|
PART I, LINE 6A:
|
A SYSTEM-WIDE COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT IS FILED BY:ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE NETWORK 3075 HIGHLAND PARKWAY, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515. EIN 36-2167779
|
|
PART I, LINE 7:
|
A COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO, DERIVED FROM SCHEDULE H INSTRUCTIONS WORKSHEET 2, RATIO OF PATIENT CARE COST-TO-CHARGES, WAS USED TO CALCULATE THE AMOUNTS REPORTED IN THE TABLE FOR PART I, LINE 7A. SCHEDULE H INSTRUCTIONS WORKSHEET 3, UNREIMBURSED MEDICAID AND OTHER MEANS-TESTED GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, WAS USED TO CALCULATE THE AMOUNTS REPORTED IN THE TABLE FOR PART I, LINE 7B. A COST ACCOUNTING SYSTEM WAS USED TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNTS REPORTED IN THE TABLE FOR PART I, LINES 7E, 7F, 7G, AND 7I.
|
|
PART I, LINE 7G:
|
ANSHN PROVIDES SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED DESPITE CREATING A FINANCIAL LOSS FOR ANSHN. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BECAUSE THEY MEET AN IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY NEED. IF ANSHN DID NOT PROVIDE THE CLINICAL SERVICE, IT IS REASONABLE TO CONCLUDE THAT THESE SERVICES WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY. THE SERVICES INCLUDED ARE BOTH INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS FOR PEDIATRICS AND REHABILITATION SERVICES.
|
|
PART I, LN 7 COL(F):
|
$33,326,904 OF BAD DEBT EXPENSE WAS INCLUDED ON FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 25, COLUMN (A), BUT WAS REMOVED FROM THE DENOMINATOR FOR PURPOSES OF SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 7, COLUMN (F).
|
|
PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
|
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE IS COMMITTED TO GREENING HEALTH CARE BECAUSE IT IS DEEPLY CONNECTED TO THE PURPOSE OF OUR ORGANIZATION HEALTH AND HEALING. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE HEALTH OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE HEALTH OF THE PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE IS INEXTRICABLY LINKED AND THAT A HEALTHY PLANET SUPPORTS HEALTHY PEOPLE. REDUCING WASTE, CONSERVING ENERGY AND WATER, MINIMIZING USE OF TOXIC CHEMICALS, AND CONSTRUCTING ECO-FRIENDLY BUILDINGS FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW ALL THESE EFFORTS HAVE A DIRECT BENEFIT ON THE HEALTH OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES VIA CLEANER COMMUNITIES, HEALTHIER AIR QUALITY, REDUCED GREENHOUSE GASES, AND PRESERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES. AS WE WORK TO REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPACT OF HEALTH CARE, OUR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES HELP EASE THE BURDEN OF HEALTH CARE COSTS BOTH DIRECTLY (LOWER ENERGY COSTS) AND INDIRECTLY (LOWER ENVIRONMENTALLY-RELATED DISEASE BURDEN). 1. MENTORING AND EDUCATIONAS WE WORK TO SERVE THE HEALTH NEEDS OF TODAY'S PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE NEEDS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS, ADVOCATE HAS COMMITTED RESOURCES TO SHARING LESSONS LEARNED AND BEST PRACTICES WITH OTHER HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS, BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY. ADVOCATE SERVES IN A LEADERSHIP, ADVOCACY AND MENTORING ROLE NATIONALLY THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN SEVERAL HEALTHCARE SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP GROUPS AND ADVISORY BOARDS, ADDRESSING SAFER CHEMICALS IN FURNISHING AND MEDICAL PRODUCTS, GREEN BUILDING, CLIMATE CHANGE, PLASTICS RECYCLING, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY-PREFERABLE PURCHASING: HEALTH CARE CLIMATE COUNCIL HEALTHCARE ANCHOR NETWORK HEALTHCARE PLASTICS RECYCLING COALITION HEALTHCARE FACILITY ADVISORY BOARD PRACTICE GREENHEALTH MARKET TRANSFORMATION GROUP SAFER CHEMICALS HEALTHY BUILDING NETWORK PREMIER ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL STEERING COUNCIL OVERSIGHT AND SIGNATORY OF THE CHEMICAL FOOTPRINT PROJECTADVOCATE ALSO COMMONLY PROVIDES MENTORING TO HEALTH CARE COMMUNITY ON SUSTAINABILITY BEST PRACTICES THROUGH PRESENTATIONS AND WEBINARS, AS WELL AS TO INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.2. ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM 2021 ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES: PLEDGED TO POWER ITS FACILITIES WITH 100% RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY BY 2030. REDUCED ENERGY INTENSITY UTILIZATION BY 1.3% FROM 2020. AVOIDED 31 MTCO2E OF GREENHOUSE GASES (EQUIVALENT TO OVER 75,000 MILLION MILES OF DRIVING) THROUGH ECO-FRIENDLY MANAGEMENT OF ANESTHETIC GASES. RECYCLED 2,983 TONS OF WASTE FROM HOSPITAL OPERATIONS. RECYCLED 84 PERCENT, OR 1,090 TONS, OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS. SAVED 26 TONS OF WASTE FROM LANDFILL VIA OUR SURGICAL AND MEDICAL DEVICE REPROCESSING PROGRAMS. REDUCED PAPER UTILIZATION BY 1.6% FROM 2020. CONTINUED OUR DONATION PROGRAM WITH PROJECT C.U.R.E., A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WILL RESPONSIBLY REDISTRIBUTE DONATED MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT TO UNDER-RESOURCED AREAS AROUND THE GLOBE, FOR ALL ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES. IN 2021, ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE DONATED 128 PALLETS OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO PROJECT CURE. SPENT OVER $68,000, OR 84% OF ADVOCATE'S EXPENSES IN SELECT CLEANING PRODUCT CATEGORIES (WINDOW, FLOOR, CARPET, BATHROOM, AND GENERAL-PURPOSE CLEANERS) ON THIRD-PARTY CERTIFIED "GREEN" CLEANERS. INCREASED THE PURCHASE OF HEALTHIER HOSPITALS-APPROVED FURNITURE, MADE WITHOUT SELECT CHEMICALS OF CONCERN, INCLUDING PERFLUORINATED COMPOUNDS, PVC (VINYL), FORMALDEHYDE, FLAME RETARDANTS (WHERE CODE PERMISSIBLE) AND ANTIMICROBIALS, TO 99% OF TOTAL PURCHASES. PURCHASED OVER $1,000,000 OF MEAT PRODUCTS FROM LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY RAISED WITHOUT THE ROUTINE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS (32% OF TOTAL), SUPPORTING THE JUDICIOUS AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN AGRICULTURE WHICH CAN HELP SLOW THE EMERGENCE OF ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA. PLEASE SEE ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE'S PUBLICLY FACING SUSTAINABILITY & WELLNESS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.3. ADVOCATE NORTH SIDE HEALTH NETWORK ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS IN 2021- REDUCED ENERGY INTENSITY UTILIZATION BY 1% FROM 2020. - ACHIEVED AN ENERGY STAR SCORE OF 100!- DIVERTED OVER 624,000 POUNDS OF OPERATING WASTE FROM THE LANDFILL THROUGH ITS VARIOUS RECYCLING PROGRAMS. - RECYCLED 86%, OR 255 TONS, OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS.- AVOIDED 6,657 POUNDS OF MEDICAL AND SOLID WASTE THROUGH ITS DEVICE REPROCESSING PROGRAMS.- 98% OF FURNITURE PURCHASES WERE FREE OF FIVE KEY CHEMICALS OF CONCERN.- PURCHASED 28% OF TOTAL MEAT PRODUCTS FROM LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY RAISED WITHOUT THE ROUTINE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS, SUPPORTING THE JUDICIOUS AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN AGRICULTURE WHICH CAN HELP SLOW THE EMERGENCE OF ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA.- DONATED 34 PALLETS OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO PROJECT CURE. - PURCHASED RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDITS TO COVER THE COST OF ALL ELECTRICITY USED FOR THE YEAR= 7,666 MTCO2E
|
|
PART III, LINE 4:
|
FOR ANHN, IN 2021, THE ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS COVERED 31.32% OF NET PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. PATIENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ARE STATED AT NET REALIZABLE VALUE. ANSHN EVALUATES THE COLLECTABILITY OF ITS ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE BASED ON THE LENGTH OF TIME THE RECEIVABLE IS OUTSTANDING, PAYER CLASS, HISTORICAL COLLECTION EXPERIENCE, AND TRENDS IN HEALTH CARE INSURANCE PROGRAMS. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ARE CHARGED TO THE ALLOWANCE FOR UNCOLLECTIBLE ACCOUNTS WHEN THEY ARE DEEMED UNCOLLECTIBLE.THE COSTING METHODOLOGY USED IN DETERMINING THE AMOUNTS REPORTED ON LINES 2 AND 3 IS BASED ON THE RATIO OF PATIENT CARE COST TO CHARGES. THE UNREIMBURSED COST OF BAD DEBT WAS CALCULATED BY APPLYING THE ORGANIZATION'S COST TO CHARGE RATIO FROM THE MEDICARE COST REPORTS (CMS 2252-96 WORKSHEET C, PART 1, PPS INPATIENT RATIOS) TO THE ORGANIZATION'S BAD DEBT PROVISION PER GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, LESS ANY PATIENT OR THIRD PARTY PAYOR PAYMENTS RECEIVED.ADVOCATE MAKES EVERY EFFORT TO IDENTIFY THOSE PATIENTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY STRICTLY ADHERING TO ITS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY. WE BELIEVE THAT ADVOCATE HAS A POPULATION OF PATIENTS WHO ARE UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED BUT WHO DO NOT COMPLETE THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION. THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF BAD DEBT EXPENSE (AT COST) WHICH COULD BE REASONABLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO PATIENTS WHO WOULD LIKELY QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY, IF SUFFICIENT INFORMATION HAD BEEN AVAILABLE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION OF THEIR ELIGIBILITY, WAS BASED UPON SELF PAY PATIENT ACCOUNTS WHICH HAD AMOUNTS WRITTEN OFF TO BAD DEBTS. OUR METHOD WAS TO BEGIN WITH THE SELF-PAY PORTION OF BAD DEBT EXPENSE PROVISION. THE SELF PAY PORTION EXCLUDES THOSE PATIENTS WHO HAD FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS PENDING AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. THIS COST WAS THEN REDUCED BY CHARGES IDENTIFIED AS TRUE BAD DEBT EXPENSE, INCLUDING COPAYS FOR PATIENTS WHO QUALIFIED FOR LESS THAN 100% FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. THE COST TO CHARGE RATIO WAS THEN APPLIED TO THE REMAINING CHARGES, TO DETERMINE THE VALUE (AT COST) OF PATIENT ACCOUNTS THAT DID NOT COMPLETE FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND WERE ASSIGNED TO BAD DEBT. WE BELIEVE THIS PROCESS IS A REASONABLE BASIS FOR OUR ESTIMATE. AS WE ARE ONLY CONSIDERING SELF-PAY ACCOUNTS WRITTEN OFF TO BAD DEBT FOR THIS ESTIMATE, THIS ESTIMATE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE IMMEDIATE 25% DISCOUNT TO CHARGES WHICH IS APPLIED TO ALL SELF-PAY PATIENTS. IT ALSO DOES NOT INCLUDE ACCOUNT BALANCES OR CO-PAYS OF NON-SELF PAY ACCOUNTS WHICH ARE WRITTEN OFF TO BAD DEBT WHEN THE PATIENT HAS NO OTHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO PAY THESE AMOUNTS AND THE PATIENT DOES NOT APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.BAD DEBT AMOUNTS HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM OTHER COMMUNITY BENEFIT AMOUNTS REPORTED THROUGHOUT SCHEDULE H.
|
|
PART III, LINE 8:
|
IN 2021, NO SHORTFALL WAS REPORTED ON PART III, LINE 7.FOR ADVOCATE NORTHSIDE'S OPERATIONS, THE UNREIMBURSED COST OF MEDICARE WAS CALCULATED BY APPLYING THE ORGANIZATION'S COST TO CHARGE RATIO FROM THE MEDICARE COST REPORTS (CMS 2252-96 WORKSHEET C, PART 1, PPS INPATIENT RATIOS) AND FOR NON-HOSPITAL OPERATIONS THE COST TO CHARGE RATIO CALCULATED ON WORKSHEET 2 RATIO OF PATIENT CARE COST TO CHARGES TO THE ORGANIZATION'S MEDICARE, LESS ANY PATIENT OR THIRD PARTY PAYOR PAYMENTS AND/OR CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THAT WERE DESIGNATED FOR THE PAYMENT OF MEDICARE PATIENT BILLS.
|
|
PART III, LINE 9B:
|
ANSHN MAINTAINS BOTH WRITTEN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND BAD DEBT/COLLECTION POLICIES. THE BAD DEBT/COLLECTION POLICY DOES NOT APPLY TO THOSE PATIENTS KNOWN TO QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE; THEREFORE SUCH PATIENTS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO COLLECTION PRACTICES.
