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Allina Health System
PO Box 43 Mr 10890
Minneapolis, MN 55440
EIN: 363261413
The hospital that you have selected is part of a multi-facility organization that reports community benefit expenditures in the aggregate and not by individual hospital. The data shown below are for the multi-facility organization. We encourage you to contact the individual hospital directly if you would like community benefit information on the hospital.Learn more
Individual Facility Details: Unity Hospital550 Osborne Road
Fridley, MN 55432
Fridley, MN 55432
12 hospitals in organization:
(click a facility name to update Individual Facility Details panel)
(click a facility name to update Individual Facility Details panel)
| Bed count | 275 | Medicare provider number | 240132 | Member of the Council of Teaching Hospitals | NO | Children's hospital | NO |
Allina Health SystemDisplay data for year:
Community Benefit Spending- 2016
(as % of functional expenses, which all tax-exempt organizations report on Form 990 Schedule H)
(as % of functional expenses, which all tax-exempt organizations report on Form 990 Schedule H)
4.63%
Spending by Community Benefit Category- 2016
(as % of total functional expenses)
(as % of total functional expenses)
Community Benefit Spending Compared to Functional Expenses, 2010-2016
Additional data
Community Benefit Expenditures: 2016
All tax-exempt organizations file a Form 990 with the IRS for every tax year. If the tax-exempt organization operates one or more hospital facilities during the tax year, the organization must attach a Schedule H to Form 990. On Part I of Schedule H, the organization records the expenditures it made during the tax year for various types of community benefits; 9 types are shown on this web tool. By default, this web tool presents community benefit expenditures as a percentage of the organization’s functional expenses, which it reports on Form 990, Part IX, Line 25, Column A. (The more commonly heard term, ‘total operating expenses’, which organizations report to CMS, is generally about 90% of the ‘functional expenses’). The user may change the default to see the dollar expenditures.
Operating expenses $ 4,072,739,258 Total amount spent on community benefits as % of operating expenses$ 188,720,078 4.63 %- Amount spent in the following IRS community benefit categories:
Financial Assistance at cost as % of operating expenses$ 21,202,502 0.52 %Medicaid as % of operating expenses$ 81,609,255 2.00 %Costs of other means-tested government programs as % of operating expenses$ 47,521,821 1.17 %Health professions education as % of operating expenses$ 15,494,998 0.38 %Subsidized health services as % of operating expenses$ 2,706,180 0.07 %Research as % of operating expenses$ 4,302,471 0.11 %Community health improvement services and community benefit operations*
as % of operating expensesNote: these two community benefit categories are reported together on the Schedule H, part I, line 7e.$ 12,739,335 0.31 %Cash and in-kind contributions for community benefit* as % of operating expenses$ 3,143,516 0.08 %Community building*
as % of operating expenses$ 433,646 0.01 %- * = CBI denoted preventative categories
- Community building activities details:
Did tax-exempt hospital report community building activities? YES Number of activities or programs (optional) 56 Physical improvements and housing 0 Economic development 5 Community support 10 Environmental improvements 0 Leadership development and training for community members 1 Coalition building 20 Community health improvement advocacy 8 Workforce development 12 Other 0 Persons served (optional) 5,939 Physical improvements and housing 0 Economic development 2,846 Community support 323 Environmental improvements 0 Leadership development and training for community members 75 Coalition building 1,474 Community health improvement advocacy 1,024 Workforce development 197 Other 0 Community building expense
as % of operating expenses$ 433,646 0.01 %Physical improvements and housing as % of community building expenses$ 0 0 %Economic development as % of community building expenses$ 3,943 0.91 %Community support as % of community building expenses$ 79,750 18.39 %Environmental improvements as % of community building expenses$ 0 0 %Leadership development and training for community members as % of community building expenses$ 1,431 0.33 %Coalition building as % of community building expenses$ 111,825 25.79 %Community health improvement advocacy as % of community building expenses$ 16,857 3.89 %Workforce development as % of community building expenses$ 219,840 50.70 %Other as % of community building expenses$ 0 0 %Direct offsetting revenue $ 84,000 Physical improvements and housing $ 0 Economic development $ 0 Community support $ 0 Environmental improvements $ 0 Leadership development and training for community members $ 0 Coalition building $ 0 Community health improvement advocacy $ 84,000 Workforce development $ 0 Other $ 0
Other Useful Tax-exempt Hospital Information: 2016
In addition to community benefit and community building expenditures, the Schedule H worksheet includes sections on what percentage of bad debt can be attributable to patients eligible for financial assistance, and questions on the tax-exempt hospital's debt collection policy. When searching a specific tax-exempt hospital in this web tool, Section II provides information about bad debt and the financial assistance policy, and whether the state in which the tax-exempt hospital resides has expanded Medicaid coverage under the federal ACA.
