOBER 17, 2015 AT CESAR BATALLA SCHOOL IN AN UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOOD IN BRIDGEPORT. IN OCTOBER OF 2016, THE 2ND ANNUAL EVENT TOOK PLACE AT GERALDINE JOHNSON SCHOOL IN BRIDGEPORT AND DREW ALMOST 200 PEOPLE, FROM AMONG THE AREA'S MOST VULNERABLE, OFFERING MULTI-DISCIPLINARY HEALTH SERVICES TO PERSONS WHO WERE UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED, INCLUDING HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. SERVICES PROVIDED FREE WERE: MEDICAL EXAMS; POINT OF CARE TESTING; BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE; SHOE, COAT, AND READER EYEGLASS DISTRIBUTION; FOOT WASHING AND PODIATRY; PHYSICAL THERAPY; FLU SHOTS AND VACCINATIONS; NUTRITION AND SMOKING CESSATION COUNSELING; MEDICATION DISPENSING; AND CHILD CARE. A FREE BAGGED LUNCH WAS GIVEN TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL. THE 3RD ANNUAL MEDICAL MISSION AT HOME EVENT TOOK PLACE ON NOVEMBER 4, 2017 BACK AT CESAR BATALLA SCHOOL IN BRIDGEPORT. ABOUT 385 PEOPLE RECEIVED SERVICES PROVIDED BY 481 CLINICAL AND NON-CLINICAL VOLUNTEERS MOSTLY FROM ST. VINCENT'S AND AREA UNIVERSITIES. MANY CLINICAL AND NON-CLINICAL STAFF WORKED TO COORDINATE THE HUGE EVENT, WITH MANY STAFF MEMBERS AND AREA STUDENTS VOLUNTEERING TO SET UP THE NIGHT BEFORE AND ASSISTING IN A NUMBER OF CAPACITIES ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT. HEAVY PUBLICITY HELPED TO DRAW THE LARGE NUMBER OF ATTENDEES. ST. VINCENT'S MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT COMMITTED SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES TO PRINTING, PUBLICIZING, AND DELIVERING MATERIALS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE EVENT. FLYERS WERE POSTED AT HOMELESS SHELTERS, FOOD PANTRIES, CHURCHES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, LAUNDROMATS AND CONVENIENCE STORES. STAFF DISTRIBUTED LAWN SIGNS, POSTED THEM AT THE BUS SHELTER, AND PLACED RADIO SPOTS. ADDITIONALLY, A DIRECT MAILING OF 5,000 POSTCARDS WAS SENT TO INDIVIDUALS AND AREA ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE THE HOMELESS OR UNINSURED. FEATURE STORIES RAN IN THE EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER AND A MEDIA ADVISORY WENT OUT ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT FOR COVERAGE. ON SITE, ST. VINCENT'S PROVIDED SANDWICH BOARDS, BANNERS AND OTHER SIGNAGE. A MAIN GOAL OF THE EVENT WAS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE, TO ARRANGE FOLLOW UP WITH A MEDICAL PROVIDER FOR THOSE WITHOUT A MEDICAL HOME, AND TO IMPROVE THE NECESSARY CONNECTION TO NEEDED CONSISTENT SERVICES. LOCAL PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS WERE ON SITE TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS. THESE INCLUDED ST. VINCENT'S MULTISPECIALTY GROUP AND SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER (FQHC). THOSE WITHOUT INSURANCE WERE REFERRED TO ACCESS HEALTH CT, WHO WAS ALSO ON SITE, FOR POSSIBLE SIGNUP. ADDITIONALLY, SOCIAL SERVICES WERE ON SITE TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS WITH RESOURCES TO ADDRESS ADDITIONAL BASIC NEEDS. THE EVENT ALSO HELPED ST. VINCENT'S INCREASE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE GAPS IN THE CURRENT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE, AND INCREASE INVOLVEMENT BY PROVIDERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. AS A MEMBER OF ASCENSION HEALTH, THE MEDICAL MISSION AT HOME EVENT IS ONE WAY ST. VINCENT'S IS WORKING TO ACHIEVE 100% ACCESS TO CARE AND COVERAGE FOR CARE. IN 2017, COMMUNITY PARTNERS INCLUDED: ACCESS HEALTH CT, SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER (FQHC), HOPE DISPENSARY OF GREATER BRIDGEPORT, BRIDGEPORT HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BRIDGEPORT FARMERS MARKET COLLABORATIVE, THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT TRANSIT AUTHORITY, THE 2-1-1 INFORMATION LINE (UNITED WAY), BRIDGEPORT NEIGHBORHOOD TRUST, BRIDGEPORT PROSPERS, CENTER FOR FAMILY JUSTICE, COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF GREATER BRIDGEPORT, CT FOOD BANK, FONES SCHOOL OF DENTAL HYGIENE, GET HEALTHY CT, LIFE BRIDGE COMMUNITY SERVICES, ST. VINCENT'S MULTISPECIALTY GROUP, NEW ENGLAND ORGAN DONATION BANK, ST. VINCENT'S PARISH NURSES, REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH BOARD, ST. VINCENT'S SMOKESTOPPERS, SOUTHWESTERN CONNECTICUT AGENCY ON AGING. ST. VINCENT'S COMMITTED FUNDS FROM ITS FOUNDATION TO SPONSOR THIS EVENT TO BENEFIT THE NEEDIEST IN THE COMMUNITY. THE SUCCESS OF THIS EVENT HAS LED TO PLANNING TO MAKE IT AN ANNUAL ONE. OUTCOMES OF MEDICAL MISSION AT HOME: AS A RESULT OF THE MEDICAL MISSION AT HOME EVENT IN FY18, 55 APPOINTMENTS WERE MADE WITH PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS, 169 FREE PRESCRIPTIONS WERE DISPENSED, AND 260 VACCINATIONS WERE ADMINISTERED. STAFF REFERRED INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT INSURANCE TO ACCESS HEALTH CT AND FOLLOW UP CALLS WERE COMPLETED WITH THOSE THAT DID NOT HAVE INSURANCE. ABOUT 88 WOMEN WERE PREREGISTERED FOR MAMMOGRAMS. THE EVENT ALSO PROVIDED 119 FOOT WASHINGS, 60 PODIATRY EXAMS AND 50 PEOPLE WERE PROVIDED WITH MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENTS.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 5 PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH - PART VI
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PATIENT/FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL (PFAC) ST. VINCENT'S PUTS A PRIORITY ON INPUT FROM PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IT NOT ONLY BELIEVES THIS INPUT TO BE CRITICAL IN THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY MEDICAL CARE TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT THIS INPUT ALSO ASSISTS IN GUIDING THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PRIORITIES AND PLANNING. IN 2007, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER IMPLEMENTED A PATIENT FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL (PFAC-NAME CHANGED FROM PFAB IN 2017) AS A VEHICLE TO GIVE A MEANINGFUL VOICE TO PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PFAC ACTS AS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ADMINISTRATION, AND STAFF. PFAC'S MAIN PURPOSE IS TO BE THE "VOICE OF THE PATIENT" TO ALL AT ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER AND TO PROMOTE PATIENT AND FAMILY-CENTERED CARE. (SEE PART VI LINE 5 FOR MORE INFORMATION/RESULTS OF PFAB). THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PFAC INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: * ENCOURAGE THAT CARE AT ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER IS PATIENT AND FAMILY CENTERED * BRING PATIENT AND FAMILY NEEDS AND CONCERNS TO THE MEDICAL CENTER'S STAFF AND LEADERSHIP * ENHANCE PATIENT AND FAMILY SATISFACTION * GUIDE THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PRIORITIES AND PLANNING * ADVANCE A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IN AN EFFORT TO FURTHER INTEGRATE THE PATIENT/FAMILY VOICE INSTITUTION-WIDE, A NUMBER OF PATIENT CARE COMMITTEES - ENVIRONMENT OF CARE SAFETY COMMITTEE, PATIENT SAFETY, INFECTION PREVENTION, BRIGHT IDEAS, RE-IGNITING THE SPIRIT OF CARING, PUBLIC SPACE, VALUES RECOGNITION, MOVE TO ImPROVE - WELCOME MEMBERSHIP FROM PFAC. PFAC MEMBERS HAVE INTERACTED WITH STAFF, PATIENTS, AND FAMILIES AT THE FRONT LINE OF SERVICE DELIVERY. ACCOMPLISHMENTS OR NEW PROGRAMS WHERE PFAC PLAYED A ROLE: RETAIL PHARMACY-OPENED AT RECOMMENDATION OF PFAC HAND HYGIENE STATIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN MANY LOCATIONS HANDICAP ACCESS ALONG MAIN ST. ENTRANCE RELATIONSHIP-BASED CARE PARTICIPATION INPUT ON FOOD & NUTRITION MEAL PLANNING/MENU FAMILY ACTIVATED MET CALLS WHITE BOARD IN PATIENT ROOM ENHANCEMENT ROOM SECURITY SAFES STAFF ID BADGE ENHANCEMENT BEDSIDE GUIDES BOOKS FOR KIDS DVD PLAYERS AND DVDS FOR INFUSION CENTER PATIENTS EMERGENCY DEPT. COMFORT CARE CART BACK PACKS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS RESIDENTS THE FOCUS OF PFAC IN RECENT YEARS WAS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES RELATING TO THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE AND WHERE PFAC COULD INJECT THE VOICE OF THE PATIENT AND BE THEIR ADVOCATE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE. FOCUS ALSO WAS ON PROVIDING INPUT AND ADVISEMENT ON THE MANY PROJECTS OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER, INCLUDING THE PATIENT PORTAL AND MEDICATION SIDE EFFECT CARDS. A MEMBER OF PFAC ALSO SITS ON THE NEWLY FORMED CONNECTICUT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION PATIENT AND FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL, A STATEWIDE INITIATIVE TO ELEVATE THE VOICE OF THE