|
|
PART VI, LINE 2:
|
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMUNITYFOR THE PURPOSES OF THE 2017-2019 CHNA, ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC DEFINES THE "COMMUNITY" AS ITS PSA. THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PSA CONSISTS OF 21 COMMUNITIES IN COOK COUNTY, INCLUDING FORT DEARBORN (60610), NORTH CENTER (60613), LINCOLN PARK (60614), AVONDALE/NORTH CENTER (60618), WICKER PARK (60622), RAVENSWOOD (60625), ROGERS PARK (60626), JEFFERSON PARK (60630), DUNNING (60634), BELMONT CRAGIN (60639), UPTOWN (60640), IRVING PARK/PORTAGE PARK (60641), WICKER PARK (60642), AVALON PARK/NORTH (60645), LOGAN SQUARE (60647), DIVISION STREET (60651), LAKEVIEW (60657), WEST RIDGE (60659), ROGERS PARK (60660), OLD TOWN/NEAR NORTH SIDE (60610) AND ELMWOOD (60707 AND 60635). DEMOGRAPHICS POPULATION. IN 2019, THE POPULATION OF ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC'S PSA WAS 1,186,360. THE PSA POPULATION SLIGHTLY DECREASED BY 0.05 PERCENT FROM 2010 TO 2019 (CONDUENT HEALTHY COMMUNITIES INSTITUTE [HCI], CLARITAS, 2019). AGE. TWENTY SEVEN PERCENT OF THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PSA IS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS OLD. THE 18-24 YEAR OLD AGE GROUP IS THE SMALLEST GROUP AT 7.7 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION, THE 25-64 YEAR OLD AGE GROUP IS THE LARGEST AGE GROUP AT 60.04 PERCENT OF THE POPULATIONS, AND 11.56 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS OVER THE AGE OF 65 (CONDUENT HCI, CLARITAS, 2019).GENDER. THERE ARE 49.65 PERCENT MALES AND 50.35 PERCENT FEMALES IN ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC'S PSA.RACE/ETHNICITY. 2019 DEMOGRAPHIC DATA SHOWS THAT THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PSA IS 62.48 PERCENT WHITE, 15.17 PERCENT "OTHER", 10.33 PERCENT BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN, 7.68 PERCENT ASIAN, 3.56 PERCENT 2 OR MORE RACES, 0.56 PERCENT AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKAN NATIVE AND 0.05 PERCENT NATIVE HAWAIIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER. THE PSA IS 32.99 PERCENT HISPANIC/LATINO AND 67.01 PERCENT NON-HISPANIC/LATINO (CONDUENT HCI, CLARITAS, 2019).INCOME. THE MEDICAL CENTER HAS 502,786 HOUSEHOLDS IN ITS PSA AND THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE IS 2.32 PERSONS. THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC'S PSA IS $71,593, WHICH IS $5,106 HIGHER THAN THE STATE'S AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF $66,487. THERE IS A RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITY IN THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME WITH THE WHITE POPULATION HAVING THE HIGHEST MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF $80,630, FOLLOWED BY THE ASIAN POPULATION AT $72,081 AND THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER POPULATION AT $67,231. THE LOWEST HOUSEHOLD INCOMES IN THE PSA ARE AMONG THE BLACK POPULATION AT $38,837, THE AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKAN NATIVES AT $45,985, THE "OTHER RACE" POPULATION AT $49,933, AND THE HISPANIC/LATINO POPULATION AT $52,438 (CONDUENT HCI, CLARITAS, 2019). POVERTY. THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES LIVING BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL (FPL) IS 30,672 (12.49 PERCENT), WHICH IS MORE THAN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AT 9.8 PERCENT. THERE ARE 8.7 PERCENT OF FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN LIVING BELOW POVERTY, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ILLINOIS AT 7.38 PERCENT (CONDUENT HCI, CLARITAS, 2019). ADULTS WITH HEALTH INSURANCE. IN COOK COUNTY 87.4 PERCENT OF ADULTS 19 AND OVER ARE IDENTIFIED AS HAVING HEALTH INSURANCE. WITHIN THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PSA, THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE COMES FROM THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR WITH 64.7 PERCENT OF THE PSA COVERED BY COMMERCIAL INSURANCE. MEDICARE PROVIDES INSURANCE TO 16.9 PERCENT OF THE PSA FOLLOWED BY MEDICAID AT 10.1 PERCENT. THE UNINSURED MAKE UP 4.5 PERCENT OF THE PSA AND 24 PERCENT ARE COVERED THROUGH VETERANS BENEFITS. HISPANIC/LATINO ADULTS HAVE THE LOWEST RATES OF HEALTH INSURANCE COMPARED TO ALL OTHER RACE/ETHNICITIES (CONDUENT HCI, CLARITAS, 2019).CHILDREN WITH HEALTH INSURANCE. AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, 97 PERCENT OF CHILDREN HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE WHICH IS EQUAL TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AT 97 PERCENT AND SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THE U.S. AT 95 PERCENT. THERE ARE NO RACIAL/ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN HEALTH INSURANCE RATES FOR CHILDREN IN COOK COUNTY. PERSONS WITH PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE ONLY. IN COOK COUNTY, 27 PERCENT OF RESIDENTS HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE. THE PERCENTAGE OF COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS COVERED BY PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE HAS INCREASED FROM 23.6 PERCENT IN 2013 TO 27 PERCENT IN 2017. HOSPITALS AND FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS. THERE ARE ELEVEN HOSPITALS IN ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC'S PSA, INCLUDING, KINDRED-CHICAGO LAKESHORE, KINDRED-CHICAGO NORTH, THOREK MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ANDERSONVILLE, HUMBOLDT PARK HEALTH, COMMUNITY FIRST, AMITA HEALTH-SAINTS MARY AND ELIZABETH, AMITA HEALTH SAINT JOSEPH, SWEDISH COVENANT, THOREK MEMORIAL, AND WEISS MEMORIAL. THERE ARE ALSO TWO FREE CLINICS, INCLUDING THE COMMUNITYHEALTH AND OLD IRVING PARK CLINICS, AS WELL AS NINE FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS, INCLUDING PCC WELLNESS, PRIME CARE, ERIE FAMILY HEALTH NETWORK, NEAR NORTH HEALTH SERVICE CORPORATION, HEARTLAND HEALTH, HAMDARD, ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK, HOWARD BROWN AND ASIAN HUMAN SERVICES. THERE ARE SEVERAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (HRSA) MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES (MUP) WITHIN THE MEDICAL CENTER'S SERVICES AREA INCLUDING: RODGERS PARK (60626), BELMONT CRAGIN (60639), HUMBOLDT PARK (60651) AND AVONDALE (60618).
|
|
PART VI, LINE 3:
|
ANSHN ASSISTS PATIENTS WITH ENROLLMENT IN GOVERNMENT-SUPPORTED PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THEY ARE ELIGIBLE AND IN SECURING REIMBURSEMENT FROM AVAILABLE THIRD-PARTY RESOURCES. FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT IS PROVIDED TO HELP PATIENTS IDENTIFY AND OBTAIN PAYMENT FROM THIRD PARTIES, INCLUDING ILLINOIS MEDICAID, ILLINOIS CRIME VICTIMS FUND, ETC., AS WELL AS TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY UNDER ANSHN'S HOSPITAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY. ADVOCATE UTILIZES A FINANCIAL SCREENING SOFTWARE PROGRAM TO HELP IDENTIFY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THE PATIENT MAY BE ELIGIBLE OR ADVOCATE'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION OR AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE THEREAFTER. IN ADDITION, HEALTHADVISOR, ADVOCATE'S EDUCATION REGISTRATION AND PHYSICIAN REFERRAL TELEPHONE CENTER, SERVES AS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE PROVIDING REFERRALS TO GOVERNMENT-FUNDED AND OTHER PROGRAMS VIA TELEPHONE FROM 7 A.M. TO 7 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND SATURDAYS 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M. ANSHN ASSISTS PATIENTS WITH APPLYING FOR ADVOCATE'S OWN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES, IF PATIENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT-SUPPORTED PROGRAMS. ANSHN COMMUNICATES THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE APPLICABLE LANGUAGES OF THE HOSPITAL COMMUNITY. MEANS OF COMMUNICATION INCLUDE:1. THE HEALTH CARE CONSENT THAT IS SIGNED UPON REGISTRATION FOR HOSPITAL SERVICES INCLUDES A STATEMENT THAT FINANCIAL COUNSELING, INCLUDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATION, IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.2. SIGNS ARE CLEARLY AND CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED IN LOCATIONS THAT ARE VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO HOSPITAL PATIENT ACCESS, REGISTRATION, EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, CASHIER, AND BUSINESS OFFICE LOCATIONS.3. BROCHURES ARE PLACED IN HOSPITAL PATIENT ACCESS, REGISTRATION, EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND BUSINESS OFFICE LOCATIONS, AND WILL INCLUDE GUIDANCE ON HOW A PATIENT MAY APPLY FOR MEDICARE, MEDICAID, ALL KIDS, FAMILY CARE ETC., AND THE HOSPITAL'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. A HOSPITAL CONTACT AND TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS INCLUDED.4. UPON REQUEST A HANDOUT SUMMARIZING ADVOCATE'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION WILL BE GIVEN TO UNINSURED PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE MEDICALLY NECESSARY HOSPITAL SERVICES AT THE EARLIEST PRACTICAL TIME OF SERVICE.5. ADVOCATE'S WEBSITE POSTS NOTICE IN A PROMINENT PLACE THAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE, WITH AN EXPLANATION OF THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION PROCESS, AND ENABLE PRINTING OF THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION.6. HOSPITAL BILLS TO UNINSURED PATIENTS INCLUDE A SUMMARY OF ADVOCATE'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY, A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION, AND A TELEPHONE NUMBER TO REQUEST FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
|
|
PART VI, LINE 4:
|
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMUNITYFOR THE PURPOSES OF THE 2017-2019 CHNA, ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC DEFINES THE "COMMUNITY" AS ITS PSA. THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PSA CONSISTS OF 21 COMMUNITIES IN COOK COUNTY, INCLUDING FORT DEARBORN (60610), NORTH CENTER (60613), LINCOLN PARK (60614), AVONDALE/NORTH CENTER (60618), WICKER PARK (60622), RAVENSWOOD (60625), ROGERS PARK (60626), JEFFERSON PARK (60630), DUNNING (60634), BELMONT CRAGIN (60639), UPTOWN (60640), IRVING PARK/PORTAGE PARK (60641), WICKER PARK (60642), AVALON PARK/NORTH (60645), LOGAN SQUARE (60647), DIVISION STREET (60651), LAKEVIEW (60657), WEST RIDGE (60659), ROGERS PARK (60660), OLD TOWN/NEAR NORTH SIDE (60610) AND ELMWOOD (60707 AND 60635). THE PSA POPULATION SLIGHTLY DECREASED BY 0.05 PERCENT FROM 2010 TO 2019 (CONDUENT HEALTHY COMMUNITIES INSTITUTE [HCI], CLARITAS, 2019). SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH (SDOH). ATHE AHE'S CHNA DEMONSTRATED THE DEVASTATING IMPACT SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS CAN HAVE ON ONE'S HEALTH. THE CHC IDENTIFIED SDOH AS A CRUCIAL COMPONENT OF ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PRIORITIZED HEALTH ISSUES AND KEY TO IMPROVING THE OVERALL HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PSA. SPECIFICALLY, ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC WILL ADDRESS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SAFETY/VIOLENCE PREVENTION. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC'S 2019 CHNA REPORT OR IN THE ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH EQUITY'S 2019 CHNA REPORT POSTED NEXT TO THE MEDICAL CENTER'S REPORT AT ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC MEDICAL CENTER CHNA REPORT 2019 | ADVOCATE HEALTH CAREIN 2021 AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CENTER FOR HEALTH AND HOUSING, ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC PLACED FOUR INDIVIDUALS IN PERMANENT HOUSING AND ONE INDIVIDUAL IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING THROUGH ITS FLEXIBLE HOUSING POOL PROGRAM. PATIENTS PLACED IN HOUSING WERE HOMELESS AND DIAGNOSED WITH MENTAL OR CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS. CASE MANAGEMENT AND WRAP AROUND SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO ALL PATIENTS PLACED IN PERMANENT AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING. THE ADVOCATE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE (AWI) AIMS TO INCREASE MINORITY REPRESENTATIONS IN THE HEALTH CARE SECTOR. THE PROGRAM ENROLLED 1,250 NEW PARTICIPANTS IN 2020 WITH OVER 900 PARTICIPANTS COMPLETING THE PROGRAM. ADDITIONALLY, THE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND ADVOCATE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE TEAMS DEVELOPED AN EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM PROVIDING PAID EXTERNSHIPS TO STUDENTS COMPLETING TRAINING IN ENTRY LEVEL HEALTH CARE POSITIONS. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON STUDENTS RESIDING IN UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES WITH HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES. IN 2021, THE MEDICAL CENTER'S COMMUNITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ADVOCATE AURORA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TEAMS COLLABORATED TOGETHER TO PROVIDE 11 INDIVIDUALS IN HIGH-RISK COMMUNITIES WITH HANDS ON EXPERIENCE THROUGH AN EXTERNSHIP. TWO EXTERNS WERE HIRED AND OBTAINED PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT IN THE ADVOCATE AURORA HEALTH SYSTEM. THE MEDICAL CENTER ALSO PARTNERS WITH ACCLIVUS, AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY SAFETY, TO PROVIDE VIOLENCE INTERVENTION SERVICES. IN 2021, 218 MEDICAL CENTER PATIENTS WERE ADMITTED TO THE ED DUE TO DOMESTIC OR COMMUNITY VIOLENCE. PATIENTS ALSO RECEIVED AN ASSESSMENT AND REFERRALS TO SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES. DEMOGRAPHICSAGE. TWENTY SEVEN PERCENT OF THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PSA IS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS OLD. THE 18-24 YEAR OLD AGE GROUP IS THE SMALLEST GROUP AT 7.7 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION, THE 25-64 YEAR OLD AGE GROUP IS THE LARGEST AGE GROUP AT 60.04 PERCENT OF THE POPULATIONS, AND 11.56 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS OVER THE AGE OF 65 (CONDUENT HCI, CLARITAS, 2019).GENDER. THERE ARE 49.65 PERCENT MALES AND 50.35 PERCENT FEMALES IN ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC'S PSA.RACE/ETHNICITY. 2019 DEMOGRAPHIC DATA SHOWS THAT THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PSA IS 62.48 PERCENT WHITE, 15.17 PERCENT "OTHER", 10.33 PERCENT BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN, 7.68 PERCENT ASIAN, 3.56 PERCENT 2 OR MORE RACES, 0.56 PERCENT AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKAN NATIVE AND 0.05 PERCENT NATIVE HAWAIIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER. THE PSA IS 32.99 PERCENT HISPANIC/LATINO AND 67.01 PERCENT NON-HISPANIC/LATINO (CONDUENT HCI, CLARITAS, 2019).INCOME. THE MEDICAL CENTER HAS 502,786 HOUSEHOLDS IN ITS PSA AND THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE IS 2.32 PERSONS. THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC'S PSA IS $71,593, WHICH IS $5,106 HIGHER THAN THE STATE'S AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF $66,487. THERE IS A RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITY IN THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME WITH THE WHITE POPULATION HAVING THE HIGHEST MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF $80,630, FOLLOWED BY THE ASIAN POPULATION AT $72,081 AND THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER POPULATION AT $67,231. THE LOWEST HOUSEHOLD INCOMES IN THE PSA ARE AMONG THE BLACK POPULATION AT $38,837, THE AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKAN NATIVES AT $45,985, THE "OTHER RACE" POPULATION AT $49,933, AND THE HISPANIC/LATINO POPULATION AT $52,438 (CONDUENT HCI, CLARITAS, 2019). POVERTY. THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES LIVING BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL (FPL) IS 30,672 (12.49 PERCENT), WHICH IS MORE THAN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AT 9.8 PERCENT. THERE ARE 8.7 PERCENT OF FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN LIVING BELOW POVERTY, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ILLINOIS AT 7.38 PERCENT (CONDUENT HCI, CLARITAS, 2019). ADULTS WITH HEALTH INSURANCE. IN COOK COUNTY 87.4 PERCENT OF ADULTS 19 AND OVER ARE IDENTIFIED AS HAVING HEALTH INSURANCE. WITHIN THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PSA, THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE COMES FROM THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR WITH 64.7 PERCENT OF THE PSA COVERED BY COMMERCIAL INSURANCE. MEDICARE PROVIDES INSURANCE TO 16.9 PERCENT OF THE PSA FOLLOWED BY MEDICAID AT 10.1 PERCENT. THE UNINSURED MAKE UP 4.5 PERCENT OF THE PSA AND 24 PERCENT ARE COVERED THROUGH VETERANS BENEFITS. HISPANIC/LATINO ADULTS HAVE THE LOWEST RATES OF HEALTH INSURANCE COMPARED TO ALL OTHER RACE/ETHNICITIES (CONDUENT HCI, CLARITAS, 2019).CHILDREN WITH HEALTH INSURANCE. AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, 97 PERCENT OF CHILDREN HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE WHICH IS EQUAL TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AT 97 PERCENT AND SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THE U.S. AT 95 PERCENT. THERE ARE NO RACIAL/ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN HEALTH INSURANCE RATES FOR CHILDREN IN COOK COUNTY. PERSONS WITH PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE ONLY. IN COOK COUNTY, 27 PERCENT OF RESIDENTS HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE. THE PERCENTAGE OF COOK COUNTY RESIDENTS COVERED BY PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE HAS INCREASED FROM 23.6 PERCENT IN 2013 TO 27 PERCENT IN 2017. HOSPITALS AND FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS. THERE ARE ELEVEN HOSPITALS IN ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC'S PSA, INCLUDING, KINDRED-CHICAGO LAKESHORE, KINDRED-CHICAGO NORTH, THOREK MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ANDERSONVILLE, HUMBOLDT PARK HEALTH, COMMUNITY FIRST, AMITA HEALTH-SAINTS MARY AND ELIZABETH, AMITA HEALTH SAINT JOSEPH, SWEDISH COVENANT, THOREK MEMORIAL, AND WEISS MEMORIAL. THERE ARE ALSO TWO FREE CLINICS, INCLUDING THE COMMUNITYHEALTH AND OLD IRVING PARK CLINICS, AS WELL AS NINE FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS, INCLUDING PCC WELLNESS, PRIME CARE, ERIE FAMILY HEALTH NETWORK, NEAR NORTH HEALTH SERVICE CORPORATION, HEARTLAND HEALTH, HAMDARD, ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK, HOWARD BROWN AND ASIAN HUMAN SERVICES. THERE ARE SEVERAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (HRSA) MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES (MUP) WITHIN THE MEDICAL CENTER'S SERVICES AREA INCLUDING: RODGERS PARK (60626), BELMONT CRAGIN (60639), HUMBOLDT PARK (60651) AND AVONDALE (60618).