Of the tax-exempt hospital’s overall operating expenses, amount reported as bad debt
as % of operating expenses$ 54,612,316 1.34 %Is the tax-exempt hospital considered a "sole community hospital" under the Medicare program? NO - Information about the tax-exempt hospital's Financial Assistance Policy and Debt Collection Policy
The Financial Assistance Policy section of Schedule H has changed over the years. The questions listed below reflect the questions on the 2009-2011 Schedule H forms and the answers tax-exempt hospitals provided for those years. The Financial Assistance Policy requirements were changed under the ACA. In the future, as the Community Benefit Insight web site is populated with 2022 data and subsequent years, the web tool will also be updated to reflect the new wording and requirements. In the meantime, if you have any questions about this section, we encourage you to contact your tax-exempt hospital directly.
Does the organization have a written financial assistance (charity care) policy? YES Did the tax-exempt hospital rely upon Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) to determine when to provide free or discounted care for patients? YES Amount of the tax-exempt hospital’s bad debt (at cost) attributed to patients eligible under the organization’s financial assistance (charity care) policy
as % of operating expenses$ 0 0 %- Did the tax-exempt hospital, or an authorized third party, take any of the following collection activities before determining whether the patient was eligible for financial assistance:
Reported to credit agency Not available Under the ACA, states have the choice to expand Medicaid eligibility for their residents up to 138% of the federal poverty guidelines. The Medicaid expansion provision of the ACA did not go into effect until January 2014, so data in this web tool will not reflect each state's current Medicaid eligibility threshold. For up to date information, please visit the Terms and Glossary under the Resources tab.
After enactment of the ACA, has the state in which this tax-exempt hospital is located expanded Medicaid? YES The federal poverty guidelines (FPG) are set by the government and used to determine eligibility for many federal financial assistance programs. Tax-exempt hospitals often use FPG guidelines in their Financial Assistance policies to determine which patients will qualify for free or discounted care.
If not, is the state's Medicaid threshold for working parents at or below 76% of the federal poverty guidelines? Not available In addition to the federal requirements, some states have laws stipulating community benefit requirements as a result of tax-exemption. The laws vary from state to state and may require the tax-exempt hospitals to submit community benefit reports. Data on this web tool captures whether or not a state had a mandatory community benefit reporting law as of 2011. For more information, please see Community Benefit State Law Profiles Comparison at The Hilltop Institute.
Does the state in which the tax-exempt hospital is located have a mandatory community benefit reporting statute? YES
Community Health Needs Assessment Activities: 2016
The ACA requires all 501(c)(3) tax-exempt hospitals to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years, starting with the hospital's tax year beginning after March 23, 2012. The 2011 Schedule H included an optional section of questions on the CHNA process. This web tool includes responses for those hospitals voluntary reporting this information. The web tool will be updated to reflect changes in these questions on the 2012 and subsequent Schedule H forms.
Did the tax-exempt hospital report that they had conducted a CHNA? YES Did the CHNA define the community served by the tax-exempt hospital? YES Did the CHNA consider input from individuals that represent the broad interests of the community served by the tax-exempt hospital? YES Did the tax-exempt hospital make the CHNA widely available (i.e. post online)? YES Did the tax-exempt hospital adopt an implementation strategy to address the community needs identified by the CHNA? YES
Supplemental Information: 2016
This section presents qualitative information submitted by the hospital, verbatim from the 990H record.