PATIENT, SHARE BEST PRACTICES TO ENHANCE PATIENT AND FAMILY EXPERIENCE, AND TO IMPROVE PATIENT EXPERIENCE SCORES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. COLLABORATIVE STATEWIDE INPUT IS THEN SHARED BACK AT THE LOCAL ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER PFAC. OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, PFAC GATHERED DATA TO HELP ACHIEVE THEIR FOCUS. ONE PFAC TEAM DID A THOROUGH ANALYSIS OF PATIENT POSTINGS ON FACEBOOK, GOOGLE AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS. ANOTHER PFAC TEAM RAN TWO VERY SUCCESSFUL PATIENT FOCUS SESSIONS TO SOLICIT REAL TIME INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK FROM RECENT PATIENTS. PATIENT EXPERIENCE DATA AND TOPICS ARE SHARED DURING THE PFAC MONTHLY MEETINGS AND DISCUSSION INCLUDES IDENTIFYING PATIENT EXPERIENCE TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT. PFAC IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING HCAHPS QUIET DOMAIN DATA AND DISCUSSING HOW IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE MADE WITH REGARD TO QUIET TIME THROUGHOUT THE HOSPITAL. IN YEARS PAST, TO RAISE AWARENESS OF PFAC, A COMMUNITY SERVICES EVENT AND A MEDICAL CENTER LOBBY EVENT WERE HELD TO RAISE AWARENESS. AT THE LOBBY EVENT, A RAFFLE WAS HELD TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION. PFAC ESTABLISHED ITS OWN PATIENT AND FAMILY ADVISORY FUND THROUGH THE SVMC FOUNDATION. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS ARE VOTED UPON AT THE COUNCIL MEETINGS AND INTENDED TO DIRECTLY IMPACT THE PATIENTS, FAMILIES, AND VISITORS WE SERVE. IN 2017, PFAC PURCHASED A COMFORT CART FOR USE IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TO COMFORT FAMILY MEMBERS DURING TIMES OF LOSS. PFAC MEMBERS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN A BOOK DRIVE TO PROVIDE BOOKS FOR KIDS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM, PURCHASED DVD PLAYERS AND MOVIES FOR ONCOLOGY PATIENTS, AND HAVE SUPPORTED AND PARTICIPATED IN THE HOSPITAL'S ANNUAL SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND FUNDRAISER EVENT TO RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER PREVENTION AND PATIENT SUPPORT. TWO OF THE PFAC MEMBERS PARTICIPATED AS BOAT CAPTAINS. IN 2018, PFAC PARTICIPATED IN THE ANNUAL PATIENT EXPERIENCE WEEK BY HOSTING A TABLE IN THE CAFETERIA AND SHARING WITH STAFF, PATIENTS, AND VISITORS ABOUT THE MISSION AND FOCUS OF PFAC. ALSO IN 2018, PFAC UPDATED THE ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CEBTER PFAC WEBPAGE, WORKED WITH MARKETING TO UPDATE LOBBY WALL SIGNAGE, AND PURCHASED A NEW PFAC TABLECLOTH TO BE USED AT VARIOUS ATTENDED HOSPITAL EVENTS, INCLUDING THE SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND. A PFAC MEMBER AGAIN PARTICIPATED AS A BOAT CAPTAIN. PFAC MEMBERS HAVE ALSO BEEN FEATURED ON THE ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER FACEBOOK PAGE. SEVERAL GROUPS HAVE PRESENTED AT THE MONTHLY PFAC MEETINGS INCLUDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND ST. VINCENT'S HEALTH PARTNERS. PFAC MEMBERS HAVE ALSO VISITED OUR OFFSITE SPECIAL NEEDS AND ADULT DAYCARE LOCATIONS AND HAVE PURCHASED BACKPACKS FOR OUR SPECIAL NEEDS CLIENTS. PFAC MEMBERS VISITED PATIENTS WITH A PROTOTYPE FOR NEW BEDSIDE GUIDES. THROUGH ONSITE, IN PERSON SURVEYS, PFAC MEMBERS OBTAINED PATIENT INPUT ON THE CONTENT AND DESIGN. THE NEW BEDSIDE GUIDES WERE ASSEMBLED AND DISTRIBUTED BY OUR SPECIAL NEEDS RESIDENTS AND STAFF. THE PFAC HAS ONBOARDED TWO NEW MEMBERS THIS PAST YEAR. PFAC IS PROUD OF ITS CONTRIBUTIONS, INPUT AND SERVICE TO THE PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WE SERVE AND TO OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMUNITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER MISSION AND STATEWIDE PFAC INITIATIVES FOR PATIENT AND FAMILY-CENTERED CARE. FARMERS MARKET SINCE 2009, ST. VINCENT'S HAS OPERATED A FARM STAND IN COLLABORATION WITH THE WHOLESOME WAVE FOUNDATION, MAKING HEALTHFUL LOCALLY GROWN FOOD AVAILABLE TO THOSE IN BRIDGEPORT WHO NEED IT MOST AND TO ST. VINCENT'S EMPLOYEES. THE COLLABORATION HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE TO DOUBLE INCENTIVE COUPONS SUCH AS SNAP AND WIC FOR PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE INCOME THRESHOLD. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING A HEALTHY OPTION FOR ITS OWN EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS AND VISITORS, THE ST. VINCENT'S FARM STAND HANDLED NUMEROUS SNAP (SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM) INCENTIVE TRANSACTIONS. INCENTIVE CUSTOMERS ARE DRAWN DUE TO THE DOUBLING FEATURE AND DUE TO THE MARKET'S LOCATION IN FRONT OF THE HOSPITAL, WHICH MAKES IT EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, A BIG PLUS FOR UNDERSERVED AREA RESIDENTS. TRANSPORTATION NORMALLY POSES A BARRIER FOR SUCH RESIDENTS TO BUY HEALTHY FRESH FOOD. IN 2018, ST. VINCENT'S FARMERS STAND SERVED 23 NEW SNAP CUSTOMERS, AND HANDLED ALMOST $1,000 IN SNAP SALES. THE SAME AMOUNT WAS ALSO DISTRIBUTED IN SNAP INCENTIVES. IN 2017 AND 2018, ST. VINCENT'S PATIENTS AT TWO OF ITS PRACTICES ALSO BENEFITED FROM THE BRIDGEPORT BUCKS PROGRAM, WHICH GAVE A $2 COUPON TO EACH PATIENT TO BE USED AT THE FARMERS MARKET. THE GOAL WAS TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO PATRONIZE THE MARKET AND MAKE GOOD FOOD CHOICES IN ORDER TO STAY HEALTHY AND FIT. ST. VINCENT'S FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTED $5,000 IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS BRIDGEPORT BUCKS DISTRIBUTION AT DESIGNATED PRACTICES A REALITY. THE ST. VINCENT'S STAND IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND OPERATES ONE DAY A WEEK. THE FARM STAND IS ANOTHER WAY IN WHICH ST. VINCENT'S RESPONDED TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT THAT IDENTIFIED OBESITY AND THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF DIABETES AND CARDIAC DISEASE AS MAJOR CHALLENGES IN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA. THE FARM STAND EXTENDS THE SERVICES THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES BEYOND MEDICAL TREATMENT AND MEDICATIONS TO PROVIDING ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION. THIS CAN HELP FIGHT OBESITY AND CHRONIC ILLNESSES SUCH AS DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE AND PROMOTE OVERALL WELLNESS. IT TIES IN WITH THE NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SHIFT TO AN EMPHASIS ON PREVENTION VERSUS MERE TREATMENT OF DISEASE, WHICH TRANSLATES INTO BOTH IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE AND COST SAVINGS FOR RESIDENTS. A ST. VINCENT'S STAFF PERSON SERVES AS THE COORDINATOR OF THE PROGRAM BY ENSURING THE MARKET OPENS ON TIME, HANDLING PUBLICITY, ATTENDING MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS EVEN DURING THE OFF-SEASON, AND PARTICIPATING IN FUNDRAISING AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE BRIDGEPORT FARMERS MARKET COLLABORATIVE. THE FARM STAND IS ANOTHER WAY IN WHICH ST. VINCENT'S DEMONSTRATES ITS MISSION OF CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 5 PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH - PART VII
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BRIDGEPORT BUCKS ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION FUNDED $5,000 IN BRIDGEPORT BUCKS IN FY 2017 THROUGH THE BRIDGEPORT FARMERS MARKET COLLABORATIVE TO BE DISPERSED AT ST. VINCENT'S SITES OF CARE TO WOMEN WHO ARE AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING OR ARE BEING TREATED FOR HEART DISEASE. PATIENTS CAN USE THESE COUPONS AT ANY OF THE SEVEN BRIDGEPORT FARMERS MARKETS TO PURCHASE FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES AS PART OF A HEART-HEALTHY DIET. BY FUNDING BRIDGEPORT BUCKS, ST. VINCENT'S HOPES TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHY, LOCAL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR ALL, REGARDLESS OF INCOME AND SUPPORT THE MISSION OF ITS "WOMEN AT HEART" PROGRAM, WHICH STRIVES TO IMPROVE PATIENTS' ABILITY TO PREVENT DISEASE THROUGH EDUCATION AND PREVENTION. THESE COUPONS ENABLE PHYSICIANS AND NURSES TO ADD A MONETARY INCENTIVE TO SUPPORT THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS ENCOURAGING PATIENTS TO ADOPT HEALTHIER EATING HABITS. PATIENTS RECEIVED TWO $5 COUPONS FOR A TOTAL OF $10 IN BRIDGEPORT BUCKS. FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP), THE BRIDGEPORT FARMERS MARKETS ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE SNAP INCENTIVE PROGRAM, WHICH MATCHES EVERY DOLLAR SWIPED IN SNAP WITH AN ADDITIONAL DOLLAR TOWARDS FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. WHETHER THESE TWO PROGRAMS ARE USED TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY, THEY