|
|
PART VI, LINE 5:
|
ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC MEDICAL CENTER (ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC) EMPLOYED MULTIPLE DATA COLLECTION STRATEGIES FOR THE 2017-2019 CHNA. THE MEDICAL CENTER COLLABORATED WITH MANY PARTNERS TO COLLECT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SERVICE AREA AND COUNTY DATA THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH EQUITY (THE ALLIANCE THROUGH THE ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC COMMUNITY HEALTH AND GOVERNING COUNCILS. THESE COUNCILS AND COLLABORATIVES, AND THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS THEREIN, ARE DESCRIBED BELOW.THE ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH EQUITY (AHE). ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC IS A KEY MEMBER OF THE ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH EQUITY (AHE) AND CONTRIBUTES TO THE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF COOK COUNTY DATA FOR THE COLLABORATIVE CHNA. THIS ALLIANCE INCLUDES 37 NON-PROFIT AND PUBLIC HOSPITALS, HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND REGIONAL AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO IMPROVE HEALTH EQUITY, WELLNESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE ACROSS CHICAGO AND SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY. THE PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENT A BOARD CROSS-SECTOR OF ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING HEALTHCARE, COUNTY AND CITY GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING, EDUCATION, FAITH AND OTHERS. FACILITATED BY THE ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE, THE COLLABORATIVE SHARES RESOURCES AND WORKS TOGETHER ON A CHNA PROCESS, INCLUDING DATA COLLECTION, PRIORITY SETTING AND HEALTH IMPROVEMENT IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING FOR THE REGION. DETAILED INFORMATION RELATED TO THE COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT AND PARTICIPATING HOSPITALS, HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS MAY BE FOUND IN THE 2019 COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR CHICAGO AND SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY, AND IS POSTED ALONGSIDE ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC'S 2017-2019 CHNA REPORT ON THE ADVOCATE CHNA WEBPAGE AT: ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC MEDICAL CENTER CHNA REPORT 2019 | ADVOCATE HEALTH CARECOMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCIL (CHC). ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC CONVENED A COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCIL (CHC) CHARGED WITH OVERSIGHT OF THE MEDICAL CENTER'S 2017-2019 CHNA PROCESS. THE CHC IS COMPRISED OF BOTH COMMUNITY AND MEDICAL CENTER REPRESENTATIVES. THE CHC COMMUNITY MEMBERS REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THE MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED, LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY POPULATIONS IN ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC'S COMMUNITY. THE CHC SUPPORTED THE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA AND SELECTED THE MEDICAL CENTER'S HEALTH NEED PRIORITIES. IN ADDITION, FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY, HEALTH EXPERTS AND MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS WAS ALSO AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF THE MEDICAL CENTER'S CHNA. IN AUGUST 2018, THE MEDICAL CENTER'S COMMUNITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ORGANIZED A FORCES OF CHANGE ASSESSMENT (FOCA). THE MEDICAL CENTER'S CHC, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS, AS WELL AS LOCAL MUNICIPAL REPRESENTATIVES, WERE INVITED TO ATTEND THE FOCA TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND INPUT ON THE MEDICAL CENTER'S PRIMARY SERVICE AREA (PSA) HEALTH NEEDS, SOCIAL ISSUES, COMMUNITY STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITIES. GOVERNING COUNCIL (GC). THE ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC GOVERNING COUNCIL IS COMPRISED OF COMMUNITY LEADERS AND EXECUTIVE LEVEL MEDICAL CENTER STAFF. THE GC CONSISTS OF MEMBERS REPRESENTING A BROAD SPECTRUM OF COMMUNITY SECTORS, INCLUDING FAITH COMMUNITY, MEDICAL, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY FIELDS. FOLLOWING CHC APPROVAL, THE CHNA AND SELECTED PRIORITIES PASS TO THE MEDICAL CENTER'S GC FOR APPROVAL. THE ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC GOVERNING COUNCIL APPROVED THE 2017-2019 CHNA AND THE PRIORITY HEALTH NEEDS ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2019. THE ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE NETWORK BOARD APPROVED THE MEDICAL CENTER'S 2017-2019 CHNA REPORT AT THE SYSTEM LEVEL ON DECEMBER 16, 2019.
|
|
PART VI, LINE 6:
|
6. AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE (ILLINOIS) AND AURORA HEALTH CARE (WISCONSIN) MERGED IN 2018 TO BECOME ADVOCATE AURORA HEALTH. ADVOCATE AURORA HEALTH'S ILLINOIS HOSPITALS (ADVOCATE) ARE NOT-FOR-PROFIT AND ARE RELATED TO BOTH THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA AND THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST. THE ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE NETWORK BOARD MEMBERS, LEADERSHIP AND TEAM MEMBERS (STAFF/EMPLOYEES) ARE COMMITTED TO POSITIVELY AFFECTING THE HEALTH STATUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF INDIVIDUALS AND POPULATIONS IN COMMUNITIES SERVED BY THE ORGANIZATION THROUGH PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT THE ADVOCATE AURORA VISION OF "WE HELP PEOPLE LIVE WELL." PRIOR TO 2016, THE COMMUNITY FACING FUNCTION WAS LED BY A TEAM OF ADVOCATE SYSTEM-LEVEL INDIVIDUALS WHOSE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDED VARIOUS COMMUNITY ROLES MORE CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH COMMUNITY RELATIONS. IN AN ONGOING EFFORT TO SUPPORT ITS HOSPITALS IN ADDRESSING COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES, ADVOCATE AURORA'S SYSTEM LEADERSHIP DIRECTED THE FORMATION OF A COMMUNITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN 2016. THE DEPARTMENT IS LED BY A SYSTEM EXECUTIVE AND STAFFED WITH PUBLIC/COMMUNITY HEALTH SPECIALISTS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMUNITY BENEFITS REPORTING, EXECUTING COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION, AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES SERVED BY ADVOCATE. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH TEAM HAS SINCE LED TWO CHNA CYCLES. THE MOST RECENT CHNA REPORTS WERE APPROVED BY THE ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE NETWORK BOARD AND POSTED IN DECEMBER 2019, FOLLOWED BY APPROVAL AND POSTING OF THE HOSPITALS' COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPLEMENTATION PLANS IN 2020. IN OCTOBER 2019, THE ADVOCATE AURORA BOARD APPROVED A COMMUNITY STRATEGY THAT WOULD SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT SYSTEM-WIDE PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS THE HEALTH NEEDS OF PATIENTS, FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITIES SERVED BY ADVOCATE AURORA. THROUGH THIS STRATEGY, WE WILL BUILD HEALTH EQUITY, ENSURE ACCESS AND IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES IN OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH EVIDENCE-INFORMED SERVICES AND INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS BY ADDRESSING MEDICAL NEEDS AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS. BASED ON NEED AND EFFECT ON HEALTH EQUITY, AS IDENTIFIED IN ADVOCATE AURORA'S 27 HOSPITAL CHNA REPORTS AND IN INDUSTRY LITERATURE, ADVOCATE AURORA PRIORITIZED THE FOLLOWING SIX FOCUS AREAS ON WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL HOSPITAL COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPLEMENTATION PLANS ARE BUILT AND SUPPORT, INCLUDING: 1) ACCESS/PRIMARY MEDICAL HOMES; 2) ACCESS/ BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES; 3) COMMUNITY SAFETY; 4) WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT; 5) AFFORDABLE HOUSING; AND 6) FOOD SECURITY. GIVEN THAT ADVOCATE AND AURORA HAVE SEPARATE FEIN'S, THE NARRATIVE WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT PRIMARILY DESCRIBES PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES PERTAINING TO ADVOCATE (AAH ILLINOIS). ADVOCATE'S BOARD, SYSTEM LEADERSHIP AND TEAM MEMBERS ARE FULLY ENGAGED IN PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT SYSTEM AND SITE EFFORTS IN ACHIEVING MILESTONES IN EACH OF THESE COMMUNITY STRATEGY FOCUS AREAS. EXAMPLES OF AFFILIATED SYSTEM PROGRAMS/SERVICES THAT ALIGN WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY STRATEGY AND SUPPORT EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THESE KEY FOCUS AREAS ARE PROVIDED IN THE FOLLOWING NARRATIVE. 1. ACCESS/PRIMARY MEDICAL HOMES. THE FIRST OF SIX KEY AREAS TARGETED BY ADVOCATE'S COMMUNITY STRATEGY IS IMPROVING ACCESS/CONNECTING PATIENTS TO PRIMARY MEDICAL HOMES. ADVOCATE IS COMMITTED TO UNDERTAKING AND SUPPORTING INITIATIVES THAT ENHANCE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, CARE COORDINATION, LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE, CULTURALLY SENSITIVE PROVISION OF CARE, AND PREVENTION EDUCATION AND WELLNESS SERVICES ACROSS THE LIFESPAN AND WITHIN THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES ADVOCATE SERVES. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. ADVOCATE OFFERS A VERY GENEROUS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, REQUIRING NO PAYMENTS FROM THE PATIENTS MOST IN NEED, AND PROVIDING DISCOUNTS TO UNINSURED AND INSURED PATIENTS. PATIENTS EARNING UP TO SIX TIMES THE FPL, AND INSURED PATIENTS EARNING UP TO TWO AND HALF TIMES THE FPL, MAY QUALIFY FOR A FULL OR PARTIAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DISCOUNT. ADDITIONALLY, A CATASTROPHIC ASSISTANCE DISCOUNT IS AVAILABLE FOR UNINSURED AND INSURED PATIENTS WHOSE INCOMES EXCEED THE TRADITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INCOME GUIDELINES AND HAVE OUTSTANDING PATIENT BALANCES OF $25,000 OR MORE FOR A SINGLE DATE OF SERVICE OR SUM OF SEVERAL DATES OF SERVICE. THESE PATIENTS MAY QUALIFY TO RECEIVE A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DISCOUNT THAT REDUCES THEIR OUTSTANDING BALANCE TO 25% OF THEIR NET INCOME. FOR UNINSURED PATIENTS, ADVOCATE WILL PRESUMPTIVELY PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IF THE FINANCIAL STATUS HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IN THESE CASES, THE PATIENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A SEPARATE CHARITY APPLICATION. IF PRESUMPTIVE CRITERIA ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR UNINSURED PATIENTS, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY IS AVAILABLE USING AN INCOME-BASED SCREENING. ADVOCATE EXTENDS ITS INCOME-BASED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY TO ITS INSURED PATIENTS AS WELL. ADVOCATE CONTINUES TO REVIEW AND REFINE ITS POLICY IN AN ONGOING EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO NEED HELP.FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS (FQHCS). ALL ADVOCATE'S HOSPITALS HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH FQHC'S OR OTHER COMMUNITY CLINICS WITHIN THEIR SERVICE AREAS FOR PROVIDING CARE FOR MEDICAID AND UNINSURED PATIENTS. ADVOCATE SHERMAN WORKS CLOSELY WITH GREATER ELGIN FAMILY HEALTH (FQHC), VNA HEALTH CARE AND AUNT MARTHA'S (FQHC) TO COORDINATE CARE FOR LOW-INCOME PATIENTS IN THE ELGIN AREA. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES COLONOSCOPIES AND MAMMOGRAMS TO GREATER ELGIN FAMILY HEALTH PATIENTS, COORDINATED THROUGH GRANT-FUNDED PROGRAMS. ADVOCATE CONDELL WORKS COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE LAKE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER (FQHC) AND ERIE HEALTHREACH WAUKEGAN (FQHC), BY PROVIDING MAMMOGRAMS AND SOME SPECIALTY CARE TO UNINSURED AND LOW-INCOME PATIENTS AS THEY ARE REFERRED TO THE MEDICAL CENTER. ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC AND ADVOCATE LUTHERAN GENERAL ALSO PARTNER WITH HEARTLAND HEALTH CENTERS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH, ONE OF THE LARGEST FREE CLINICS IN THE NATION, TO PROVIDE SPECIALTY CARE TO UNINSURED PATIENTS AND REFERRALS TO FQHCS AND FREE CLINICS FOR PRIMARY CARE SERVICES. IN ADDITION, ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC PROVIDES OPERATIONS SPACE TO HEARTLAND HEALTH CENTERS ON ITS CAMPUS TO PROVIDE PRIMARY CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THAT ARE UNINSURED. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ACCESS TO CARE ORGANIZATION, ADVOCATE CHRIST PROVIDES MAMMOGRAMS TO AREA UNINSURED AND LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE REFERRED BY THE CLINIC TO THE HOSPITAL WHEN THIS SERVICE IS REQUIRED. ADVOCATE TRINITY WORKS WITH CHICAGO FAMILY HEALTH CENTER AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER TO COORDINATE CARE FOR LOW INCOME PATIENTS. TO MAINTAIN QUALITY CARE EXCELLENCE AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE SEEKING CARE FROM ADVOCATE, WORKING TO FIND MEDICAL HOMES AND TO REDUCE EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS AND HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS IS ESSENTIAL. ADVOCATE HAS NUMEROUS PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON MANAGING THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE CONTINUUM OF CAREIN INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SETTINGS, AND IN THE HOME. MEDICAID AND MEDICARE. ADVOCATE ACTIVELY WORKS TO IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE COVERED BY MEDICARE AND MEDICAID AND THAT SEEK SERVICES AT ANY OF ADVOCATE'S 400 SITES OF CARE. ADVOCATE COLLABORATES WITH VARIOUS COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS (CBOS) AND FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS (FQHCS) IN INNOVATIVE WAYS TO ESTABLISH PRIMARY CARE RELATIONSHIPS FOR MEDICAID AND UNINSURED PATIENTS. ADVOCATE CARE ORGANIZATION (ACO). ADVOCATE COLLABORATES WITH MERIDIAN FAMILY HEALTH PLAN (FHP) OF ILLINOIS AS PART OF AN INTEGRATED CARE MODEL FOR PEOPLE ON MEDICAID. ADVOCATE HAS A STRONG HISTORY OF PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY CARE TO THE MEDICAID POPULATION WITHIN ITS NETWORK WITH KEY FOCUS AREAS, INCLUDING IMPROVED CARE COORDINATION, ACCESS AND QUALITY PERFORMANCE. THE RESULT HAS BEEN A REDUCTION IN ED UTILIZATION DUE TO SUCCESSFULLY CONNECTING INDIVIDUALS IN THE PLAN TO A MEDICAL HOME AND DUE TO CONNECTING PATIENTS WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR UNMET SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH NEEDS.