- Statement of Program Service Accomplishments
Description of the organization's program service accomplishments for each of its three largest program services, as measured by expenses. Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations are required to report the amount of grants and allocations to others, the total expenses, and revenue, if any, for each program service reported.
4A (Expenses $ 3035054624 including grants of $ 3321758) (Revenue $ 4075025508) PROVIDING MEDICAL SERVICESHOSPITAL, MEDICAL AND OTHER HEALTH CARE SERVICESALLINA HEALTH DELIVERS HIGH QUALITY HOSPITAL, MEDICAL AND OTHER HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO PATIENTS IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. AS A MISSION-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION, ALLINA HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE LIFELONG HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES. ALLINA HEALTH PROVIDES THESE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS FAMILY OF HOSPITALS WHICH INCLUDE:ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL - MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTALOCATED IN SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL IS THE TWIN CITIES' LARGEST NOT-FOR-PROFIT HOSPITAL. ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN IS KNOWN AROUND THE REGION AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES FOR ITS CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE: CANCER CARE THROUGH THE VIRGINIA PIPER CANCER INSTITUTE; CARDIOVASCULAR SERVICES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS HEART INSTITUTE; THE SPINE INSTITUTE; NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE; ORTHOPAEDIC INSTITUTE; PERINATOLOGY, OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY THROUGH WOMENCARE AND PHYSICAL REHABILITATION THROUGH COURAGE KENNY REHABILITATION INSTITUTE.BUFFALO HOSPITAL - BUFFALO, MINNESOTALOCATED IN THE WESTERN METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY OF BUFFALO, BUFFALO HOSPITAL IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE NATION'S 100 TOP HOSPITALS ACCORDING TO THOMSON REUTERS. BUFFALO HOSPITAL PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY, PERSONAL CARE IN PRIVATE ROOMS. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES MANY SPECIALTY SERVICES INCLUDING THE BIRTH CENTER, CARDIAC CENTER, EMERGENCY SERVICES, SLEEP CENTER, PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE, COURAGE KENNY REHABILITATION INSTITUTE AND VIRGINIA PIPER CANCER INSTITUTE.CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER - CAMBRIDGE, MINNESOTALOCATED IN THE COMMUNITY OF CAMBRIDGE, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER IS A REGIONAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO RESIDENTS OF ISANTI COUNTY. THE MEDICAL CENTER IS COMPRISED OF A LARGE MULTI-SPECIALTY CLINIC AND A HOSPITAL ON ONE LARGE CAMPUS. DEDICATED TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF ITS PATIENTS, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER PROVIDES AN ATMOSPHERE THAT PROMOTES HEALING AND COMFORT.DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL - FARIBAULT, MNLOCATED JUST SOUTH OF THE TWIN CITIES IN FARIBAULT, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL PROVIDES A BROAD RANGE OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES: BIRTH CENTER, COURAGE KENNY REHABILITATION INSTITUTE, CARDIOPULMONARY REHABILITATION, DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING, EMERGENCY, GENERAL SURGERY, LABORATORY, PHARMACY, SLEEP STUDY AND VIRGINIA PIPER CANCER INSTITUTE . THE DYNAMIC HEALTH CARE CAMPUS ALSO INCLUDES THE ALLINA HEALTH FARIBAULT CLINIC AND MAYO CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM-FARIBAULT. MERCY HOSPITAL - COON RAPIDS, MINNESOTALOCATED IN COON RAPIDS, MERCY HOSPITAL OFFERS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AND COMPASSIONATE HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO NORTH METRO COMMUNITIES. AMONG THE SERVICES PROVIDING CUTTING-EDGE CARE ARE HEART & VASCULAR CENTER, CANCER CARE, THE MOTHER BABY CENTER, EMERGENCY SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND A WIDE RANGE OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT GROUPS. NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER - NEW ULM, MINNESOTALOCATED IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER (NUMC) CONSISTS OF A HOSPITAL AND CLINIC THAT SERVES THE REGION IN AND AROUND BROWN COUNTY. NUMC OFFERS AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF HEALTH CARE OPTIONS, INCLUDING FAMILY PRACTICE, INTERNAL MEDICINE, GENERAL SURGERY, PEDIATRICS, ORTHOPEDICS, OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, RADIOLOGY, EMERGENCY MEDICINE, PSYCHIATRY, PODIATRY, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HOME CARE AND HOSPICE. AS A FULLY INVOLVED MEMBER OF ITS COMMUNITY, NUMC CONTINUALLY FOSTERS AN ATMOSPHERE OF WELL BEING OUTSIDE ITS FOUR WALLS THROUGH A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY-FOCUSED INITIATIVES.OWATONNA HOSPITAL - OWATONNA, MINNESOTALOCATED SOUTH OF THE TWIN CITIES METROPOLITAN AREA, OWATONNA HOSPITAL PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE CARE TO PATIENTS IN AND AROUND STEELE COUNTY. OWATONNA HOSPITAL HAS HELPED TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF ITS PATIENTS AND THE COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 110 YEARS. THE 38-BED REPLACEMENT HOSPITAL THAT OPENED IN OCTOBER 2009 FEATURES INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES IN CONTEMPORARY HOSPITAL DESIGN. THE HOSPITAL OFFERS A FULL RANGE OF INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT AND EMERGENCY CARE SERVICES.PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE - MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTALOCATED IN MINNEAPOLIS, PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE IS THE THIRD LARGEST SPECIALTY EYE HOSPITAL IN THE U.S., SPECIALIZING IN THE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND CARE OF EYE DISORDERS AND DISEASES. PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE DRAWS PATIENTS FROM A FIVE-STATE REGION WITH AN EXTENSIVE ARRAY OF SERVICES, RANGING FROM DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND VISION REHABILITATION TO LASER EYE TREATMENTS AND SPECIALIZED EYE SURGERY.REGINA MEDICAL CENTER - HASTINGS, MNLOCATED IN HASTINGS, REGINA HOSPITAL PROVIDES HEALTH CARE SERVICES INCLUDING, PRIMARY CARE, INTERNAL MEDICINE, GENERAL SURGERY, ORTHOPEDICS, OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, PEDIATRICS, EMERGENCY MEDICINE, INPATIENT GERIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH, UROLOGY AND OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE. SINCE ITS FOUNDATION, REGINA HOSPITAL CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN ITS CATHOLIC HERITAGE FOCUSING ON SERVING THE WHOLE PERSON - MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT. THE HASTINGS CAMPUS INCLUDES SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES, TWO ALLINA HEALTH CLINICS AND A SURGERY CENTER.RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL - RIVER FALLS, WISCONSINLOCATED IN WESTERN WISCONSIN, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL IS PART OF A SHARED MEDICAL CAMPUS THAT PROVIDES EASY ACCESS TO HOSPITAL SERVICES AS WELL AS PRIMARY CARE AND SPECIALTY CLINICS, A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY AND A WELLNESS AND FITNESS CENTER. RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY PATIENT FOCUSED CARE AT THEIR RIVERS CANCER CENTER, BIRTH CENTER AND SLEEP CENTER. RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL PROVIDES PATIENTS A FULL RANGE OF INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES INCLUDING SURGICAL, CARDIOVASCULAR AND REHABILITATION SERVICES.UNITED HOSPITAL ST. PAUL, MINNESOTALOCATED