CAN HELP IMPROVE THE DIETS OF MANY PATIENTS WHO ARE AT RISK. COMFORT SHAWL PROGRAM COMFORT SHAWLS, LAP BLANKETS, AND POCKET SHAWLS ARE GIVEN TO PATIENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE MEDICAL CENTER, EMPLOYEES, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE EXPERIENCING A DIFFICULT TIME AND ARE IN NEED OF COMFORT AND HEALING. THEY PROVIDE EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT TO PATIENTS. THEY MAY ALSO BE GIVEN IN CELEBRATION. THE MANTLES ARE MADE BY VOLUNTEERS FROM AREA CHURCHES AND THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS, BY ST. VINCENT'S STAFF MEMBERS. THE COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE SHAWLS AND THE PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM REQUIRE COORDINATION ON THE PART OF THE HOSPITAL'S MISSION SERVICES AND COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENTS. COORDINATION OF THIS PROGRAM IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ONE STAFF MEMBER WITH ASSISTANCE FROM TWO OTHERS. AN ANNUAL BLESSING CEREMONY FOR ALL SHAWL MAKERS IS HELD ONCE A YEAR WITH REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED BY THE MEDICAL CENTER. IN 2018, HUNDREDS OF SHAWLS WERE DISTRIBUTED MAINLY TO PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WHILE MORE THAN 75 SHAWL MAKERS ATTENDED THE BLESSING CEREMONY IN JUNE. CHAPLAINS AT THE HOSPITAL INCLUDE THE PRESENTATION OF THESE SHAWLS AS PART OF THEIR PASTORAL CARE VISITING. NURSING UNITS ARE SUPPLIED WITH THE SHAWLS AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL ARE VERY INVOLVED WITH PRESENTING THEM TO PATIENTS AND CO-WORKERS IN CRISIS. BLOOD DRIVES ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER HELPS TO SAVE LIVES BY HOSTING BLOOD DRIVES ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS EVERY QUARTER UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE ST. VINCENT'S BLOOD BANK MANAGER. IN FY 2018, A TOTAL OF 200 UNITS OF BLOOD WERE COLLECTED. ST. VINCENT'S DONATES THE TIME OF THE MANAGER WHO COORDINATES THEM, THE MARKETING STAFF WHO EDUCATE THE EMPLOYEES AND PUBLICIZE THE DRIVES AND SUPPLY GIVEAWAYS, AND THE FOOD AND NUTRITION DEPARTMENT WHICH SUPPLIES COMPLIMENTARY FOOD. ST. VINCENT'S ALSO SUPPORTS THE DRIVES BY ALLOWING EMPLOYEES TO DONATE BLOOD AS PART OF THEIR WORK DAY. DONATION DRIVES HOUSE OF HOPE: STARTING IN 2011, ST. VINCENT'S MISSION SERVICES COMMITTEE AND AQUARION WATER COMPANY, BEGAN ANNUALLY COLLABORATING ON A PROJECT CALLED THE HOUSE OF HOPE FOOD DRIVE, TO ASSIST AREA FOOD BANKS AND SHELTERS EXPERIENCING SEVERE SHORTAGES. A SHED DECORATED TO LOOK LIKE A HOUSE IS LOCATED OUTSIDE ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER WHERE THE FOOD IS COLLECTED. A ST. VINCENT'S MANAGER CHAIRED THE ANNUAL HOUSE OF HOPE FOOD DRIVE, SPENDING 1.5 HOURS A DAY FOR 8 WEEKS COORDINATING IT. WORK INCLUDED HANGING POSTERS, COORDINATING VOLUNTEER SCHEDULES, PICKING UP ITEMS FROM VARIOUS AFFILIATES, AS WELL AS MEDICAL CENTER OFF SITE LOCATIONS, AND DELIVERING COLLECTIONS TO FIVE FOOD PANTRIES FOR THE NEEDY. ANOTHER EMPLOYEE ALSO ASSISTED BY DELIVERING COLLECTION BOXES TO EACH FLOOR AND MANNING THE BOOTH OUTSIDE NEAR THE HOUSE OF HOPE. APPROXIMATELY 15 STAFF MEMBERS EACH GAVE ONE HOUR TO STAFF THE BOOTH. ST. VINCENT'S COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR SERVED AS LIAISON BETWEEN CO-SPONSORS ST. VINCENT'S AND AQUARION WATER COMPANY. THE COORDINATOR ALSO ARRANGED MEETINGS, HANDLED RECIPIENT COMMUNICATIONS, ARRANGED FOR THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO SET UP AND LATER REMOVE THE COLLECTION SHED, COORDINATED THE KICKOFF EVENT, AND HANDED SCHEDULES AND PUBLICITY, AMONG OTHER THINGS. ST. VINCENT'S ALSO PAID ABOUT $450 FOR PRINTING FLYERS AND BANNER ADDITIONS. DRIVE RUNS EVERY YEAR FROM MID-SEPTEMBER TO JUST BEFORE THANKSGIVING. FOOD WAS DELIVERED BY ST. VINCENT'S TO AREA FOOD BANKS AND SHELTERS. AFTER CONTRIBUTIONS FROM BIG Y AND FROM INDIVIDUALS, THE DRIVE REACHED ITS GOAL BY DISTRIBUTING 7 TONS OF FOOD. IN PAST YEARS, THE HOUSE OF HOPE ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO HOMELESS SHELTERS 125 TURKEYS FROM AN AREA SUPERMARKET CHAIN AND 125 BINS OF FOOD FROM A PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION CALLED AL'S ANGELS. THE DRIVE ORIGINATED AS A RESPONSE TO THE NEEDS OF THE UNDERSERVED IN THE COMMUNITY BY HELPING TO STOCK AREA FOOD BANKS AND SHELTERS WITH READILY ACCESSIBLE FOODSTUFFS WITH AN EMPHASIS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS ON HEALTHY FOODS. HOLIDAY GIVING: AT CHRISTMAS TIME, A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS ALSO ADOPTED FAMILIES AT ST. VINCENT'S FAMILY HEALTH CENTER AND MET THEIR NEEDS FOR HOLIDAY MEALS AND GIFTS. IN ADDITION, FOR MANY YEARS, THE HOSPITAL HAS RUN A GIVING TREE WHICH PURCHASES GIFTS OF TOYS AND CLOTHING FOR PATIENTS IN NEED AND CLIENTS AT ITS FAMILY HEALTH CENTER, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND ST. VINCENT'S SPECIAL NEEDS CENTER. TOILETRIES: IN SPRING 2015, ST. VINCENT'S UNDERTOOK A TOILETRIES DRIVE WHICH CONTINUES TO RUN ALL YEAR LONG. IN FY 2018, SEVERAL BOXES OF NEW TOILETRIES WERE COLLECTED FROM STAFF MEMBERS AND DELIVERED TO THE MERTON CENTER SOUP KITCHEN, THE BRIDGEPORT RESCUE MISSION HOMELESS SHELTER, AND THE CENTER FOR FAMILY JUSTICE WHICH OFFERS SERVICES TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE. THESE DONATION DRIVES ALL REQUIRE MANY RESOURCES AND HOURS OF TIME TO COORDINATE AND PUBLICIZE ON THE PART OF ST. VINCENT'S STAFF IN ORDER TO MAKE THEM SUCCESSFUL AND OF BENEFIT TO PATIENTS AND VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. STOP THE BLEED ST. VINCENT'S TRAUMA COORDINATOR AND EMS COORDINATOR HAVE IMPLEMENTED A COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROTOCOL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS WHICH ATTEMPTS TO ENHANCE SURVIVABILITY FROM ACTIVE SHOOTER AND INTENTIONAL MASS CASUALTY EVENT. IT IS CALLED "STOP THE BLEED." DURING A ONE-HOUR TRAINING, THE COORDINATORS TEACH STAFF AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THE BASIC TECHNIQUES OF BLEEDING CONTROL. THE PROGRAM WAS LAUNCHED IN 2018 WITH ONE PRESENTATION, REACHING 21 INDIVIDUALS. THE COORDINATORS ARE PLANNING TO BRING THE PROGRAM OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND OTHER PLACES IN 2019. THEY ALSO ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRAINING MORE STAFF MEMBERS TO BRING THIS PROGRAM OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 5 PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH- PART VIII
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TRAUMA EDUCATION ON DRINKING AND DRIVING AND TEEN VIOLENCE ST. VINCENT'S TEDD-TV PROGRAM (TRAUMA EDUCATION ON DRINKING AND DRIVING AND TEEN VIOLENCE), IS GEARED FOR STUDENTS 14 TO 19 YEARS OLD, AND GRAPHICALLY DEMONSTRATES TO TEENS THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRINKING AND DRIVING AND OF OTHER VIOLENT BEHAVIORS. A GROUP OF 20-25 STUDENTS FROM AREA SCHOOLS WITNESS FIRSTHAND THE AFTERMATH IN THE HOSPITAL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH CAUSED BY DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, AND A DEPICTION OF BOTH THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL PAIN AND SUFFERING, WHICH RESULTS FROM SUCH A TRAGEDY. THE PROGRAM WAS REINSTATED IN 2018 AFTER BEING PUT ON HOLD DUE TO PERSONNEL CHANGES A FEW YEARS AGO. AN INITIAL GROUP OF 25 STUDENTS ATTENDED. THE COMMITTEE HOPES TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM IN 2019 TO ALLOW MORE AREA STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE AND LEARN ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPULSIVE AND RISKY BEHAVIOR. A COMMITTEE OF ABOUT 25 HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AT ST. VINCENT'S INCLUDING PHYSICIANS, SURGEONS, NURSES, SOCIAL WORKERS, OPERATING ROOM TECHNICIANS, CHAPLAINS AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME FOR THE MOCK TRAUMA, WHICH ORIGINATED IN 1998. THE PROGRAM IS ORGANIZED BY THE ST. VINCENT'S TRAUMA COORDINATOR. BACK IN 1998, AFTER INVESTIGATING OTHER VIOLENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGH A STATE TRAUMA COORDINATORS GROUP, THE COMMITTEE CREATED THEIR OWN UNIQUE VERSION OF THE MOCK TRAUMA, WHICH IS GREATER IN SCOPE. THE PROGRAM BEGINS WITH AN EMOTIONAL SCENE DEPICTING A PHYSICIAN, A CHAPLAIN, AND A SOCIAL WORKER TALKING WITH THE PARENTS OF A TEEN ACCIDENT VICTIM, WHO HAS JUST DIED. IT THEN RETRACES THE STEPS OF THE ORDEAL: THE TEEN'S ARRIVAL AT THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE STUDENTS GET A CLOSE-UP LOOK AT THE PATIENT WHO IS BLEEDING AND IN PAIN; THE TRANSFER TO THE OPERATING ROOM WHERE THE