|
|
PART VI, LINE 7, REPORTS FILED WITH STATES
|
IL
|
|
PART VI, 6. AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM CONT.
|
PRIMARY CARE CONNECTION-COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS (CHWS) THE PRIMARY CARE CONNECTION (PCC) PROGRAM, DEPLOYS COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS (CHWS) AS COMMUNITY RESOURCE NAVIGATORS TO SERVE PATIENTS IN THE ED. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY ED VISITS AND TO CONNECT PATIENTS TO A PRIMARY CARE HOME. CHWS EDUCATE PATIENTS ABOUT ACCESSING THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CARE AND PROVIDING FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS TO A CONVENIENT CARE SITE FOR PATIENTS DURING THE ED VISIT. CHWS ALSO CONDUCT A COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT TO IDENTIFY SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND LINK THE PATIENTS TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE PATIENTS' OVERALL WELLBEING. THE PCC PROGRAM HAS REACHED OVER 34,836 PATIENTS SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2017. FROM JANUARY THROUGH DECEMBER 2021, THE PROGRAM SERVED 5,586 PATIENTS WITH A COMBINED 90-DAY READMISSION RATE AMONG ALL PATIENTS OF LESS THAN FOUR PERCENT.ADVOCATE ALSO PROVIDES LANGUAGE AND OTHER CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE SERVICES TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO A BROAD RANGE OF HEALTH-RELATED SERVICES. LANGUAGE SERVICES. ADVOCATE AURORA HEALTH REMAINS VERY COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE OUR PATIENTS RECEIVE THEIR HEALTH INFORMATION IN THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE. PROVIDING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE THROUGH COMMUNICATION IS A KEY COMPONENT TO HEALTH EQUITY AND HEALTHY LIVING WHICH EVERYONE DESERVES. OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS WE HAVE EXPANDED ACCESS TO LANGUAGE SERVICES THROUGH SOME OF THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIES.INTERPRETATION PROGRAM: INCREASED TOTAL ENCOUNTERS FROM 653,528 IN 2019 TO 1,070,256 IN 2021, COVERING OVER 129 LANGUAGES. THIS WAS ACHIEVED THROUGH: ROLLING OUT AN UPDATED LANGUAGE SERVICES POLICY AND EDUCATING ALL TEAM MEMBERS ON THE LANGUAGE SERVICES PROGRAM AND EXPECTATIONS. 71,843 TEAM MEMBERS AND PROVIDERS COMPLETED THIS EDUCATION IN 2021. EXPANDING OUR VIDEO INTERPRETATION CAPABILITIES BY DEPLOYING NEW IPADS, BRINGING OUR TOTAL LANGUAGE SERVICES INVENTORY TO 2165. AS THE USE OF TELEHEALTH INCREASED, WE SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATED INTERPRETERS INTO THE TELEHEALTH PLATFORMS TO CONTINUE COMMUNICATING WITH PATIENTS IN THEIR PREFERRED LANGUAGE. CONTINUING TO EXPAND OUR AUXILIARY AIDS THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM.TRANSLATION PROGRAM: OUR MAIN WEBPAGES HAVE BEEN UPGRADED TO INCLUDE SPANISH TRANSLATIONS WITH PLANS TO INCORPORATE OTHER KEY LANGUAGES. TRANSLATING ALL VITAL DOCUMENTS TO COVER ALL KEY LANGUAGES. EXPANDING ACCESS THROUGH INCORPORATING OUR TEAM MEMBERS AND PROVIDERS. AAH OFFERS CERTIFICATION FOR TEAM MEMBERS AND PROVIDERS WHO ARE BILINGUAL. WE CURRENTLY HAVE OVER 100 APPROVED TEAM MEMBER AND PROVIDERS WITH ANOTHER 252 IN THE PROCESS.ADVOCATE'S LONG-TERM SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT PROMOTE HEALTH EQUITY HAVE RESULTED IN VARIOUS PROGRAMS/INITIATIVES THAT WORK TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF DIVERSE UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS IN THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES. EXAMPLES OF THESE EFFORTS FOLLOW. LGBTQ (LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND QUEER) HEALTH EQUITY INDEX. ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC WAS THE FIRST ADVOCATE AURORA HOSPITAL TO ACHIEVE, SINCE ITS INCEPTION, "LEADER" STATUS DENOMINATION WITH THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION'S HEALTH EQUALITY INDEX. THE HOSPITAL IS ONE OF 496 LEADERS OUT OF 906 PARTICIPANTS. AS THE LEADING LGBTQ SITE, IT HAS BEEN THE FOUNDATION FOR ADVOCATE AURORA HEALTH TO BE THE 4TH LARGEST HEALTH SYSTEM WITH ALL ITS SITES ACCREDITED IN 2022. LEADERS ARE RECOGNIZED FOR POLICIES AND SERVICES SUPPORTIVE OF LGBTQ RIGHTS, INCLUDING PATIENT VISITATION AND EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION, STAFF TRAINING IN LGBTQ PATIENT-CENTERED CARE AND EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION, LGBTQ PATIENT SERVICES AND SUPPORT, TRANSGENDER PATIENT SERVICES, EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, AND PATIENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. IN 2016, ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC CREATED A SITE LGBTQ WORK GROUP WORKING ON AFFINITY, ADVOCATING FOR POLICIES AND PROCESSES AFFIRMING TOWARD LGBTQ PATIENTS AND TEAM MEMBERS. THE MEDICAL CENTER HAS DEVELOPED PROCESSES FOR GENDER EXPANSIVE AFFIRMING IDENTIFICATION AND CAPABILITIES TO CAPTURE GENDER IDENTIFY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION SOGI DATA. ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC'S EXPERIENCE SERVED AS THE MODEL FOR OTHER MEDICAL CENTERS WITHIN THE ADVOCATE AURORA HEALTH NETWORK TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HEALTH EQUALITY INDEX IN 2020, IMPACTING THOUSANDS OF TEAM MEMBERS AND MILLIONS OF PATIENTS ACROSS ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN. THE HOSPITAL WAS FEATURED IN THE HEI 15 YEARS REPORT AS ONE OF 4 INITIAL SURVEY RESPONDENTS AND A MODEL FOR COMMUNITY HOSPITALS PARTICIPATION. DESPITE THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND CHALLENGES THAT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BROUGHT TO THE ENTIRE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, ADVOCATE HOSPITALS CONTINUED THEIR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE AND AFFIRMING CARE FOR LGBTQ PATIENTS IN 2022.CULTURAL HEALTH INITIATIVES. IN MARCH 2021, ADVOCATE LUTHERAN GENERAL HOSPITAL RESHAPED TWO PREVIOUS PATIENT NAVIGATOR POSITIONS PREVIOUSLY SERVING THE POLISH AND KOREAN POPULATIONS AND CREATED A MORE ROBUST CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY LIAISON ROLE. THIS POSITION CONTINUES THE MORE THAN DECADE LONG ADVOCATE LUTHERAN COMMITMENT AND DEDICATED RESPONSE TO THE MULTITUDE AND CONTINUALLY CHANGING DIVERSE CULTURES, LANGUAGES, HEALTH LITERACY AND DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE. THIS POSITION'S PRIORITY IS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO DEVELOPING LIFELONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND TO HELP OUR CURRENT PATIENTS ACHIEVE BEST HEALTH OUTCOMES. THE LIAISON ALSO WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CENTRAL CHICAGOLAND PRIMARY SERVICE AREA (PSA) AND THE COMMUNITY HEALTH AREA TO MEET THE HEALTH CARE, CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF OUR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES. THE LIAISON ASSISTS PATIENTS WHO ARE LIMITED/NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING AND HELPS PATIENTS NAVIGATE THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY, PROVIDES LINGUISTICALLY COMPETENT AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE PATIENT EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND HELPS TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY LIAISON COLLABORATES WITH EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND EDUCATIONAL DISTRICTS TO PROMOTE OUR HEALTH CARE SERVICE LINES AND CONCURRENTLY EMBED AND INTEGRATE THE AAH MISSION OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION INTO THE SIX COMPONENTS OF THIS ROLE. THEY ARE PATIENT NAVIGATION, COMMUNITY RELATIONS/OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT, CULTURAL COMPETENCE, PHYSICIAN RELATIONS/RECRUITMENT AND COMMUNITY HEALTH. THE LIAISON PARTNERS WITH INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING PHYSICIANS, TEAM MEMBERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AROUND CULTURAL SENSITIVITIES OF THE PATIENT'S CARE PLAN AND POSSIBLE ALTERATIONS NEEDED TO FURTHER THE GOAL OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE FOR ALL, WHICH IN TURN PROMOTES AN ENVIRONMENT THAT MEETS THE UNEXPRESSED AND EXPRESSED NEEDS OF ALL THOSE IN THE FACILITY. THIS PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL BARRIERS AND TO ASSESS WHAT EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND HOSPITAL RESOURCES ARE NEEDED THAT SUPPORT CULTURAL SENSITIVITIES TO CONTINUE TO FOSTER GREATER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PROVIDER AND PATIENT/FAMILY AROUND THE PATIENT'S CARE PLAN.
|
|
PART VI, 6. AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM CONT.