IN DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL, UNITED HOSPITAL IS THE LARGEST HOSPITAL IN THE TWIN CITIES EAST METRO AREA. UNITED HAS A REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT CARE AND STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES, WITH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS SUCH AS CARDIOVASCULAR SERVICES (INCLUDING NASSEFF HEART CENTER, WOMEN'S HEART CENTER AND VASCULAR CENTER); NASSEFF NEUROSCIENCE CENTER; AND PSYCHIATRY, WOMEN'S HEALTH, SURGICAL, REHABILITATION AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.UNITY HOSPITAL FRIDLEY, MINNESOTALOCATED IN FRIDLEY, UNITY HOSPITAL PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO THE NORTH METRO AREA, INCLUDING A RENOWNED BARIATRIC [SURGICAL WEIGHT LOSS] CENTER. OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE MEDICAL SURGICAL CARE, CANCER CARE, EMERGENCY SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES INCLUDING GERIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH. UNITY ALSO OFFERS A COMPLETE ARRAY OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT GROUPS TO PATIENTS AND THE COMMUNITY. BEGINNING IN 2017, UNITY HOSPITAL IS CONSIDERED A CAMPUS OF MERCY HOSPITAL.ALLINA HEALTH ALSO PROVIDES SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS FAMILY OF CLINICS. WITH MORE THAN 90 CLINICS THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN, WE PROVIDE PRIMARY CARE, SPECIALTY CARE AND URGENT CARE SERVICES TO PEOPLE IN OVER 40 COMMUNITIES. ALLINA AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF PRIMARY AND SPECIALTY HEALTH CARE SERVICES INCLUDING TECHNICALLY ADVANCED INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT CARE, 24-HOUR EMERGENCY CARE, MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION, PHARMACY, LABORATORY, HOME CARE AND HOSPICE SERVICES. MORE THAN 750 HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS HELP PATIENTS IDENTIFY HEALTH RISKS, MANAGE CHRONIC ILLNESS AND FIND THEIR PATH TO BETTER HEALTH. ALLINA HEALTH ALSO OPERATES ADDITIONAL SERVICES WHICH INCLUDE:HOME CARE, HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CAREHOME OXYGEN AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENTMEDICAL LABORATORIESMEDICAL TRANSPORTATION PHARMACYPHYSICAL REHABILITATIONIN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH EXPENDED OVER $3 BILLION TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO PATIENTS THAT INCLUDED 4,500,000 CLINIC VISITS, 109,091 INPATIENT ADMISSIONS AND 1,500,000 HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT VISITS. THERE WERE 343,083 EMERGENCY CARE VISITS, 378,380 HOMECARE AND HOSPICE VISITS, AND OVER 15,500 BIRTHS AT ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT HTTP://WWW.ALLINAHEALTH.ORG.SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICESALLINA HEALTH SUBSIDIZES CERTAIN NECESSARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDE 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THOSE LOCATED IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED OR HIGH-NEED AREAS, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH EXPENDED $2,706,180 TO MAKE AVAILABLE AND PROVIDE THESE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.
4B (Expenses $ 390122934 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 0) COST OF PARTICIPATING IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMSALLINA HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO SERVING ALL PERSONS IN NEED, REGARDLESS OF RACE, CREED, SEX, NATIONALITY, RELIGION, DISABILITY, AGE, OR ABILITY TO PAY. TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO CARE FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS, ALLINA HEALTH PARTICIPATES IN THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS: MEDICARE, MEDICAID, MINNESOTACARE, AND GENERAL ASSISTANCE. PAYMENTS FROM THESE PROGRAMS FREQUENTLY DO NOT COVER THE COSTS ALLINA HEALTH INCURS TO SERVE PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PROVIDED $390,122,934 IN HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN EXCESS OF THE REIMBURSEMENT RECEIVED BY PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND SURCHARGES, TAXES AND FEES RELATED TO THESE PROGRAMS. THE FOLLOWING IS A BREAKDOWN ON COSTS RELATED TO THESE PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ADDITIONAL TAXES AND FEES.COSTS IN EXCESS OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PAYMENTSALLINA HEALTH PROVIDES SERVICES TO PUBLIC PROGRAM ENROLLEES. SUCH PUBLIC PROGRAMS HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN REIMBURSED AT AMOUNTS LESS THAN COST. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH EXPENDED $256,210,992 BEYOND REIMBURSEMENTS TO PROVIDE CARE FOR MEDICARE PATIENTS AND AN ADDITIONAL $56,767,977 BEYOND REIMBURSEMENTS FOR MEDICAID PATIENTS. MEDICAID SURCHARGEALLINA HEALTH IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE MEDICAID SURCHARGE PROGRAM. THE CURRENT PROGRAM INCLUDES A 1.56% SURCHARGE ON A HOSPITAL'S NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE (EXCLUDING MEDICARE REVENUE). REPORTED AMOUNTS ARE NET OF ANY DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE ADJUSTMENTS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PAID $24,841,273 FOR THE MEDICAID SURCHARGE. MINNESOTACARE TAXALLINA HEALTH ALSO PARTICIPATES IN THE FUNDING OF MEDICAL CARE FOR THE UNINSURED THROUGH A MINNESOTACARE TAX OF 2% ON CERTAIN NET REVENUE. PATIENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO GET INSURANCE THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYER ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN MINNESOTACARE IF THEY MEET RESIDENCY AND INCOME GUIDELINES. ALLINA HEALTH PAID $47,521,821 FOR THE MINNESOTACARE TAX IN 2016. TAXES AND FEES ALLINA HEALTH PAYS PROPERTY TAXES TO LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT USED IN FUNDING CIVIL AND EDUCATION SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. IN TOTAL, ALLINA HEALTH PAID $4,780,871 IN TAXES AND FEES IN 2016.
4C (Expenses $ 53301220 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ -85603569) UNCOMPENSATED CARE:CHARITY CAREALLINA HEALTH PROVIDES MEDICAL CARE WITHOUT CHARGE OR AT REDUCED COST TO RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT IT SERVES THROUGH THE PROVISION OF CHARITY CARE. OUR PARTNERS CARE WAS ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST PATIENTS WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE SUCH AS MEDICAID AND WHOSE ANNUAL INCOMES ARE AT OR BELOW 275% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. CHARITY CARE DOES NOT INCLUDE BAD DEBT (CHARGES WRITTEN OFF FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO PERSONS ABLE, BUT UNWILLING, TO PAY FOR THESE SERVICES). THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, ALLINA HEALTH STRIVES TO ENSURE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY RECEIVE QUALITY MEDICAL CARE; REGARDLESS OF ABILITY TO PAY. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PROVIDED $21,202,503 IN CHARITY CARE.UNINSURED DISCOUNT PROGRAMFOR UNINSURED PATIENTS WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID OR MEET THE FINANCIAL THRESHOLD FOR CHARITY CARE, BUT REQUIRE SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, ALLINA HEALTH PROVIDES A SLIDING SCALE DISCOUNT. ALL UNINSURED PATIENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A MINIMUM OF A 24 PERCENT DISCOUNT ON BILLED CHARGES AND MAY QUALIFY FOR DISCOUNTS UP TO 44 PERCENT BASED ON ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PROVIDED $32,098,717 IN SUCH DISCOUNTS TO LOW-INCOME, UNINSURED INDIVIDUALS. BAD DEBT - BAD DEBT WILL BE REPORTED AS A REDUCTION TO REVENUE. ALLINA HEALTH PROVIDES MEDICAL CARE TO ALL IN NEED. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN PATIENT ACCOUNT BALANCES GO UNPAID, KNOWN AS BAD DEBT. THESE BAD DEBT AMOUNTS IN 2016 TOTALED $85,603,569.