STUDENTS DON GOWNS AND MASKS AND WATCH THE SURGICAL TEAM WORK TO SAVE A LIFE; AND THEY THEN MOVE TO THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT WHERE THE PATIENT IS CONNECTED TO MANY TUBES AND MACHINES. PROPS SUCH AS MANNEQUINS, SIMULATED BLOOD, "BODY PARTS" WHICH INCLUDE COW HEART AND KIDNEYS, ARE USED ALONG WITH REAL INSTRUMENTATION. THE TRAUMA CONCLUDES WITH A PRESENTATION WHERE STUDENTS VIEW GRAPHIC PHOTOS OF REAL ACCIDENT VICTIMS AND VIOLENCE, HEAR A TALK BY A POLICE OFFICER ABOUT THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF IMPAIRED DRIVING THAT CAN IMPACT THEIR FUTURE, AND FINALLY, HEAR THE STORY AND PERSONAL APPEAL FROM AN INDIVIDUAL IMPACTED BY A DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT. EDUCATIONAL/CAREER PROGRAMS OFFERED TO AREA STUDENTS ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER CONDUCTS STUDENT TOURS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, HIGH SCHOOL, AND SOMETIMES COLLEGE STUDENTS IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY, LESSEN ANXIETY ABOUT HOSPITAL VISITS, AND GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF MEDICAL CAREERS. THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE OF SEEING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AT WORK IN THE HOSPITAL, STUDENTS CAN ENVISION THEMSELVES IN THESE ROLES. THEY ALSO LEARN ABOUT NECESSARY EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS, AND PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH A CLOSE-UP, HANDS-ON APPROACH. THE PERSONAL STORIES OF HOW INDIVIDUALS FOLLOWED DIFFERENT PATHS AND DISCOVERED REWARDING CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE ARE INSPIRATIONAL AND MOTIVATIONAL FOR MANY STUDENTS AS WELL. THESE PROGRAMS VARY IN LENGTH RUNNING FROM 2-6 HOURS WITH STAFF FROM MANY DEPARTMENTS TAKING TIME OUT FROM THEIR BUSY WORK DAY TO PARTICIPATE. THE NUMBER OF GROUPS VISITING THE MEDICAL CENTER FOR THE HEALTHCARE CAREER TOUR AVERAGES ABOUT 25-30 ANNUALLY. ST. VINCENT'S FOCUSES ON INNER CITY STUDENTS FROM BRIDGEPORT AND STUDENTS FROM STRATFORD AND ALSO HAS A WELL-DEVELOPED PROGRAM WITH TRUMBULL HIGH SCHOOL. STUDENTS FROM THROUGHOUT FAIRFIELD COUNTY ARE ALSO ACCOMMODATED. STUDENTS COME FROM PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS, AND ALSO INCLUDE THE HANDICAPPED AND MENTALLY DISABLED. ST. VINCENT'S HAS FORMED COLLABORATIONS WITH A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE WORKING WITH BRIDGEPORT YOUTH, SUCH AS PROJECT GEARUP, OUT OF YALE UNIVERSITY, AND BASE CAMP, A PROGRAM OF THE SOUTHWESTERN AHEC (AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER) WHICH IS FOR BRIDGEPORT HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS INTERESTED IN STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH). SVMC OFTEN HOSTS GROUPS OF STUDENTS FROM THESE PROGRAMS. DURING FY 18, ALMOST 300 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THESE PROGRAMS. STAFF MEMBERS GAVE MANY HOURS OF THEIR TIME TO COORDINATE THE PROGRAMS AND EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT THE WORK THEY DO. VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEERS ARE AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT TO FULFILLING THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION. IN FY 2018, THERE WERE 189 VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDED THE MEDICAL CENTER WITH MORE THAN 28,000 HOURS OF SERVICE. THESE VOLUNTEERS WORK THROUGHOUT THE MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDING SUPPORT TO PATIENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF IN VARIOUS ROLES AND DURING MULTIPLE HOSPITAL SPONSORED EVENTS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2019, VOLUNTEER SERVICES' FOCUS STRATEGY IS ON ENHANCING THE PATIENT/VISITOR EXPERIENCE AND EXPANDING PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE THE PATIENT AND FAMILY CENTERED CARE. ADDITIONALLY, WE WILL CONTINUE THE ONGOING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS THROUGH OUR COLLABORATION PROGRAMS AND JOB SHADOWING OPPORTUNITIES. HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER REINSTITUTED ITS FREE PROGRAM OF HEALTH INSURANCE AND MEDICARE INFORMATION COUNSELING TO THE PUBLIC IN OCTOBER 2016, USING A VOLUNTEER EXPERT IN THE FIELD. THE VOLUNTEER ANSWERS QUESTIONS REGARDING MEDICARE BENEFITS, MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS, MANAGED CARE AND PRESCRIPTION PLANS, APPEALS, CLAIMS, MEDICAL BILLS, COVERED VERSUS NON-COVERED EXPENSES, ADVANCED DIRECTIVES, AND ASSISTED LIVING AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES. THE VOLUNTEER ALSO ASSISTS INDIVIDUALS IN FILING MEDICARE AND INSURANCE FORMS. THE PROGRAM IS A COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORT BY ST. VINCENT'S TO HELP SENIORS OBTAIN THE MEDICAL BENEFITS THEY NEED, AND TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE. APPROXIMATELY, FIVE HOURS WERE SPENT LAST YEAR BY STAFF COORDINATING WITH THE COUNSELING VOLUNTEER ON THIS PROGRAM. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ST. VINCENT'S SERVES THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS OF THE PSA THROUGH BOTH IN-PATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES, PROVIDED BY ST. VINCENT'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, A DEPARTMENT OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER. ST. VINCENT'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES OFFERS THE COMMUNITY'S LARGEST CONTINUUM OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. THE MISSION OF ST. VINCENT'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES IS TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL CARE FOR THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT THROUGH AN INTEGRATED CONTINUUM OF MENTAL HEALTH, DUAL-DIAGNOSIS, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND ADULTS OF ALL INCOME LEVELS AND ETHNICITIES, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. ST. VINCENT'S STRIVES TO FULFILL THIS MISSION BY EFFECTIVELY ADDRESSING THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND ALSO STRIVES TO BE A LEADER IN PREVENTION AND EDUCATION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DUAL DIAGNOSIS (MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS) ISSUES. IN ADDITION, SINCE 2003, ST. VINCENT'S HAS OFFERED COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE COMMUNITY DESIGNED TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND PROVIDE RESOURCES ON A FULL SPECTRUM OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES. ST. VINCENT'S CONTINUUM OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDES A DEDICATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EMERGENCY AREA, 92 INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC BEDS LOCATED IN TWO CAMPUSES (16 BEDS - MAIN CAMPUS IN BRIDGEPORT AND 76 BEDS-WESTPORT, CT CAMPUS) WHICH OPERATED AT APPROXIMATELY 90% OCCUPANCY; TWO OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS THAT PROVIDE AN INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM AND INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPIES; INCLUDING A DEDICATED INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT SERVICE FOR PERSONS OF LATINO DECENT. OUTPATIENT SERVICES PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 20,000 VISITS WITH 92 % OF THOSE SERVED BEING THE UNDERSERVED AND INDIGENT. RESIDENTIAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES ST. VINCENT'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES ALSO OPERATES THE COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO PERSONS AGE 18 AND OVER WHO ARE CHRONICALLY AND EPISODICALLY HOMELESS WITH SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AND HAVE INCOMES AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. INTERVENTIONS AND SERVICES ARE FOCUSED ON RECOVERY, RELAPSE PREVENTION, DEVELOPMENT OF INDEPENDENCE, ASSISTANCE WITH ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING, ILLNESS SELF-MANAGEMENT, AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE BENEFITS, CRISIS INTERVENTION, ACCESS TO COMMUNITY MAINSTREAM SERVICES, AND 24 HOUR EMERGENCY ON-CALL SERVICES. THE PROGRAM OPERATES 9 SHARED LIVING RESIDENTIAL SITES, 8 FAMILY UNITS, AND 65 SCATTERED SITE APARTMENTS IN THE COMMUNITIES OF NORWALK, BRIDGEPORT, AND FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT. BASED UPON 95% OCCUPANCY AT THESE SITES, COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 44,750 DAYS OF RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT/HOUSING SERVICES. GRANTS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THESE PROGRAMS.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 5 PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH-PART IX