|
2. ACCESS/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICESA SECOND ADVOCATE COMMUNITY STRATEGY FOCUS AREA IS ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. ADVOCATE HAS IMPLEMENTED MANY PROGRAMS/SERVICES FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PATIENTS. SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS THAT ADVOCATE HOSPITALS HAVE IMPLEMENTED AND IMPROVE ACCESS ARE PROVIDED BELOW. MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (MHFA). WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY, MENTAL HEALTH IS SELECTED AS A KEY COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITY. MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS, HOSPITAL STAFF, FIRST RESPONDERS AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY CONTINUED IN 2020 AS ONE EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPACT THIS ISSUE. THE EIGHT-HOUR PROGRAM INCREASES PARTICIPANTS' KNOWLEDGE OF SIGNS, SYMPTOMS AND RISK FACTORS OF MENTAL ILLNESSES AND ADDICTIONS, AND INCREASES THEIR CONFIDENCE IN AND LIKELIHOOD TO HELP AN INDIVIDUAL IN DISTRESS. AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC, THE STRUCTURE OF THE MHFA TRAINING WAS MODIFIED SO IT COULD BE HELD VIRTUALLY TO MEET THE COVID-19 IN-PERSON AND SOCIAL DISTANCING RESTRICTIONS AND GUIDELINES. HOWEVER, CERTAIN GUIDELINES WERE UPHELD AND FOR CERTAIN AREAS, IN-PERSON TRAINING WAS PROVIDED. IN THE CENTRAL REGION, ADVOCATE LUTHERAN GENERAL HOSPITAL'S COMMUNITY HEALTH TEAM PARTNERS WITH THE SERTOMA CENTER TO IMPLEMENT TWO, MHFA TRAININGS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL STAFF (EMS) STAFF AND LOCAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. A TOTAL OF 40, HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WERE TRAINED IN PERSON BY TWO MHFA INSTRUCTORS FROM THE SERTOMA CENTER. THE TWO TRAININGS INCLUDED EMS, FIRE FIGHTERS, PARAMEDICS, FIRE CHIEFS, DISPATCHERS, TELE COMMUNICATORS AND SEVERAL OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. ADVOCATE GOOD SAMARITAN TRAINED 20 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) STUDENTS IN MHFA IN 2021. FOLLOWING THE TRAINING, NINETY-SEVEN PERCENT OF PARTICIPANTS AGREE OR STRONGLY AGREE THAT THEY ARE MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT RECOGNIZING AND CORRECTING MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS. IN ADDITION, FIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID TRAINING SESSIONS WERE PROVIDED TO A TOTAL OF 125 FAITH LEADERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN 2021 AND NINE ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH WEBINARS WERE OFFERED TO 109 COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE SOUTH CHICAGOLAND REGION. A TOTAL OF 234 FAITH AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THESE EDUCATIONAL SEMINARFIRST ACCESS PROGRAM GIVEN THE HIGH NUMBER OF ADMISSIONS AND ED VISITS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AT ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC AND THE HIGH NUMBER OF DISCHARGED PATIENTS THAT WERE NOT KEEPING THEIR OUTPATIENT FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS, THE HOSPITAL'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT CREATED THE FIRST ACCESS PROGRAM IN 2013. THE GOAL OF FIRST ACCESS IS TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO FOLLOW-UP BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO SUPPORT RECOVERY AND PREVENT RELAPSES. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ED PATIENTS, AS WELL AS PATIENTS REFERRED BY THE HOSPITAL'S INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC UNIT, MEDICAL FLOORS AND PHYSICIANS, ARE LITERALLY WALKED OVER TO OUTPATIENT CARE BY A STAFF MEMBER TO ENSURE SAME DAY FOLLOW-UP FOR OUTPATIENT APPOINTMENTS. SINCE ITS IMPLEMENTATION, FIRST ACCESS HAS CONSISTENTLY INCREASED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PATIENTS' APPOINTMENT FOLLOW-THROUGH RATES FROM 40 PERCENT IN 2013 TO 100 PERCENT IN 2019. ALL DISCHARGED PATIENTS RECEIVED WARM HAND-OFFS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES AND LEFT WITH AN OUTPATIENT PLAN OF CARE. HAVING ACHIEVED THAT, FIRST ACCESS STARTED TO FOCUS ON PROVIDING ACCESS TO CARE TO ALL ADVOCATE AURORA PATIENTS AND ITS VOLUMES HAVE STEADILY GROWN, PROVIDING 1,828 INTAKES TO PATIENTS IN 2021.MEDICALLY INTEGRATED CRISIS COMMUNITY SUPPORT (MICCS). THE MICCS TEAM AT ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC IS COMPRISED OF TWO CLINICIANS, CASE MANAGER, A REGISTRY CHAPLAIN, REGISTERED NURSE AND A PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST WHO PROVIDE ONE-TO-TWO THERAPEUTIC, COMMUNITY-BASED CONTACTS PER PATIENT PER DAY TO ACUTELY ILL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PATIENTS ON THE NORTHSIDE OF CHICAGO. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT GIVEN THE STATE'S CLOSURE OF NUMEROUS MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS IN ILLINOIS. THE TEAM GOES INTO THE COMMUNITY TO HELP HOMELESS AND INDIGENT PATIENTS WITH SITUATIONS IMPACTING THEIR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, SUCH AS HOUSING AND MEDICATION STABILIZATION, THUS HELPING CLIENTS IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL HEALTH. IN 2021, MICCS SERVED 64 INDIVIDUALS ON THE CASELOAD. IN ADDITION, 100 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED BY THE INJECTION CLINIC, MANY OF WHICH ARE UNIQUE PATIENTS GIVEN THEY DO NOT NEED/RECEIVE INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT. DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PROGRAM. AS BRIEFLY MENTIONED EARLIER UNDER LANGUAGE SERVICES, AIMMC'S DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) TO DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND ADULTS ACROSS ILLINOIS. THE PROGRAM OFFERS A CONTINUUM OF CARE THAT INCLUDES CLINICAL ASSESSMENTS; PRE-SCREENINGS AND LINKAGE; INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY THERAPY; PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATIONS AND MEDICATION MONITORING; AS WELL AS CRISIS INTERVENTION WITH A 24-HOUR PHONE LINE. TELE-PSYCHIATRY IS AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS USING A VARIETY OF METHODS, INCLUDING VIDEOPHONE EQUIPMENT SUPPORTED BY THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) AND TEAMS/ZOOM, THAT SUIT THE INDIVIDUAL'S LINGUISTIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL NEEDS TO ENABLE THE PROVISION OF OTHERWISE SCARCE DEAF-FRIENDLY PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES IN THE HOMES OF DEAF PATIENTS. OVER THE YEARS, THE HOSPITAL HAS DISTRIBUTED SEVERAL THOUSAND FREE ASL DVDS ON HIV/AIDS, STDS, BREAST HEALTH, DIABETES, DEPRESSION, AND SMOKING CESSATION. IN 2021, THE BHS DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PROGRAM PROVIDED 1129 SERVICES TO 61 DISTINCT PATIENTS.COMMUNITY LINKAGE SPECIALIST (CLS). IN RESPONSE TO THE INCREASING RATES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL ILLNESS IN DUPAGE COUNTY, ADVOCATE GOOD SAMARITAN EMPLOYED A COMMUNITY LINKAGE SPECIALIST THAT WORKS WITH DETOX AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH UNIT PATIENTS TO CONNECT THEM TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES AND RESOURCES. THIS INDIVIDUAL ALSO CONDUCTS COMMUNITY AND HOME VISITS WITH DISCHARGED PATIENTS. IN 2021, THE CLS HELPED COORDINATE SERVICES FOR PATIENTS AND CONDUCTED 280 PATIENT CONTACTS VIA PHONE OR HOME VISITS.
|
|
PART VI, 6. AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM CONT.
|
3. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. ADVOCATE WORKS WITH NON-TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS, SUCH AS SCHOOL DISTRICTS, EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AND OTHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BUSINESS LEADERS TO ADDRESS BOTH THE HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES IN SOME CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS AS WELL AS TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOLVING THE CITY'S HEALTHCARE SECTOR TALENT SHORTAGE. ADVOCATE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE (AWI). THE ADVOCATE AURORA HEALTH, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TEAM ORIGINATED FROM A GENEROUS GRANT FROM JPMORGAN CHASE IN 2015 VIA A GRANT ENTITLED THE "ADVOCATE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE" (AWI). AWI WAS CREATED TO ADDRESS HIGH-UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AND EMPLOYMENT DISPARITIES IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO'S MOST UNDERSERVED AREAS. SINCE THE GRANT COMPLETION IN 2020, AAH HAS CONTINUED THIS WORK BY ESTABLISHING A SYSTEMWIDE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TEAM ACROSS WISCONSIN AND ILLINOIS. THIS TEAM HAS CREATED AND CONTINUES TO SCALE PROGRAMS AIMED TO CREATE EQUITABLE WORKPLACE PROGRAMS, MEETING THE TALENT NEEDS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND BUILDING SUSTAINABLE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE, BUT AREN'T LIMITED TO:REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP: LAUNCHING IN 2019, AAH HAS CREATED SEVERAL APPRENTICESHIP MODELS THROUGH THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (DWD) AND THE US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL) TO ADDRESS URGENT TALENT NEEDS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE A FACILITIES MAINTENANCE AND CULINARY ARTS APPRENTICESHIP IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL COLLEGEDIVERSE ABILITIES: SINCE 2017, AAH HAS CREATED A FOCUSED EFFORT TO SOURCE AND EMPLOY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHILE CREATING A MORE INCLUSIVE HIRING PROCESS. TO DATE, AAH HAS EMPLOYED 35 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND HAS OVER A 70% RETENTION RATE.TEAM MEMBER SUCCESS COACHING: LAUNCHING IN MID-2022, THIS EFFORT WILL ADDRESS SOCIAL DETERMINANTS TO RETENTION BY PROVIDING COMPLEX CASE MANAGEMENT AND PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SUPPORTS TO SELECT NEW TEAM MEMBERS FROM THE MOST VULNERABLE TALENT POPULATIONS. THIS EFFORT WILL BE LAUNCHING AT ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC MEDICAL CENTER AND ADVOCATE CHRIST MEDICAL CENTER IN JUNE 2022 WITH TWO "TEAM MEMBER SUCCESS COACHES."CORPORATE INTERNSHIPS: EACH SUMMER, AAH EMPLOYS 20+ CORPORATE INTERNS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY TO INTRODUCE COLLEGE STUDENTS TO CAREERS IN HR, FINANCE, IT AND OTHER CORPORATE FUNCTIONS.COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP: STARTING IN 2021, THE AAH COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AWARDS $5,000 SCHOLARSHIPS TO BOTH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND DEPENDENTS OF AAH TEAM MEMBERS. IN 2022, AAH AWARDED TWENTY, $5,000 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS ACROSS ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN THAT ARE PURSUING STEM-RELATED CAREERS.HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY (HBCU): STARTING IN 2021, AAH PARTNERED WITH SEVERAL HBCUS ACROSS THE NATION TO PROVIDE SPONSORSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS, INTERNSHIPS, MENTORING AND CASE COMPETITIONS FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN COLLEGE PROGRAMS. PARTNER SCHOOLS INCLUDE FLORIDA A&M, CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY AND MOREHOUSE COLLEGE.HERZING UPSKILLING PROGRAMS: STARTING IN 2021, AAH DEVELOPED AND LAUNCHED TWO UPSKILLING PROGRAMS WITH HERZING UNIVERSITY 'STERILE PROCESSING TO SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST AND 'MEDICAL ASSISTANT'. AAH TEAM MEMBERS IN ENTRY-LEVEL ROLES CAN ENROLL IN REGULARLY SCHEDULED COHORTS AS THEY WORK THROUGH ONLINE EDUCATION AND ON-SITE SKILLS TRAINING. TO DATE, OVER 30-TEAM MEMBERS HAVE ENROLLED ACROSS ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN WITH MANY MORE ON THE WAY.MAAPET (MEDICAL ASSISTANT ACCELERATED PATH TO EMPLOYMENT TRAINING PROGRAM): THE MAAPET PROGRAM IS PAID TRAINING PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CENTER FOR HEALTHCARE CAREERS OF SE WI (CHCSEW) AND MADE POSSIBLE BY A $500K GRANT THROUGH THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN'S ADVANCING A HEALTHIER WISCONSIN ENDOWMENT (AHW). THIS PROGRAM, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE REGION'S FOUR LARGEST HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, IS POSED TO TRAIN 100 NEW MEDICAL ASSISTANTS FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES BY 2022. OVER THE COURSE OF THIS PAID, 14-WEEK, ACCELERATED TRAINING PROGRAM, EMPLOYEES OF ALL FOUR SYSTEMS TRAIN TO BECOME MAS AND SIT FOR A NATIONAL MA CERTIFICATION UPON COMPLETION. IN 2021, THE AAH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TEAM IMPACTED ALMOST 4,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS!TRAINING FUTURE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. TO FURTHER THE TRADITION OF PROVIDING MEDICAL EDUCATION TO UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS, NURSING STUDENTS AND STUDENTS IN OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONS, ADVOCATE HAS DEVELOPED LONG-TERM ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS WITH ALL MAJOR UNIVERSITIES IN THE CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AREA FOR THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF STUDENTS IN UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (UME), GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (GME), NURSING UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE EDUCATION AND IN NUMEROUS OTHER ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL FIELDS. MEDICAL EDUCATION (UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION [UME]/GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION [GME]/POST-GRADUATE [CME] MEDICAL EDUCATION. THE ADVOCATE MEDICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S MISSION IS TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF PHYSICIANS THROUGH UNDERGRADUATE (UME) AND GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION (GME), AND TO CONTINUE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADVOCATE PHYSICIANS THROUGH CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (CME). ADVOCATE IS ACCREDITED BY THE ACCREDITATION COUNCIL FOR CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (ACCME) TO PROVIDE CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (CME) FOR PHYSICIANS. ADVOCATE'S CME PROGRAM PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH YEAR-ROUND SCHEDULING AND PLANNING OF ACCREDITED COURSES, SEMINARS AND MEETINGS FOR ADVOCATE AND NON-ADVOCATE PHYSICIANS AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN THE REGION. ADVOCATE'S MEDICAL STAFF SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE THROUGH GRAND ROUNDS, MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY CONFERENCES, AND ENDURING MATERIALAS WELL AS SINGLE ACTIVITIES ADDRESSING A VARIETY OF CLINICAL AND RESEARCH TOPICS. IN 2021, ADVOCATE HOSTED 5915.75 HOURS OF ACCREDITED EDUCATION TO 108,593 PARTICIPANTS, OF WHICH 75,133 WERE PHYSICIANS. DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, MOST EDUCATION WAS PROVIDED VIRTUALLY WHICH EXPANDED OUR REACH TO A BROADER AUDIENCE ACROSS THE ADVOCATE SYSTEM.NURSING EDUCATION. UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE (APN/NP/MANAGEMENT) NURSING EDUCATION OCCURS AT TEN ADVOCATE HOSPITALS AND SUPPORT CENTERS, MANY ADVOCATE MEDICAL GROUP SITES, AND ADVOCATE HOME HEALTH-HOSPICE. NOTABLY, EIGHT ADVOCATE HOSPITALS HAVE EARNED MAGNET RECOGNITION FROM THE AMERICAN NURSE CREDENTIALING CENTER (ANCC), INCLUDING ADVOCATE CHILDREN'S, ADVOCATE CONDELL, ADVOCATE CHRIST, ADVOCATE GOOD SAMARITAN, ADVOCATE GOOD SHEPHERD, ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC, ADVOCATE LUTHERAN GENERAL AND ADVOCATE SHERMAN. MAGNET STATUS REPRESENTS HOSPITAL-WIDE TEAMWORK AND DEDICATION TO CREATING A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT, WHICH HELPS ATTRACT THE BEST PHYSICIANS AND NURSES, RESULTING IN BETTER OVERALL PATIENT CARE. ALLIED HEALTH EDUCATION. ADVOCATE IS COMMITTED TO TEACHING STUDENTS IN A BROAD RANGE OF SPECIALTIES. THESE STUDENTS COME FROM LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES WITH WHOM ADVOCATE HAS CONTRACTED TO PROVIDE EDUCATION. STUDENTS ARE PROVIDED A CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO LEARN IN OVER TWENTY HEALTH CARE DISCIPLINES/FIELDS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: PHARMACEUTICAL; CARDIO DIAGNOSTICS; CARDIAC REHABILITATION; RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE, MRI AND X-RAY; RADIATION THERAPY; EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY; PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH AND RECREATIONAL THERAPY; PSYCHIATRY; BEHAVIORAL HEALTH; RESPIRATORY; AUDIOLOGY; PATHOLOGY; PODIATRY; PHLEBOTOMY; NUTRITION/DIETARY; AND DENTISTRY (DENTISTRY IS ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC).