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GOVERNING BODY THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS FOR ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER AND ITS AFFILIATES ARE PRIMARILY COMPRISED OF VOLUNTEERS WHO GENEROUSLY SHARE THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF EACH ENTITY. MEDICAL STAFF PRIVILEGES ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER EXTENDS MEDICAL STAFF PRIVILEGES TO ALL QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS IN ITS COMMUNITY FOR ITS DEPARTMENTS OR SPECIALTIES.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 6 AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM-PART I
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ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER IS A NONPROFIT HOSPITAL SYSTEM. THE SOLE MEMBER OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER IS ASCENSION HEALTH, A CATHOLIC, NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER CONSISTS OF AN ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL LOCATED IN BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT AND A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOSPITAL LOCATED IN WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT. FOUNDED IN 1903, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER STARTED AS A 75 BED INSTITUTION AND QUICKLY GREW IN SCOPE AND SERVICE. THE MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES CARE FOR ALL OF THOSE IN THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES WHO COME TO IT, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. TODAY, THE MEDICAL CENTER IS LOCATED IN A MODERN 10 STORY BUILDING AND HAS GROWN TO A 473 BED INSTITUTION. THE MEDICAL CENTER IS FAIRFIELD COUNTY'S ONLY FAITH-BASED HOSPITAL AND ITS COMMITMENT TO THE POOR AND UNDERSERVED REMAIN CENTRAL TO ITS MISSION. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER AND ITS AFFILIATED ENTITIES - ST. VINCENT'S HEALTH SERVICES, ST. VINCENT'S MULTISPECIALTY GROUP, INC., ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION, INC., ST. VINCENT'S COLLEGE, INC., ST. VINCENT'S SPECIAL NEEDS CENTER, INC., AND ST. VINCENT'S DEVELOPMENT, INC. - FORM AN INTEGRATED HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM MEETING THE COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS OF BRIDGEPORT AND ITS SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. THROUGH THE WORK OF THE MEDICAL CENTER, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR AFFILIATE NETWORK, THE MEDICAL CENTER AND ITS AFFILIATES ARE ABLE TO MEET THE COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS OF THEIR HOME COMMUNITY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. ST. VINCENT'S HEALTH SERVICES (HEALTH SERVICES) ST. VINCENT'S HEALTH SERVICES (HEALTH SERVICES), FORMERLY THE PARENT COMPANY OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER, IS A NONPROFIT HOLDING COMPANY. HEALTH SERVICES CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS - ST. VINCENT'S FOUNDATION, ST. VINCENT'S SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICES, ST. VINCENT'S DEVELOPMENT, INC., AND VINCENTURES, WHICH IS AN INACTIVE CORPORATION. ST. VINCENT'S MULTISPECIALTY GROUP (MSG) ST. VINCENT'S MULTISPECIALTY GROUP (MSG) IS A SUBSIDIARY OF THE MEDICAL CENTER. CURRENTLY THERE ARE 33 FULL TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE) PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS INCLUDING APRNS AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS THAT ARE EMPLOYED THROUGH THE MSG, AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROVIDERS, INCLUDING SPECIALTY PRACTICE PHYSICIANS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS, BOARD CERTIFIED WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPECIALTIES, IS 195 FTE'S. THE GROUP IS ONE OF THE LARGEST PROVIDER NETWORKS WITHIN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. THE SIZE OF THE NETWORK ENABLES US TO OFFER THE COMMUNITY EXPANDED ACCESS AND COORDINATION OF CARE. HOWEVER, THE SINGULAR FOCUS OF PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO HEALTH CARE IS SOLELY DEDICATED TO A PATIENT'S INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION AS A PHILANTHROPIC ARM, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION'S (THE FOUNDATION) PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO RAISE FUNDS IN ORDER TO HELP MEET CERTAIN FINANCIAL NEEDS OF THE ST. VINCENT'S HEALTH SERVICES CORPORATION. THE FOUNDATION'S GOAL IS TO CREATE AND PERPETUATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ON BEHALF OF ST. VINCENT'S HISTORIC MISSION TO SERVE THE POOR AND MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS. THE GROWING SUPPORT FOR ST. VINCENT'S THROUGHOUT THE REGION IS A REFLECTION OF OUR MISSION-DRIVEN PROGRAMS AND THE QUALITY OF OUR SERVICES. THE FOUNDATION WORKS TIRELESSLY TO RAISE NEARLY $2 MILLION A YEAR FOR ITS SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND CANCER CHARITY THROUGH ALMOST 20 FUNDRAISING EVENTS ANNUALLY TO REACH PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO CRITICAL SCREENING SERVICES, AND TO PROVIDE FREE OR SUBSIDIZED SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. IT ALSO RAISES MORE THAN $500,000 A YEAR IN SUPPORT OF THE OTHER ENTITIES. SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND CANCER CHARITY THE FOUNDATION WORKS EXTREMELY HARD YEAR-ROUND AND THE SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND HAS DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSE OF SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH CANCER SINCE 1987. NEIGHBORING HOSPITALS, WHICH DO NOT CONDUCT AS EXTENSIVE A FUNDRAISING EFFORT FOR PATIENT CARE AS ST. VINCENT'S, ROUTINELY SEND PATIENTS TO ST. VINCENT'S WHEN THEIR GRANT MONEY ENDS, OR WHEN THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO PAY FOR FREE CARE. ST. VINCENT'S PROVIDES A SUBSTANTIAL SAFETY NET TO THE REGION, AS YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A PATIENT AT ST. VINCENT'S TO BE HELPED BY THE SWIM. THE SWIM OFFERS 44 UNIQUE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES RANGING FROM CANCER EDUCATION, SUPPORT, AND SCREENING - FROM PREVENTION TO SURVIVORSHIP. ST. VINCENT'S MISSION TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY CAN MOST POIGNANTLY BE OBSERVED IN THEIR ONE-ON-ONE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, FUNDED AND OPERATED BY THE FOUNDATION. OFTEN A DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER CAN BE FINANCIALLY DEVASTATING TO THE PATIENT AND HER/HIS FAMILY. WE STEP IN WHEN A PATIENT IS UNDERGOING TREATMENT TO RELIEVE FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS. ASSISTANCE IS THERE AS A SAFETY NET FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN. THE SWIM'S ONE-ON-ONE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HELPS TO PAY UTILITY BILLS, CAR PAYMENTS, AND RENT/MORTGAGE PAYMENTS SO A FAMILY MEMBER CAN TAKE TIME OFF FROM WORK TO BE WITH THEIR LOVED ONE WHEN IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO BE AT THEIR SIDE. THE ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION PROVIDES ONE OF THE LARGEST FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR CANCER PATIENTS IN THE COUNTRY. FINANCIAL SITUATIONS OF APPLICANTS ARE REVIEWED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS TO PROVIDE AN EQUITABLE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE. IN FY 18, APPROXIMATELY 261 PEOPLE RECEIVED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOTALING $396,474 THROUGH ST. VINCENT'S SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND CANCER CHARITY. AS STATED ELSEWHERE, THIS AMOUNT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE VALUE OF THE SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGH THE SWIM. THE SWIM IS THERE FOR THE PATIENT WHO IS UNDERGOING LOCAL RADIATION AND IS EXPERIENCING SOME SKIN REACTIONS AND REQUIRES A SPECIAL PRESCRIPTION THAT IS NOT COVERED BY THEIR INSURANCE. THE SWIM IS THERE FOR THE WOMAN WHO NEEDS A WIG AND PROSTHESES. THE SWIM IS THERE FOR THE FAMILY THAT NEEDS FAMILY COUNSELING BECAUSE THERE ARE SMALL CHILDREN LEFT MOTHERLESS AND THEY NEED EXTRA ASSISTANCE IN PICKING UP THE PIECES AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THEIR OWN LIVES. THE SWIM IS THERE TO PAY TRANSPORTATION COSTS TO GET TO APPOINTMENTS AND TO SUPPORT A PATIENT WITH NUTRITIONAL AND EXERCISE COUNSELING. THE SWIM ALSO FUNDS SUPPORT GROUPS AND SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAMS THAT HELP PATIENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS DEAL WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER, OFFERING HOPE, INFORMATION, FINANCIAL SUPPORT, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SERVICES. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 2,067 UTILIZATIONS OF ONCOLOGY SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAMS BY CANCER PATIENTS THROUGH THE SWIM LAST YEAR. WITH EVER GROWING NEEDS BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN AND LACK OF HEALTH CARE ACCESS, THERE ARE MORE AND MORE WOMEN IN NEED OF CANCER HEALTH CARE WITHIN OUR SERVICE AREA THAN EVER. FREQUENTLY PATIENTS ARE REFERRED FROM SURROUNDING HOSPITALS TO ST. VINCENT'S SWIM CANCER SERVICES. RECENTLY WE HAVE ALSO RECEIVED NUMEROUS REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE BEYOND OUR TRADITIONAL SERVICE AREA.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 6 AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM-PART II