|
|
PART VI, 6. AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM CONT.
|
SEVERAL ADVOCATE HOSPITALS PROVIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT) EDUCATION FROM BASIC THROUGH PARAMEDIC LEVEL. IN FACT, SOME OF THESE ADVOCATE FACILITIES SERVE AS THE LEAD HOSPITAL IN THEIR COUNTIES/SERVICE AREAS, PROVIDING EDUCATION, STANDARDIZATION OF PROTOCOLS OF CARE AMONG ALL HOSPITALS (NON-ADVOCATE INCLUDED) AND EMS RESPONDERS, AND DIRECTION OF COUNTY-WIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY-BASED, MASS INJURY/CASUALTY DISASTERS. MULTIPLE ADVOCATE SYSTEM AND HOSPITAL DEPARTMENTS ALSO PROVIDE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT.CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION (CPE). ADVOCATE'S SPIRITUAL LEADERS OVERSEE A NATIONALLY ACCREDITED CPE PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR SEMINARY STUDENTS, CHAPLAINS AND LOCAL FAITH LEADERS TO GROW AND DEVELOP SELF-AWARENESS AND SPIRITUAL CARE MINISTRY SKILLS. IN 2021, A TOTAL OF 80 CPE STUDENTS WERE SUPERVISED IN ILLINOIS, NOT INCLUDING THE ADDITIONAL 23 STUDENTS IN WISCONSIN. PATHWAYS TO HEALTH CAREERS. SEVERAL ADVOCATE HOSPITALS PROVIDE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING TO AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT ARE ON AN EDUCATIONAL TRACK TO A HEALTH CARE CAREER. THESE STUDENTS RECEIVE CREDIT TOWARDS GRADUATION IN ADDITION TO HELPING THEM DISCERN IN WHICH HEALTH CARE AREA THEY WISH TO SPECIALIZE. TO GIVE CHICAGO SOUTHSIDE STUDENTS BETTER JOB OPPORTUNITIES, ADVOCATE TRINITY WORKS WITH STUDENTS FROM CHICAGO VOCATIONAL CAREER ACADEMY, AND SOUTH SHORE AND JULIAN HIGH SCHOOLS. THESE STUDENTS ARE ROTATED IN HOSPITAL UNITS TO LEARN MARKETABLE JOB SKILLS. 4. COMMUNITY SAFETY: ADVOCATE ALSO WORKS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY SAFETY/VIOLENCEANOTHER COMMUNITY STRATEGY FOCUS AREA. SOME EXAMPLES ARE PROVIDED BELOW.CENTER FOR FAITH AND COMMUNITY HEALTH TRANSFORMATION. THE CENTER FOR FAITH AND COMMUNITY HEALTH TRANSFORMATION WORKS TO ADVANCE HEALTH EQUITY BY PARTNERING WITH FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO BUILD COMMUNITY, NURTURE LEADERS AND CONNECT THE UNIQUE SPIRIT POWER OF FAITH COMMUNITIES TO PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ABUNDANT LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. THE CENTER IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ADVOCATE AND THE OFFICE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO. CURRENTLY, THE CENTER IS CONVENING A TRAUMA INFORMED CONGREGATIONS NETWORK TO SUPPORT THE CAPACITY OF FAITH COMMUNITIES TO PREVENT TRAUMA AND TO BE PLACES OF HEALING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ADVERSITY IN CHILDHOOD OR THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES.SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINERS (SANE). ADVOCATE CONDELL, ADVOCATE CHILDREN'S AND ADVOCATE'S SOUTH REGION (ADVOCATE'S CHRIST, SOUTH SUBURBAN AND TRINITY) SANE PROGRAMS CONSIST OF SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINERS WHO ARE NATIONALLY, AND STATE CERTIFIED BY THE OFFICE OF THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL. SANES ARE AVAILABLE EITHER IN THE ED OR ON AN ON-CALL BASIS TO PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE, TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE TO SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS SEEKING CARE IN THE ED. THESE HIGHLY TRAINED PRACTITIONERS PERFORM HEAD-TO-TOE EXAMS PERTAINING TO SEXUAL ASSAULT/ABUSE, ADDRESS MEDICAL CONCERNS SUCH AS STI (SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION), HIV AND PREGNANCY, COLLECT FORENSIC EVIDENCE, TESTIFY IN COURT AS EXPERT WITNESSES, AND OFFER ACCESS TO AFTER-CARE RESOURCESSUPPORTING THE VICTIM THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS. IN 2021, ADVOCATE CHRIST SERVED 51 PATIENTS, SOUTH SUBURBAN SERVED 40 PATIENTS, TRINITY SERVED 30 PATIENTS AND CONDELL SERVED A TOTAL OF 82 PATIENTS. THE THREE SANE PROGRAM COORDINATORS WORK CLOSELY WITH A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM, INCLUDING LOCAL RAPE ADVOCATES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES (DCFS) AND PROSECUTORS TO ASSURE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT RECEIVE THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE AT ALL CONTACT POINTS. SANE PROGRAM COORDINATORS ALSO COLLABORATE TO PROVIDE BEST PRACTICE STANDARDIZED SEXUAL ASSAULT CARE THROUGHOUT ADVOCATE SO THAT BY JANUARY 1, 2023, A SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER WILL BE AVAILABLE 24/7, 365 DAYS A YEAR TO CARE FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTED PATIENTS. ADVOCATE'S SANE PROGRAM SERVED 188 SEXUALLY ASSAULTED OR ABUSED, ADULT, PATIENTS IN THE ED IN 2021, HAVING PROVIDED CARE DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19 AND CONCERNS THAT PREVENTED MANY INDIVIDUALS FROM SEEKING CARE IN A HOSPITAL SETTING. IN ADDITION, ADVOCATE CONDELL CONTINUED TO PROVIDE TRAINING REGARDING SEXUAL ASSAULT TREATMENT IN RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY PARTNER REQUESTS FOR EDUCATION FROM RAPE ADVOCACY CENTERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, MEDICAL STUDENTS, AND OTHERS, AS WELL AS INCREASED ITS PARTICIPATION IN COUNTYWIDE HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS AND PREVENTION INITIATIVES.PEDIATRIC PRE-PUBESCENT SEXUALLY ASSAULTED/ABUSED PATIENTS ARE TRANSFERRED TO ADVOCATE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOR SPECIALTY CARE. ADVOCATE CHILDREN'S CHILD PROTECTION AND SANE TEAM PARTNERS WITH AREA CHILDREN ADVOCACY CENTERS, DCFS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROVIDE CARE TO THESE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED/ABUSED CHILDREN. IN GENERAL, VERY FEW PROGRAMS IN ILLINOIS CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF THIS PATIENT POPULATION. SEXUALLY ASSAULTED CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE EVIDENCE COLLECTION ARE REFERRED TO THE PEDIATRIC ED (PED) AT THE ADVOCATE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CAMPUSES IN EITHER OAK LAWN OR PARK RIDGE. IN 2021, 190 SEXUALLY ASSAULTED CHILDREN WERE CARED FOR IN THE PED. SEXUALLY ASSAULTED CHILDREN NOT REQUIRING EVIDENCE COLLECTION ARE REFERRED TO ONE OF THE ADVOCATE CHILDREN'S CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC SANE CHILD PROTECTION NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND ARE SEEN IN THE OUTPATIENT SEXUAL ABUSE CLINICS. IN 2021, 96 CHILDREN WERE SEEN IN ADVOCATE'S OUTPATIENT CHILD PROTECTION SEXUAL ABUSE CLINICS. AS WITH THE ADULT PROGRAM, THE PEDIATRIC PROGRAM COORDINATORS COLLABORATE THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR TO PROVIDE BEST PRACTICE STANDARDIZED PEDIATRIC SEXUAL ASSAULT CARE.ACCLIVUS PARTNERSHIP ACCLIVUS IS A COMMUNITY OUTREACH ORGANIZATION SEEKING TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF DEADLY STREET VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS. ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC, LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTERS SERVING THE NORTH PORTIONS OF CHICAGO AND THE SUBURBS, PARTNERED WITH ACCLIVUS TO PROVIDE OUTREACH INTERVENTION SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE. NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF TRAUMAS AT THE MEDICAL CENTER EACH YEAR ARE VICTIMS OF INTENTIONAL VIOLENCE, SUCH AS GUNSHOTS, STABBINGS AND/OR BATTERY. VIOLENCE, LIKE OTHER EPIDEMICS, IS PREDICTABLE AND OFTEN ENGAGED IN AS AN ACT OF RETALIATION, SO IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY. WHEN VIOLENTLY INJURED PATIENTS FROM THE CHICAGO AREA ARE TRANSPORTED TO ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC, CHAPLAINS NOTIFY ACCLIVUS. ACCLIVUS HAS A HOSPITAL RESPONDER AND A CASE MANAGER ASSIGNED TO EACH ADVOCATE SITE WHO PROVIDE COUNSELING TO PATIENTS AND THEIR LOVED ONES, AIMING TO REDUCE ONGOING CONFLICT IN THE COMMUNITY AND RISK OF RETALIATION. ACCLIVUS' CASE MANAGER SEES THE PATIENTS IN THE TRAUMA CLINIC AFTER DISCHARGE ENSURING COMPREHENSIVE FOLLOW-UP CARE. DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND HOSPITAL VISITOR RESTRICTION POLICIES, ACCLIVUS PROVIDED SERVICES AND REFERRALS TO ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC PATIENTS REMOTELY FROM MARCH THROUGH JULY 2020. THE HOSPITAL RESPONDERS AT ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC SERVED 147 PATIENTS IN 2021, MANY OF WHICH WERE PROVIDED REFERRALS TO EXISTING COMMUNITY RESOURCES. AS OF 2021, ADVOCATE CHRIST MEDICAL CENTER IS NO LONGER PARTNERING WITH ACCLIVUS. ADVOCATE CHRIST NOW HAS INTERNAL TRAUMA OUTREACH WORKERS THAT ARE CONNECTING TO LOCAL OUTREACH ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH COMMUNITIES PARTNERING 4 PEACE (CP4P).
|
|
PART VI, 6. AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM CONT.