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SMOKESTOPPERS AS PART OF ST. VINCENT'S MISSION TO REDUCE AND PREVENT CANCER, ST. VINCENT'S FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED THE ST. VINCENT'S SWIM SMOKESTOPPERS PROGRAM IN MARCH OF 1996. SMOKESTOPPERS IS A UNIQUE AND INTERACTIVE TOBACCO PREVENTION AND SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. THE SWIM SMOKESTOPPERS OFFERS A LIVELY AND INSPIRING PROGRAM THAT EDUCATES CONNECTICUT'S YOUNG PEOPLE, AT NO COST TO THEM, ABOUT THE DANGERS OF SMOKING AND THE USE OF SO-CALLED "SMOKELESS" TOBACCO OR VAPING. SMOKESTOPPERS CURRENTLY COMBINES TWO KINDS OF COURSES, OFFERED FREE TO THE COMMUNITY: (1) PREVENTION CLASSES FOR STUDENTS WHO DO NOT YET SMOKE AND (2) CESSATION CLASSES TO HELP TEENS WHO ARE ALREADY SMOKING TO TAKE THE DIFFICULT STEP OF QUITTING. PROGRAM PRESENTERS ARE FORMER SMOKERS, WHO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES IN A RELEVANT, ACCESSIBLE WAY. THE PROGRAM HAS A PROVEN RECORD OF HELPING THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, AND IS CONSISTENTLY INVITED BACK TO SCHOOLS YEAR AFTER YEAR. IN THE 22 YEARS SINCE ITS INCEPTION, OUR SMOKESTOPPERS PROGRAM HAS REACHED ALMOST 250, 000 YOUNG PEOPLE IN 200 SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. PRESENTERS RESEARCH CURRENT TRENDS IN YOUTH TOBACCO USE, NEW PRODUCTS, AND NEW MARKETING STRATEGIES USED BY THE TOBACCO COMPANIES TO TARGET YOUNG PEOPLE. THIS RESEARCH IS INTEGRATED INTO THE PRESENTATION, CREATING AN UPDATED, RELEVANT PROGRAM FOR EACH AND EVERY SESSION. LAST YEAR, ALMOST 20,000 STUDENTS RECEIVED THIS PREVENTION EDUCATION THROUGH THE SMOKESTOPPERS PROGRAM. THE INTRODUCTION OF E-CIGARETTES IN 2004 HAS GREATLY IMPACTED THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY, AND IN TURN, OUR YOUTH. A PRIMARY FOCUS FOR SMOKESTOPPERS NOW IS TO DEMONSTRATE TO STUDENTS THE DANGERS AND POTENTIAL LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF USING THESE PRODUCTS, WHICH ARE NOT REGULATED BY THE FDA. IN 2018, PBS AIRED A SEGMENT ON THE SMOKESTOPPERS PROGRAM WHICH FOLLOWED STUDENTS AT JONATHAN LAW HIGH SCHOOL IN MILFORD, CONNECTICUT. AFTER IT AIRED, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA REACHED OUT TO SMOKESTOPPERS FOR ASSISTANCE IN DEVELOPING SIMILAR PROGRAMS FOR THEIR OWN SCHOOL SYSTEMS. SMOKESTOPPERS HAS ALSO WORKED WITH A PRODUCTION COMPANY HERE IN CONNECTICUT TO CREATE INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS AND DVDS ON SMOKING, CHEWING TOBACCO AND VAPING. THESE VIDEOS ARE NOW BEING USED BY HEALTH PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE. COLLABORATION TO QUIT: IN AN EFFORT TO JOIN FORCES TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, SMOKESTOPPERS IS NOW A MEMBER OF THE GET HEALTHY CT HEALTHY LIFESTYLES TASK FORCE. GET HEALTHY CT IS A SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT COALITION DEDICATED TO PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. MEMORIAL SERVICE THE SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND HOSTS AN ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THOSE LOST TO CANCER IN THE COMMUNITY. FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS MAY ATTEND EVEN IF THE PERSON WAS NOT TREATED AT ST. VINCENT'S. THE COST IS PICKED UP BY THE SWIM. THE FREE EVENT PROVIDES HEALING TO THOSE WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES TO CANCER, AND DRAWS BETWEEN 250-350 PEOPLE EACH YEAR, WITH EACH PERSON RECEIVING A SMALL REMEMBRANCE OF THE DAY. THE EVENT IS NOW IN ITS 22ND YEAR. ST. VINCENT'S COLLEGE IN JULY 2018, THE OWNERSHIP OF ST. VINCENT'S COLLEGE (THE COLLEGE), A NONPROFIT SUBSIDIARY OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER, TRANSITIONED TO SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY. ST. VINCENT'S COLLEGE HAD BEEN THE ONLY COLLEGE IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT COMMITTED SOLELY TO THE PREPARATION OF NURSES AND ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. AS A SINGLE PURPOSE INSTITUTION, THE COLLEGE FOCUSED SOLELY ON EDUCATING STUDENTS FOR THE HEALTHCARE MINISTRY AT THE CERTIFICATE, ASSOCIATE, AND BACHELOR DEGREE LEVELS. FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, ST. VINCENT'S COLLEGE HAD PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SERVING THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. THE COLLEGE FOCUSED ON EDUCATING HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS FOR CURRENT AND EMERGING ROLES IN RESPONSE TO THE CHANGING HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE. INCREASING NUMBERS OF BSN PREPARED NURSES ALSO SUPPORT HOSPITALS IN THE ATTAINMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF NURSING MAGNET RECOGNITION, THE HIGHEST NATIONAL HONOR FOR NURSING EXCELLENCE. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER IS A DESIGNATED MAGNET HOSPITAL. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE COLLEGE'S GRADUATES HAVE SOUGHT AND FOUND JOBS IN THE FAIRFIELD AND NEW HAVEN COUNTY AREAS OF THE STATE. FUTURE GRADUATES ARE EXPECTED TO DO THE SAME. ST. VINCENT'S SPECIAL NEEDS- ST. VINCENT'S SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICES (SVSNS), IS A HUMAN SERVICES ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION "TO FOSTER THE PHYSICAL, EDUCATIONAL, SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SO THEY MAY PLAY, LEARN, WORK AND LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY." SVSNS BEGAN IN 1955 WHEN THE ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED AS A UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY CLINIC TO PROVIDE MEDICAL EVALUATION AND THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. SEVERAL YEARS LATER A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED AND LICENSED BY THE CONNECTICUT STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. A PRIVATE SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL, THE FEROLETO CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT CENTER BASED IN TRUMBULL, CT, IS AN ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT OPTION FOR CHILDREN, AGES 3-21, WITH MULTIPLE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS AND STUDENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS. PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH/LANGUAGE AND AQUATIC THERAPY ARE ALL OFFERED AS PART OF EACH STUDENT'S INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN. DURING THEIR FISCAL YEAR 2018, THE SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 81 STUDENTS FROM 28 TOWNS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. DAYTIME RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS, SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT, AND WORK SERVICES PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AND COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS ARE OFFERED AT THE STRATFORD CAMPUS. IN 2018, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED DAYTIME PROGRAMS FOR 130 ADULTS FROM ITS STRATFORD CAMPUS. IN ADDITION, SVSNS OPERATES 10 GROUP HOMES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN TRUMBULL, STRATFORD, MONROE, BRIDGEPORT, NEWTOWN, AND SHELTON. PARENT EDUCATION AND TRANSITION SUPPORT SERVICES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. THE STAFF INCLUDES SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND ASSISTANTS, PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS, REGISTERED NURSES, LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES, DIRECT CARE COUNSELORS, JOB COACHES, AND COMMUNITY RECREATION AND FAMILY SUPPORT FACILITATORS. ST. VINCENT'S DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ST. VINCENT'S DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION MANAGING VARIOUS REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS WITHIN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA.
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Schedule H, Part I, Line 7g Subsidized Health Services
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THE ORGANIZATION EMPLOYS ITS PHYSICIANS AT PHYSICIAN CLINICS, SO THE ASSOCIATED COSTS AND CHARGES RELATING TO THOSE PHYSICIAN SERVICES ARE INCLUDED IN ALL RELEVANT CATEGORIES IN PART I.
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Schedule H, Part I, Line 7 Costing Methodology used to calculate financial assistance
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THE COST OF PROVIDING CHARITY CARE, MEANS-TESTED GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS IS ESTIMATED USING INTERNAL COST DATA, AND IS CALCULATED IN COMPLIANCE WITH CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION ("CHA") GUIDELINES. THE ORGANIZATION USES A COST ACCOUNTING SYSTEM THAT ADDRESSES ALL PATIENT SEGMENTS (FOR EXAMPLE, INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT, EMERGENCY ROOM, PRIVATE INSURANCE, MEDICAID, MEDICARE, UNINSURED, OR SELF PAY). A cost accounting system was used to calculate all data reported in the table.
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Schedule H, Part II Community Building Activities
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THE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES LISTED ON FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART II INCLUDE THE SWIM MEMORIAL SERVICE, AREA SCHOOL TOURS AND JOB SHADOWING, FREE MEDICARE COUNSELING, THE PARISH NURSE PROGRAM, AND VARIOUS OTHER ACTIVITIES WHERE ST. VINCENT'S EMPLOYEES SERVE IN THE NAME OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER CONDUCTS STUDENT TOURS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, HIGH SCHOOL, AND, SOMETIMES, COLLEGE STUDENTS IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF MEDICAL CAREERS. THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE OF SEEING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AT WORK IN THE HOSPITAL, STUDENTS CAN ENVISION THEMSELVES IN THESE ROLES. THEY ALSO LEARN ABOUT NECESSARY EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS, AND PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH A CLOSE-UP, HANDS-ON APPROACH. THE PARISH NURSE PROGRAM IS A BROAD REACHING PARTNERSHIP WITH 78 CHURCHES OF ALL FAITHS IN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA AND ALL OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY SUPPORTING NURSES IN THEIR FAITH COMMUNITIES THROUGH COLLABORATION AND NETWORKING. THROUGH THE PROGRAM, OUR NURSES PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, HEALTH SCREENINGS, REFERRALS, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT TO THE PARISHIONERS OF THE CHURCHES. AREA VOLUNTEERS AND EMPLOYEES ASSIST WITH THE SWIM MEMORIAL SERVICE WHICH IS AN INTERFAITH SERVICE OPEN TO ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE TO CANCER. IT PROVIDES A MEANS OF HEALING FROM THE LOSS OF THEIR LOVED ONE. AREA VOLUNTEERS ALSO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING FREE COUNSELING TO HELP WITH THEIR QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICARE. WITH THE AGING POPULATION OF THE AREA, THIS SERVICE PROVIDES MUCH ASSISTANCE. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER ALSO HAS VERY DEDICATED EMPLOYEES WHO PROVIDE A GREAT DEAL OF SERVICE TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN THE NAME OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER. THEY SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY BEING ON THE BOARDS OR ON THE COMMITTEES OF OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. THEY PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE LOCAL SOUP KITCHEN AND TO AREA CHURCHES. THIS HELPS IN DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS, BUSINESSES, AND CLUBS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. IN ALL OF THESE WAYS, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER HELPS TO BUILD OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.
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Schedule H, Part III, Line 2 Bad debt expense - methodology used to estimate amount
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After satisfaction of amounts due from insurance and reasonable efforts to collect from the patient have been exhausted, the Corporation follows established guidelines for placing certain past-due patient balances within collection agencies, subject to the terms of certain restrictions on collection efforts as determined by Ascension Health. Accounts receivable are written off after collection efforts have been followed in accordance with the Corporation's policies. After applying the cost-to-charge ratio, the share of the bad debt expense in fiscal year 2018 was $23,252,100 at charges, ($7,130,409 at cost).
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Schedule H, Part III, Line 3 Bad Debt Expense Methodology
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THE PROVISION FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS IS BASED UPON MANAGEMENT'S ASSESSMENT OF EXPECTED NET COLLECTIONS CONSIDERING HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE, ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, TRENDS IN HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, AND OTHER COLLECTION INDICATORS. PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, MANAGEMENT ASSESSES THE ADEQUACY OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS BASED UPON HISTORICAL WRITE-OFF EXPERIENCE BY PAYOR CATEGORY, INCLUDING THOSE AMOUNTS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE. THE RESULTS OF THIS REVIEW ARE THEN USED TO MAKE ANY MODIFICATIONS TO THE PROVISION FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS TO ESTABLISH AN APPROPRIATE ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS.
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Schedule H, Part III, Line 4 Bad debt expense - financial statement footnote
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THE ORGANIZATION IS PART OF THE ASCENSION HEALTH ALLIANCE'S CONSOLIDATED AUDIT IN WHICH THE FOOTNOTE THAT DISCUSSES THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE IS LOCATED ON PAGE 19.
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Schedule H, Part III, Line 8 Community benefit & methodology for determining medicare costs
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ASCENSION HEALTH AND ITS RELATED HEALTH MINISTRIES FOLLOW THE CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION (CHA) GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING COMMUNITY BENEFIT. CHA COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORTING GUIDELINES SUGGEST THAT MEDICARE SHORTFALL IS NOT TREATED AS COMMUNITY BENEFIT.
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Schedule H, Part III, Line 9b Collection practices for patients eligible for financial assistance
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THE ORGANIZATION FOLLOWS THE ASCENSION GUIDELINES FOR COLLECTION PRACTICES RELATED TO PATIENTS QUALIFYING FOR CHARITY OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. A PATIENT CAN APPLY FOR CHARITY OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AT ANY TIME DURING THE COLLECTION CYCLE. ONCE QUALIFYING DOCUMENTATION IS RECEIVED THE PATIENT'S ACCOUNT IS ADJUSTED. PATIENT ACCOUNTS FOR THE QUALIFYING PATIENT IN THE PREVIOUS SIX MONTHS MAY ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR CHARITY OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. ONCE A PATIENT QUALIFIES FOR CHARITY OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, ALL COLLECTION ACTIVITY IS SUSPENDED.