|
5. AFFORDABLE HOUSING: ACCORDING TO HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020, DATA INDICATES THAT POOR-QUALITY HOUSING IS ASSOCIATED WITH VARIOUS NEGATIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES, INCLUDING CHRONIC DISEASE AND INJURY, AND POOR MENTAL HEALTH. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT ADVOCATE HAS VOWED AS A FIFTH COMMUNITY STRATEGY FOCUS AREA TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF ED PATIENTS WHO ARE SCREENED POSITIVE FOR HOMELESSNESS BY 5% BY 2025. WHILE WORK TOWARDS THIS GOAL IS STILL EMERGING, SEVERAL ADVOCATE HOSPITALS ARE TAKING STEPS TO PROVIDE PATIENTS WITH A HEALTHY AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO HEAL. FLEXIBLE HOUSING POOL. IN 2021, THE FLEXIBLE HOUSING POOL (FHP) AT ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC PLACED FOUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PATIENTS IN PERMANENT HOUSING. THE FHP PLACED AN ADDITIONAL THREE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PATIENTS IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING. THE MEDICAL CENTER ALSO PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS PLACED IN PERMANENT HOUSING WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.WARMING CENTER. ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC ALSO PROVIDES A WARMING CENTER, A SAFE WARM PLACE FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS TO STAY OVERNIGHT OUT OF CHICAGO'S BITTERLY COLD, WINTERY WEATHER. DUE TO COVID-19, THE WARMING CENTER DID NOT OPERATE IN 2021. 6. FOOD SECURITY. ANOTHER KEY ADVOCATE COMMUNITY STRATEGY FOCUS AREA IS FOOD SECURITY. ACCESS TO FRESH, AFFORDABLE FOOD IS A KEY INGREDIENT IN THE RECIPE TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITYAND IN KEEPING THE COMMUNITY HEALTHY. ADVOCATE IS INVOLVED WITH MULTIPLE NON-TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY. LOCAL FOOD PANTRY PARTNERSHIPS. ADVOCATE GOOD SAMARITAN PARTNERED WITH LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM THAT OFFERS HEALTHY FRESH FOOD, NUTRITION AND COOKING CLASSES TO CLIENTS OF THE PANTRIES. IN ADDITION TO THE FRESH PRODUCE AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROVIDED, AN UNEXPECTED BONUS OF THE PROGRAM WAS THAT PARTICIPANTS BEGAN TO SHARE SOME OF THEIR OWN HEALTHY MENUS WITH EACH OTHER DURING THE SESSIONS, EXPRESSING THAT THEY LOOKED FORWARD TO COMING TO THE CLASSES. DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WORKSHOPS WERE MADE VIRTUAL AND HEALTHY FOOD WAS DELIVERED TO PARTICIPANTS' HOMES. IN 2021, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED 16 VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS SERVING 27 FOOD PANTRY CLIENTS. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF PARTICIPANTS STATED THAT THE WORKSHOPS EMPOWERED THEM TO SUSTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. ADVOCATE GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL-BASED FOOD PANTRY. IN NOVEMBER OF 2020, ADVOCATE GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL'S COMMUNITY HEALTH TEAM IMPLEMENTED A HOSPITAL-BASED FOOD PANTRY PILOT TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PEOPLE'S RESOURCE CENTER AND ADVOCATE GOOD SAMARITAN'S CANCER CARE CENTER, 19 ONCOLOGY PATIENTS WERE SERVED THROUGH THE PILOT PROGRAM IN 2021. THE PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON PROVIDING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE TO HIGH-RISK PATIENTS THAT SCREEN POSITIVE FOR FOOD INSECURITY WHILE VISITING A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. THE GOAL IS NOT TO SERVE AS THEIR LOCAL FOOD PANTRY BUT AS AN IMMEDIATE AID. THE COMMUNITY HEALTH TEAM INCLUDES HEALTH RECIPES AND ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES IN EACH FOOD PANTRY BAG. AS IS THE CASE WITH THE ADVOCATE LUTHERAN FOOD PANTRY MENTIONED EARLIER, THE ADVOCATE GOOD SAMARITAN PILOT WILL CONTINUE FOR SIX MONTHS AT WHICH TIME THE COMMUNITY HEALTH TEAM WILL EVALUATE THE LESSONS LEARNED, BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES IN EFFORTS TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMLAKEVIEW FOOD PANTRY. IN JUNE 2018, ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC ESTABLISHED A HOSPITAL-BASED FOOD PANTRY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF FOOD INSECURE ONCOLOGY PATIENTS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LAKEVIEW FOOD PANTRY, THE MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES DRY-GOOD FOOD BAGS, RE-USABLE WHEELIE GROCERY BAGS AND GIFT CARDS TO LOW-INCOME AND FOOD INSECURE PATIENTS. NUTRITION EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY FOOD PROGRAM RESOURCES WERE ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO ALL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. TO BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS AND TEAM MEMBERS DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE MEDICAL CENTER EXPANDED THE PANTRY TO THREE NEW SERVICES LINES (OB/GYN, FAMILY MEDICINE AND THE DENTAL MOBILE VAN) AND FOOD INSECURE TEAM MEMBERS. IN 2021, THE PANTRY SERVED OVER 80 PATIENTS WITH MOST PATIENTS UTILIZING THE PANTRY MONTHLY. OVER 1,600 POUNDS OF FOOD WAS DISTRIBUTED TO FOOD INSECURE PATIENTS AND TEAM MEMBERS AT ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC. THE MEDICAL CENTER ALSO PARTNERED WITH IRV AND SHELLY'S FRESH PICKS TO PROVIDE FRESH PRODUCE BOXES TO PATIENTS. BOXES WERE DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO THE HOMES OF FOOD PANTRY PARTICIPANTS. IN 2021, IRV AND SHELLY'S FRESH PICKS DELIVERED 312 FRESH PRODUCE BOXES TO 46 FOOD INSECURE PATIENTS. IN 2022, THE COMMUNITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT PLANS TO CONTINUE EXPANDING THE HOSPITAL-BASED PANTRY TO ADDITIONAL SERVICE LINES AND DEPARTMENTS, AND TO UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE DATA COLLECTION AND PROGRAM EVALUATION.COMMUNITY GARDENS. ADVOCATE GOOD SHEPHERD PARTNERS WITH SMART FARM, A LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO BE AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE ON SUSTAINABLE GARDENING AND HEALTHY EATING. SMART FARM MANAGES THE ON-SITE GARDEN ON OVER 10 ACRES OF LAND OWNED BY ADVOCATE. THE HARVEST OF FRESH VEGETABLES IS DONATED TO LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES. ON ADVOCATE SHERMAN'S CAMPUS, A LARGE COMMUNITY GARDEN DRAWS HOSPITAL STAFF AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO PLANT AND MAINTAIN RAISED GARDEN BEDS. IN 2021, ADVOCATE SHERMAN DONATED 640 POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE FOOD INSECURE ACCESSING THE ELGIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT FOOD PANTRY AND THE YWCA OF ELGIN; AN INCREASE WHEN COMPARED TO THE 330.5 POUNDS DONATED IN 2020. OVERALL, ADVOCATE FUNDS MANY SYSTEM LEVEL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON POSITIVELY AFFECTING THE HEALTH STATUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF INDIVIDUALS AND POPULATIONS IN COMMUNITIES SERVED BY ADVOCATE. IN ADDITION TO THE MANY PROGRAM EXAMPLES PROVIDED PREVIOUSLY, ANOTHER SYSTEM-LEVEL FUNDED PROGRAM IS PROVIDED BELOW.FAITH AND HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS. ADVOCATE AURORA HEALTH'S FAITH AND HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM WORKS SIDE BY SIDE WITH FAITH COMMUNITIES TO PROMOTE HEALTH EQUITY BY MOBILIZING THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS AND SPIRITUAL WISDOM. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS A NEIGHBORHOOD MODEL THAT EMBEDS AAH TEAM MEMBERS IN SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOODS IDENTIFIED AS PRIORITIES THROUGH THE AAH COMMUNITY STRATEGY. TEAM MEMBERS WORK WITH A COLLABORATIVE NETWORK OF FAITH COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS HEALTH ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM. IN ILLINOIS WE HAVE NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK PROGRAMS IN SOUTH CHICAGO AND AVONDALE AND ARE FOCUSED EFFORTS ON REDUCING STRESS AND INCREASING SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, MANAGING CHRONIC DISEASE, AND SUPPORTING FOOD ACCESS. FAITH AND HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS ALSO WORKS ACROSS OUR FOOTPRINT ON BUILDING CAPACITY OF FAITH LEADERS AND CONGREGATIONS TO PROMOTE THE WHOLISTIC HEALTH OF THEIR MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE, PARTICULARLY AROUND MENTAL HEALTH. AAH ALSO SUPPORTS A FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE NETWORK OF 27 NURSES THAT SERVE CONGREGATIONS ACROSS THE CHICAGOLAND REGION.
|
|
PART VI, 6. AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM CONT.
|
AT BOTH THE SYSTEM AND SITE LEVELS, ADVOCATE IS WORKING TO EXAMINE AND ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HEALTH INEQUITIES IN OUR COMMUNITIES. TO SUPPORT THE ADVOCATE HOSPITALS IN CONDUCTING CHNA'S, ADVOCATE PURCHASED ACCESS TO METOPIO, A CHNA DATA TOOL. METOPIO IS A SOFTWARE AND SERVICES COMPANY THAT IS GROUNDED IN THE PHILOSOPHY THAT COMMUNITIES ARE CONNECTED THROUGH PLACES AND PEOPLE. METOPIO'S TOOLS AND VISUALIZATIONS USE DATA TO REVEAL VALUABLE, INTERCONNECTED FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE HEALTH OUTCOMES IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. METOPIO OFFERS A DATA, TAILORED TO SUPPORT ALL ADVOCATE AURORA HEALTH HOSPITALS WITH IDENTIFYING HEALTH INEQUITIES IN COMMUNITIES. METOPIO USES THE MOST CURRENT DATA SOURCES AND CREATES TOOLS AND INDICES THAT FOCUS ON THE COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE AAH SERVICES AREAS. THE DATA CAN BE USED TO FOCUS ON SPECIFIC REGIONS, COMMUNITIES, AND HOSPITAL SERVICES AREAS. BELOW IS A DESCRIPTION OF TWO IMPORTANT INDICES FOUND IN METOPIO. HARDSHIP INDEX DESCRIPTION. THE HARDSHIP INDEX WAS ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED BY RICHARD P. NATHAN AND CHARLES F. ADAMS, JR. IN 1976 TO COMPARE SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS BETWEEN COMMUNITIES. IT IS HIGHLY CORRELATED WITH OTHER MEASURES OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, SUCH AS LABOR FORCE STATISTICS, AND WITH POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES. THE INDEX COMBINES THE FOLLOWING TOPICS INTO A SINGLE COMPOSITE VALUE ON A SCALE OF 0-100: CROWDED HOUSING (MORE THAN ONE PERSON PER ROOM) POVERTY RATE FOR HOUSEHOLDS UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ADULTS WITH A HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE OR EQUIVALENT AGE DEPENDENCY RATIO (% OF RESIDENTS WHO ARE <18 OR >65 YEARS OLD, COMPARED TO THOSE OF WORKING AGE) PER-CAPITA INCOME HIGHER VALUES INDICATE GREATER HARDSHIP AND CORRELATE HIGHER WITH POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES. THE INDEX DOES NOT PRESERVE THE RATIO BETWEEN TWO PLACES, SO IF ONE PLACE HAS TWICE THE HARDSHIP INDEX OF ANOTHER, WE CANNOT SAY THAT IT EXPERIENCES "TWICE AS MUCH HARDSHIP" AS ANOTHER PLACE. INSTEAD, COMPARE DIFFERENT PLACES USING THE CONSTITUENT TOPICS. SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX. THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX (SVI) WAS DEVELOPED BY THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) TO HELP PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNERS IDENTIFY AND MAP THE COMMUNITIES THAT WILL MOST LIKELY NEED SUPPORT BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER A HAZARDOUS EVENT, SUCH AS A NATURAL DISASTER, DISEASE OUTBREAK, OR CHEMICAL SPILL. SVI INDICATES RELATIVE VULNERABILITY BY RANKING PLACES ON 15 SOCIAL FACTORS THAT CAN BE DIVIDED INTO 4 CATEGORIES: SOCIOECONOMIC HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION & DISABILITY MINORITY STATUS & LANGUAGE HOUSING TYPE & TRANSPORTATION THE ORIGINAL SCORE IS ON A SCALE FROM 0-1, BUT IT IS MULTIPLIED BY 100 FOR READABILITY ON METOPIO. A HIGHER SCORE REPRESENTS A COMMUNITY MORE VULNERABLE TO A HAZARDOUS EVENT. DETAILED DOCUMENTATION IS AVAILABLE FROM THE CDC HERE .ADVOCATE CONTINUES TO WORK LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY WITH MANY PROMINENT COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ADDRESS SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. EXAMPLES OF THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING. HEALTH CARE ANCHOR NETWORK (HAN). AAH IS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE HEALTHCARE ANCHOR NETWORK WHICH HAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 70 OTHER AREA HEALTH SYSTEM AND HOSPITAL PARTNERS. AAH HAS SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC AND HUMAN RESOURCES ACROSS ITS SERVICE AREA AS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE MILWAUKEE AREA AND THE FOURTH LARGEST IN CHICAGO. TO LEVERAGE THESE RESOURCES, IN 2019, AAH ANNOUNCED A COMMITMENT TO INVEST $50 MILLION TO HELP ADDRESS THE ECONOMIC, RACIAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DISPARITIES THAT IMPACT COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTCOMES AND DECREASE HEALTH INEQUITY. ADDITIONALLY, AAH COMMITTED TO DRIVING COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELL-BEING THROUGH ITS INCLUSIVE, LOCAL HIRING AND LOCAL PURCHASING STRATEGIES AND INITIATIVES.ADVOCATE AURORA $50M INVESTMENT PLEDGE. AAH IS AMONG THE FIRST HEALTH SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENT TO INVESTING IN TARGETED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. THE ANCHOR STRATEGY INVESTMENTS ARE TARGETED TO ENHANCE CRITICAL SERVICES SUCH AS AFFORDABLE OR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND FOOD ACCESS IN COMMUNITIES THAT LEAD TO IMPROVED HEALTH AND DEMONSTRATED DOWNSTREAM BENEFITS TO OUR PATIENTS AND THE COMMUNITY. INITIALLY, THE INVESTMENT WORK WAS DONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCING INSTITUTIONS (CDFIS) TO FUND PROJECTS. ALTHOUGH NOT A PROFIT MAXIMIZING ACTIVITY, THIS INVESTMENT COMMITMENT WILL RESULT IN A RETURN OF THE PRINCIPAL TO THE ORGANIZATION WITH INTEREST TO ENSURE A SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT CAPACITY FOR REINVESTMENT OVER TIME. A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT STRATEGY TEAM WAS FORMED TO PLAN AND GUIDE THE WORKCONSISTING OF FINANCE AND TREASURY, COMMUNITY HEALTH AND OPERATIONS TEAMS TO DEVELOP THE SCOPE AND PROCESS. THE TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEPLOYING $50 MILLION IN LOANS TO CDFIS ACROSS OUR FOOTPRINT BY THE END OF 2025. TO DATE, THE TEAM HAS COMPLETED 4 CONTRACTS WITH LOCAL CDFIS: $25M WITH LOCAL INITIATIVE SUPPORT CORPORATION (LISC) $5M WITH IFF $2.5M WITH CHICAGO COMMUNITY LOAN FUND (CCLF) $1M WITH WISCONSIN WOMEN'S BUSINESS INITIATIVE CORPORATION (WWBIC)ADVOCATE AURORA PURCHASING COMMITMENT. THIS ANCHOR STRATEGY BUILDS ON THE EXISTING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PURCHASING STRATEGIES AND ESTABLISHES TARGETS RELATED TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF LOCAL AND DIVERSE VENDORS WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF THE INVESTMENT STRATEGY ALSO FUNDING STRATEGIC BUSINESSES SUCH AS URBAN AGRICULTURE VENTURES TO QUALIFY MORE BUSINESS AS VENDORS. ON JUNE 9, 2021, AAH ANNOUNCED SIGNING THE "IMPACT PURCHASING COMMITMENT"DESIGNED BY THE HEALTH ANCHOR NETWORK (HAN)TO BUILD HEALTHY, EQUITABLE, AND CLIMATE-RESILIENT LOCAL ECONOMIES THROUGH SPENDING. THE COMMITMENT INCLUDES INCREASING SPENDING WITH MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (MWBES) AS WELL AS LOCAL AND EMPLOYEE-OWNED, COOPERATIVELY OWNED AND/OR NONPROFIT-OWNED ENTERPRISES, BY AT LEAST $1 BILLION OVER FIVE YEARS. AAH WILL ALSO WORK WITH AT LEAST TWO OF THEIR LARGE EXISTING VENDORS TO CREATE HIRING PIPELINES IN THE DISINVESTED COMMUNITIES THAT IT SERVES AND WILL COMMIT TO ADOPTING SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT GOALS. THERE ARE SEVERAL ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES OF EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN CORPORATE OPTIONS THROUGH HUMAN RESOURCE, SUPPLY CHAIN, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND INVESTMENT POLICIES THAT IMPACT THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITIES SERVED BY ADVOCATE.ADVOCATE IS ALSO STRENGTHENING CORPORATE OPTIONS THROUGH HUMAN RESOURCE, SUPPLY CHAIN, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND INVESTMENT POLICIES TO IMPACT THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES.ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP. ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE IS COMMITTED TO GREENING HEALTH CARE BECAUSE IT IS DEEPLY CONNECTED TO THE PURPOSE OF OUR ORGANIZATION HEALTH AND HEALING. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE HEALTH OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE HEALTH OF THE PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE IS INEXTRICABLY LINKED AND THAT A HEALTHY PLANET SUPPORTS HEALTHY PEOPLE. REDUCING WASTE, CONSERVING ENERGY AND WATER, MINIMIZING USE OF TOXIC CHEMICALS, AND CONSTRUCTING ECO-FRIENDLY BUILDINGS FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW ALL THESE EFFORTS HAVE A DIRECT BENEFIT ON THE HEALTH OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES VIA CLEANER COMMUNITIES, HEALTHIER AIR QUALITY, REDUCED GREENHOUSE GASES, AND PRESERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES. AS WE WORK TO REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPACT OF HEALTH CARE, OUR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES HELP EASE THE BURDEN OF HEALTH CARE COSTS BOTH DIRECTLY (LOWER ENERGY COSTS) AND INDIRECTLY (LOWER ENVIRONMENTALLY RELATED DISEASE BURDEN). MENTORING AND EDUCATION. AS WE WORK TO SERVE THE HEALTH NEEDS OF TODAY'S PATIENTS AND FAMILIES WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE NEEDS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS, ADVOCATE HAS COMMITTED RESOURCES TO SHARING LESSONS LEARNED AND BEST PRACTICES WITH OTHER HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS, BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY. ADVOCATE SERVES IN A LEADERSHIP, ADVOCACY AND MENTORING ROLE NATIONALLY THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN SEVERAL HEALTHCARE SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP GROUPS AND ADVISORY BOARDS, ADDRESSING SAFER CHEMICALS IN FURNISHING AND MEDICAL PRODUCTS, GREEN BUILDING, CLIMATE CHANGE, PLASTICS RECYCLING, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PURCHASING: HEALTH CARE CLIMATE COUNCIL HEALTHCARE ANCHOR NETWORK HEALTHCARE PLASTICS RECYCLING COALITION HEALTHCARE FACILITY ADVISORY BOARD PRACTICE GREENHEALTH MARKET TRANSFORMATION GROUP SAFER CHEMICALS HEALTHY BUILDING NETWORK PREMIER ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL STEERING COUNCIL OVERSIGHT AND SIGNATORY OF THE CHEMICAL FOOTPRINT PROJECTADVOCATE ALSO COMMONLY PROVIDES MENTORING TO HEALTH CARE COMMUNITY ON SUSTAINABILITY BEST PRACTICES THROUGH PRESENTATIONS AND WEBINARS, AS WELL AS TO INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
|
|
PART VI, 6. AFFILIATED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM CONT.
|
ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM 2021 ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES: PLEDGED TO POWER ITS FACILITIES WITH 100% RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY BY 2030. REDUCED ENERGY INTENSITY UTILIZATION BY 1.3% FROM 2020. AVOIDED 31 MTCO2E OF GREENHOUSE GASES (EQUIVALENT TO OVER 75,000 MILLION MILES OF DRIVING) THROUGH ECO-FRIENDLY MANAGEMENT OF ANESTHETIC GASES. RECYCLED 2,983 TONS OF WASTE FROM HOSPITAL OPERATIONS. RECYCLED 84 PERCENT, OR 1,090 TONS, OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS. SAVED 26 TONS OF WASTE FROM LANDFILL VIA OUR SURGICAL AND MEDICAL DEVICE REPROCESSING PROGRAMS. REDUCED PAPER UTILIZATION BY 1.6% FROM 2020. CONTINUED OUR DONATION PROGRAM WITH PROJECT C.U.R.E., A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WILL RESPONSIBLY REDISTRIBUTE DONATED MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT TO UNDER-RESOURCED AREAS AROUND THE GLOBE, FOR ALL ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES. IN 2021, ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE DONATED 128 PALLETS OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO PROJECT CURE. SPENT OVER $68,000, OR 84% OF ADVOCATE'S EXPENSES IN SELECT CLEANING PRODUCT CATEGORIES (WINDOW, FLOOR, CARPET, BATHROOM, AND GENERAL-PURPOSE CLEANERS) ON THIRD-PARTY CERTIFIED "GREEN" CLEANERS. INCREASED THE PURCHASE OF HEALTHIER HOSPITALS-APPROVED FURNITURE, MADE WITHOUT SELECT CHEMICALS OF CONCERN, INCLUDING PERFLUORINATED COMPOUNDS, PVC (VINYL), FORMALDEHYDE, FLAME RETARDANTS (WHERE CODE PERMISSIBLE) AND ANTIMICROBIALS, TO 99% OF TOTAL PURCHASES. PURCHASED OVER $1,000,000 OF MEAT PRODUCTS FROM LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY RAISED WITHOUT THE ROUTINE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS (32% OF TOTAL), SUPPORTING THE JUDICIOUS AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN AGRICULTURE WHICH CAN HELP SLOW THE EMERGENCE OF ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA. PLEASE SEE ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE'S PUBLICLY FACING SUSTAINABILITY & WELLNESS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.PROJECT C.U.R.E. (COMMISSION ON URGENT RELIEF AND EQUIPMENT). ADVOCATE IS A MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY DONATION PARTNER OF PROJECT C.U.R.E., THE WORLD'S LEADING MEDICAL SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION ORGANIZATION BENEFITING RESOURCE-LIMITED AREAS ACROSS THE GLOBE. IN 2021, ADVOCATE DONATED A TOTAL OF 128 PALLETS OF MISCELLANEOUS MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO PROJECT C.U.R.E.STAKEHOLDER HEALTH. ADVOCATE IS A FOUNDING MEMBER AND INVESTING PARTNER OF STAKEHOLDER HEALTH, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE HEALTH SYSTEMS LEARNING GROUP. STAKEHOLDER HEALTH IS A LOOSELY ORGANIZED LEARNING COLLABORATIVE OF MORE THAN 50 HEALTH SYSTEMS AND OTHER INVESTED INSTITUTIONS ADVANCING PROFOUND CHANGES NEEDED FOR JUST, EQUITABLE, AND EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE. THE COLLABORATIVE SUPPORTS THREE KEY INTERVENTIONSENGAGE THE SOCIAL COMPLEXITY OF PATIENTS; WORK WITH LARGE-SCALE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS; CAPTURE GREATER VALUE FROM FUNDS ALREADY GOING TO CHARITY CARE. ADVOCATE STAFF SERVE ON THE ADVISORY COUNCIL AND HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN OFFERING THOUGHT LEADERSHIP SINCE ITS INCEPTION. AAH STAFF RECENTLY ATTENDED A MEETING THAT INCLUDED GUIDED CONVERSATIONS BY THOUGHT LEADERS SCOTT REINER, FORMER CEO OF ADVENTIST HEALTH AND CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE REINER FOUNDATION; AND SOMAVA (SOMA) SAHA, MD, EXECUTIVE LEAD, WELL-BEING AND EQUITY (WE) IN THE WORLD AND WELL-BEING IN THE NATION (WIN) NETWORK, AROUND IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF COMMUNITIES.ADVOCATE WORKS TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES AND MAXIMIZE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BY BUILDING AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER DIVERSE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. A PRIMARY VALUE OF ADVOCATE'S COMMUNITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS COLLABORATION WITH PARTNERS, PREFERABLY THROUGH A COLLECTIVE IMPACT MODEL. IN ORDER TO ALIGN INITIATIVES WITH LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES, ALL ADVOCATE HOSPITALS COLLABORATE WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS DURING THE CHNA AND HEALTH IMPROVEMENT (IMPLEMENTATION PLAN) CYCLES. ONE SUCH NOTABLE COLLABORATION IN WHICH ADVOCATE SYSTEM LEADERSHIP PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IS AS FOLLOWS. THE ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH EQUITY (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE HEALTH IMPACT COLLABORATIVE OF COOK COUNTY [HICCC]). ADVOCATE AURORA HEALTH, PRESENCE HEALTH (NOW KNOWN AS AMITA HEALTH) AND THE ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE (IPHI) WERE THE THREE FOUNDING ORGANIZATIONS OF THE HEALTH IMPACT COLLABORATIVE OF COOK COUNTY (HICCC). THESE ORGANIZATIONS INVITED HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND ALL COOK COUNTY NONPROFIT HOSPITALS TO JOIN THEM IN CREATING WHAT IS NOW ONE OF THE LARGEST CHNA AND COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT COLLABORATIVES IN THE COUNTRY. THE INITIAL PARTICIPATING HOSPITALS AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS WORKED TOGETHER TO DESIGN A SHARED LEADERSHIP MODEL AND COLLABORATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-ENGAGED PLANNING PARTNERSHIPS AND STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS TO FACILITATE MORE EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT. IN LATE 2017, HICCC MERGED WITH THE HEALTHY CHICAGO HOSPITALS COLLABORATIVE TO CREATE THE ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH EQUITY (THE ALLIANCE). IPHI SERVES AS THE BACKBONE ORGANIZATION FOR THE COLLABORATIVE AND THE HOSPITALS PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE SHARED ASSESSMENT AND COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLANNING WORK. IN 2019, THE ALLIANCE GREW TO INCLUDE 37 NONPROFIT AND PUBLIC HOSPITALS, SIX LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND MORE THAN 100 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. THE ALLIANCE COMPLETED A COLLABORATIVE CHNA BETWEEN MARCH 2018 AND MARCH 2019 .THIS CHNA CAN BE VIEWED AT ALLHEALTHEQUITY.ORG/FINAL2019 CHNA-REPORT.PDF.PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DATA FROM A DIVERSE RANGE OF SOURCES WERE UTILIZED FOR ROBUST DATA ANALYSIS AND TO IDENTIFY COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS IN CHICAGO AND SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY. FOR THE 2019 CHNA, THE ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH EQUITY BUILT ON THE PREVIOUS COLLABORATIVE CHNA WORK (2016), PREVIOUS CHNA REPORTS FROM MEMBER HOSPITALS, HEALTHY CHICAGO 2.0 (2016), AND WEPLAN 2020 (2016). ADVOCATE CONTINUES TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN LEADERSHIP OF THE ALLIANCE PARTNERSHIP, SERVING ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE. ADVOCATE HOSPITALS, AS WELL AS THE OTHER MEMBER HOSPITALS, PROVIDE THE MONETARY SUPPORT FOR THE COLLABORATIVE'S WORK AND SUPPORT THE COST OF STAFF AND OVERSIGHT PROVIDED BY THE ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE. ADDITIONALLY, ADVOCATE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN LEADING THIS ASSESSMENT WORK AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE, PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE ALLIANCE AGAIN IN 2020.THE PRIORITY AREAS SELECTED BY THE ALLIANCE INCLUDE SOCIAL AND STRUCTURAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, ACCESS TO CARE, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS, INJURY INCLUDING VIOLENCE, AND MATERNAL/FETAL HEALTH. ALL PARTICIPATING HOSPITALS SELECTED SOME OF THE PRIORITIES TO ADDRESS IN THE AREAS SERVED. THERE ARE MULTIPLE WORK GROUPS ADDRESSING THE PRIORITY AREAS AND ADVOCATE STAFF SERVE ON MOST OF THE WORK GROUPS.ADVOCATE PROMOTES ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SYSTEM AND SITE ALIGNMENT BY INCREASING PROGRAM COORDINATION AND DEVELOPING STRONG GOVERNANCE RELATIONSHIPS.SYSTEM OVERSIGHT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH. ADVOCATE HAS TAKEN SEVERAL STEPS TO ASSURE SYSTEM AND SITE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR AND ALIGNMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS. THESE ACTIONS INCLUDE DEVELOPING A GOVERNANCE AND DEPARTMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE SITES AND SYSTEM LEVELS TO LEAD AND SUPPORT EFFORTS, AND TO INCLUDE ADVOCATE'S AMPLE CLINICAL EXPERTISE IN DEVELOPING AND SUSTAINING EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS THAT MEASURABLY IMPACT/IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH.HOSPITAL GOVERNING COUNCILS. COMMUNITY HEALTH IS STRONGLY INTEGRATED INTO ADVOCATE'S GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES. COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCILS, COMPRISED OF COMMUNITY EXPERTS AND HOSPITAL LEADERS, HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED AT EACH OF THE ADVOCATE HOSPITALS. THESE COUNCILS ARE CO-LED BY THE HOSPITAL COMMUNITY HEALTH LEADER AND A HOSPITAL GOVERNING COUNCIL MEMBER. A MINIMUM OF 50% OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE 2019 CHNA REPORT AND 2020-2022 COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPLEMENTATION PLAN CYCLES WERE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES WITH A FOCUS ON PEOPLE WHO REPRESENTED UNDERSERVED AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. DEPENDENT ON THE HOSPITAL, THE COUNCILS MET THREE OR FOUR TIMES DURING THE YEAR.HOSPITAL COMMUNITY HEALTH STAFF ANALYZED AND PRESENTED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY COMMUNITY HEALTH DATA TO THE HOSPITALS' COMMUNITY HEALTH COUNCILS. THE COUNCIL MEMBERS IDENTIFIED THE HOSPITAL SERVICE AREAS' SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS, SUBSEQUENTLY EMPLOYING CONSENSUS-BASED, PRIORITY-SETTING PROCESSES TO DETERMINE THE NEEDS UPON WHICH TO FOCUS. AS PART OF THE PRIORITIZATION PROCESS, THE COUNCILS SCANNED HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY CHALLENGES AND ASSETS, AS WELL AS POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT MIGHT RESULT IN LARGER HEALTH IMPROVEMENT IMPACT.TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2017-2019 CHNA CYCLE DATA ASSESSMENT RESULTS FOR EACH HOSPITAL, VISIT HOSPITAL CHNA REPORTS IMPLEMENTATION PLANS PROGRESS REPORTS | ADVOCATE HEALTH CARE.
|