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Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 16a FAP website
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- ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER: Line 16a URL: https://www.stvincents.org/patients-visitors/financial-assistance;
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Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 16b FAP Application website
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- ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER: Line 16b URL: https://www.stvincents.org/patients-visitors/financial-assistance;
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Schedule H, Part V, Section B, Line 16c FAP plain language summary website
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- ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER: Line 16c URL: https://www.stvincents.org/patients-visitors/financial-assistance;
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 2 Needs assessment
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ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER IS COMMITTED TO SERVING THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT AREA BY DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND SERVICES FOR THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF ITS COMMUNITY. THROUGH HEALTHCARE EDUCATION, MEDICAL CARE, AND SUPPORT SERVICES, THE ORGANIZATION REACHES INTO THE COMMUNITY TO ENHANCE LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. WE DELIVER A BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES WITH SENSITIVITY TO THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF OUR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE RELATIONSHIPS DEVELOPED WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAVE PROVIDED MUCH NEEDED HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY. OUR TRADITION OF IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY DATES TO 1903, WHEN LOCAL CATHOLIC PHYSICIANS IDENTIFIED A NEED TO MEET THE HOLISTIC NEEDS OF THE LARGE EUROPEAN IMMIGRANT POPULATION. THEY CONTACTED THE PASTOR OF THE NEARBY ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, WHO IN TURN COLLABORATED WITH THE DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY. THEIR VISION WAS REALIZED WHEN THE DOORS OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER OPENED IN JUNE 1905. SINCE THAT TIME, ALL ASSOCIATES OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER HAVE STOOD BEHIND ITS MISSION TO SUPPORT UNDERSERVED PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. OUR MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES PROVIDE A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR THE WORK WE DO - A FRAMEWORK THAT EXPRESSES OUR PRIORITIES FOR WHAT WE WILL ACHIEVE AND HOW WE WILL ACHIEVE IT. PRIMARY CARE ACTION GROUP (PCAG) ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER IS COMMITTED TO MAKING A LASTING IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES. TO THAT END, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER HAS ORGANIZED THE PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS IN THE CITY OF BRIDGEPORT INTO A PRIMARY CARE ACTION GROUP (PCAG). THE EXPRESSED PURPOSE OF THIS GROUP IS TO INCREASE THE ACCESS OF THE UNDERSERVED AND UNINSURED TO PRIMARY CARE AND SPECIALTY CARE. THE GROUP HAS DEVELOPED GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND A STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVE. THROUGH THIS EFFORT, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER WAS A KEY PARTNER IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REGIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION ORGANIZATION, CREATING THE ABILITY TO IDENTIFY OVERLAP IN SERVICES TO EACH ORGANIZATION'S RESPECTIVE CLIENTS. HOPE DISPENSARY IN THE SPRING OF 2011, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER STAFF, THE PCAG LAUNCHED ONE OF ITS MOST VITAL AND SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS, THE BRIDGEPORT HOPE DISPENSARY, A PHARMACY OFFERING MEDICATION FREE OF CHARGE, TO LOW INCOME UNINSURED AND THE UNDERINSURED. THIS IS A MUCH NEEDED SERVICE IN THE AREA WHICH HELPS TO KEEP INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS HEALTHY. (SEE MORE BACKGROUND AND RESULTS UNDER PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH, PART VI, LINE 5). PCAG TASK FORCES THE PCAG COLLABORATION, IN WHICH ST. VINCENT'S PLAYS A LEADING ROLE, CREATED FOUR TASK FORCES THROUGH ITS COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN TO ADDRESS THE MOST URGENT HEALTH CARE ISSUES IN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT REGION, AS IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT. ACTION PLANS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED FOR EACH OF THE TASK FORCES AND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION HAS BEGUN. THE FOUR TASK FORCES ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. THE GOAL OF THE CARDIAC & DIABETES TASK FORCE IS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE, PROGRESSION AND BURDEN OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES THROUGH A STRATEGY OF PREVENTIVE SCREENINGS AND EDUCATION FOR AREA RESIDENTS. 2. THE GOAL OF THE OBESITY/HEALTHY LIFESTYLES TASK FORCE IS TO REDUCE AND PREVENT OBESITY BY CREATING ENVIRONMENTS THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIVING IN THE REGION. 3. THE GOAL OF THE MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE ABUSE TASK FORCE IS TO INCREASE THE UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AS PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE EQUAL ACCESS TO PREVENTION AND TREATMENT FOR AREA RESIDENTS. 4. THE GOAL OF THE ACCESS TO CARE TASK FORCE IS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE REGION. (SEE PART VI LINE 5 FOR MORE INFORMATION/RESULTS OF PCAG TASK FORCES) "KNOW YOUR NUMBERS" HEART DISEASE & DIABETES AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN FEBRUARY 2014, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE PCAG CARDIOVASCULAR/DIABETES TASK FORCE, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN ORGANIZING AND COORDINATING THE AREA'S FIRST "KNOW YOUR NUMBERS" HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. KNOW YOUR NUMBERS SUCCEEDED IN REACHING OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND, IN PARTICULAR, THE UNDERSERVED AT SOUP KITCHENS, PANTRIES, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS, AND HELPED THEM UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION AND MONITORING OF THEIR CHRONIC CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO STAY HEALTHY. FOR FY 18, 518 INDIVIDUALS WERE SCREENED. THEY RECEIVED HEALTH EDUCATION ON HOW TO PREVENT OR BETTER MANAGE THEIR EXISTING DISEASE AND SOME RECEIVED A DOCTOR REFERRAL BASED ON SCREENING RESULTS. ALSO, 888 PEOPLE WERE SCREENED FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AT BLOOD PRESSURE SUNDAYS BY ST. VINCENT'S PARISH NURSES AT CHURCHES AND CONGREGATIONS THROUGHOUT THE AREA. (SEE RESULTS/MORE INFORMATION UNDER PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH, PART VI, LINE 5). COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT/COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN UNDERSTANDING THE CURRENT HEALTH STATUS OF THE COMMUNITY IS IMPORTANT IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY PRIORITIES FOR FUTURE PLANNING AND FUNDING, THE EXISTING STRENGTHS AND ASSETS UPON WHICH TO BUILD, AND AREAS FOR FURTHER COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION ACROSS ORGANIZATIONS, INSTITUTIONS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS. TO THIS END, SVMC, THROUGH THE PCAG, BEGAN IN 2013 A COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL HEALTH PLANNING EFFORT COMPRISED OF TWO PHASES; (1) A COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) TO IDENTIFY THE HEALTH-RELATED NEEDS AND COMMUNITY STRENGTHS IN THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA IN 2013 AND (2) A COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CHIP) TO DETERMINE THE KEY HEALTH PRIORITIES, OVERARCHING GOALS, AND SPECIFIC STRATEGIES TO IMPLEMENT ACROSS THE SERVICE AREA. THE CHNA AND CHIP COMPREHENSIVE PROCESS WAS REPEATED IN 2016 AND BOTH REPORTS HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND ARE AVAILABLE ON THE ST. VINCENT'S WEBSITE. ST. VINCENT'S IS ONCE AGAIN, IN COLLABORATION WITH PCAG, WORKING ON COLLECTING INFORMATION AND COORDINATING THE NEXT CHNA IN 2019. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT IS A KEY TOOL FOR ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER AS IT ENSURES IT IS FULLY MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT IDENTIFIED THE HEALTH-RELATED NEEDS AND STRENGTHS OF THE GREATER BRIDGEPORT AREA THROUGH A SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH FRAMEWORK, WHICH DEFINES HEALTH IN THE BROADEST SENSE AND RECOGNIZES NUMEROUS FACTORS AT MULTIPLE LEVELS- FROM LIFESTYLE BEHAVIORS (E.G., HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIVING) TO CLINICAL CARE (E.G., ACCESS TO MEDICAL SERVICES) TO SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS (E.G., POVERTY) TO THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT (E.G., AIR QUALITY)-WHICH HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY'S HEALTH. PATIENT/FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL ST. VINCENT'S PUTS A PRIORITY ON INPUT FROM PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IT NOT ONLY BELIEVES THIS INPUT TO BE CRITICAL IN THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY MEDICAL CARE TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT THIS INPUT ALSO ASSISTS IN GUIDING THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PRIORITIES AND PLANNING. IN 2007, SVMC IMPLEMENTED A PATIENT FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL (PFAC-NAME CHANGED FROM PFAB IN 2017) AS A VEHICLE TO GIVE A MEANINGFUL VOICE TO PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PFAC ACTS AS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE SVMC BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ADMINISTRATION, AND STAFF. PFAC'S MAIN PURPOSE IS TO BE THE "VOICE OF THE PATIENT" TO ALL AT ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER AND TO PROMOTE PATIENT AND FAMILY-CENTERED CARE. (SEE PART VI LINE 5 FOR MORE INFORMATION/RESULTS OF PFAB).
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 3 Patient education of eligibility for assistance
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THE ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SCREENS PATIENTS FOR ALL PROGRAMS THAT WILL ASSIST IN COVERING MEDICAL EXPENSES, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS, FREE BED FUNDS, AND INCOME-BASED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. AT THE TIME OF PRE-REGISTRATION AND REGISTRATION, ALL PATIENTS WITHOUT INSURANCE ARE REFERRED TO AN ON-SITE FINANCIAL COUNSELOR FOR AN INITIAL SCREENING. THE FINANCIAL COUNSELOR ASSESSES THE PATIENT'S NEEDS AND BEGINS THE APPROPRIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE STAFF MEMBERS ARE TRAINED ON HOW TO QUALIFY PATIENTS FOR THE VARIOUS MEDICAID, CHARITY CARE, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. THE STAFF REGULARLY ATTENDS COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND INFORMATION UPDATE SESSIONS TO REMAIN UPDATED ON CHANGES TO STATE AND FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION, ALL BILLING AND COLLECTIONS NOTICES INFORM PATIENTS THAT THEY MAY CALL THE CHARITY COUNSELOR. IF A PATIENT CONTACTS THE BILLING OR COLLECTION AGENCIES AND INQUIRES ABOUT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THEY WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE CHARITY COUNSELOR. A PATIENT CAN REQUEST FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AT ANY POINT IN THE REVENUE CYCLE. ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER HAS TWO FULL TIME CHARITY CARE COUNSELORS. ONE IS AT ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER AND ONE IS AT ITS CLINIC, ST. VINCENT'S FAMILY HEALTH CENTER. INFORMATION ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OPTIONS IS POSTED IN THE ADMITTING AND REGISTRATION AREAS, THE EMERGENCY ROOM, CASE MANAGEMENT AREA, CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND PATIENT ACCESS DEPARTMENTS. CONTACT INFORMATION IS CLEARLY VISIBLE AND INFORMATION IS PRINTED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH. THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS HIGHLIGHTED ON THE ORGANIZATION'S EXTERNAL WEBSITE WITH DIRECT LINKS TO CONTACT INFORMATION AND THE APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE. A LINK TO THE UNITED WAY 211 WEBSITE IS ALSO PROVIDED, ALLOWING PATIENTS TO ACCESS FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE. A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BROCHURE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND IS AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS AND FAMILIES AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. THIS BROCHURE IS DISPLAYED IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, URGENT CARE CENTERS, MULTI-SPECIALTY GROUP PHYSICIAN PRACTICES, CASE MANAGEMENT, CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND PATIENT ACCESS DEPARTMENTS. THE BROCHURE, APPLICATION AND REQUIREMENT CHECK LIST ARE ALSO MAILED UPON REQUEST. BY VIRTUE OF ITS LOCATION AND MISSION, ST. VINCENT'S MEDICAL CENTER'S UNCOMPENSATED CARE COSTS WERE $43.3 MILLION IN FY 2018, BASED ON CHARGES, INCLUDING CHARITY CARE AND BAD DEBT.
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Schedule H, Part VI, Line 7 State filing of community benefit report
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CT
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Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. 
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.