4D (Expenses $ 36113966 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 0) COMMUNITY SERVICES:IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH CONTRIBUTED $36,113,966 TO COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO ADVANCE THE HEALTH OF THE BROADER COMMUNITY. BELOW ARE EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ALLINA HEALTH PROVIDES WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE THAT OFFER COMMUNITY BENEFIT. COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT SERVICESACCORDING TO IRS REPORTING CATEGORIES AND THE CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION (CHA/VHA) GUIDELINES, COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT SERVICES INCLUDE ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HEALTH THAT ARE SUBSIDIZED BY THE HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION AND DO NOT GENERATE INPATIENT OR OUTPATIENT BILLS. ALLINA HEALTH PROVIDES MANY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT FALL UNDER THIS CATEGORY. A FEW EXAMPLES INCLUDE: HEALTH POWERED KIDS DEVELOPED BY EXPERTS AT ALLINA HEALTH, HEALTH POWERED KIDS IS AN ONLINE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. THE LESSONS SUPPORT NATIONAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHING STANDARDS, SO TEACHERS ARE ABLE TO CROSS-REFERENCE HEALTH POWERED KIDS LESSONS WITHIN EXISTING LESSON PLANS. OFFERED AS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE, HOME SCHOOL FAMILIES, CHILD CARE PROFESSIONALS, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EDUCATORS AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS USE HEALTH POWERED KIDS LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES. HEALTH POWERED KIDS INCLUDES: -MORE THAN 60 ONLINE LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES ON NUTRITION, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND MIND-BODY BALANCE FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14-INTERACTIVE LESSONS COMPATIBLE WITH SMART BOARD AND PROMETHEAN SOFTWARE FOR EDUCATIONAL/CLASSROOM SETTINGS-ENGLISH AND SPANISH PARENT TAKE-HOME NEWSLETTERS-A BLOG, RECIPES AND A FAMILY PAGECHANGE TO CHILL.ORG - CHANGE TO CHILL WAS CREATED BY ALLINA HEALTH AS A FREE ONLINE RESOURCE TO HELP TEENS GET PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT MATTERS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN NOVEMBER OF 2014, MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REACHED EITHER THROUGH DIRECT OUTREACH, VISITS TO THE WEBSITE CHANGETOCHILL.ORG OR THROUGH CLASSROOM CURRICULUM. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE, EASY-TO-USE INFORMATION ABOUT STRESS-WHAT IT IS, WHAT CAN TRIGGER IT AND HOW TO BEST MANAGE IT. TEENS CAN WATCH, LISTEN AND LEARN ABOUT SIMPLE BREATHING TECHNIQUES, MEDITATION, WAYS TO FOCUS AND VALUES. NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION (NHC) - IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDED HEALTHY ACTIVITY GRANTS TO 58 ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS OF NEIGHBORS IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. GRANTS WERE USED TO HELP PEOPLE MAKE NEW PERSONAL CONNECTIONS AND STRENGHTHEN EXISTING ONES THROUGH HEALTHY ACTIVITIES. MORE THAN 2,700 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN ACTIVITIES THAT WERE SUPPORTED BY HEALTHY ACTIVITY GRANTS. MEDELIGIBLE MEDELIGIBLE SERVICES SUPPORT PATIENTS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY PAYING THEIR MEDICAL BILLS. THE STAFF HELPS PATIENTS APPLY TO FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY AID PROGRAMS SUCH AS MEDICAID, MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY, FOOD STAMPS, EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER. MEDELIGIBLE SERVICES EDUCATES PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES ABOUT THE ADVANTAGES OF THESE PROGRAMS AND WORKS WITH THEM TO GET THE HELP THEY NEED. HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION ALLINA HEALTH ACTIVELY SUPPORTS NUMEROUS MEDICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES FOR PROVIDERS, HEALTH CARE STUDENTS AND OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH INVESTED OVER $15 MILLION IN INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, MENTORING PARTNERSHIPS, AND GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMING. ALLINA HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO THE EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND ENSURES THE AVAILABILITY OF A HIGHLY TRAINED WORKFORCE TO MEET THE COMMUNITY'S HEALTH CARE NEEDS. RESEARCH ALLINA HEALTH PARTICIPATES IN CLINICAL AND COMMUNITY HEALTH RESEARCH THAT IS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING COMMUNITY HEALTH. ALLINA HEALTH INVESTED MORE THAN $ 12 MILLION TOWARD THIS RESEARCH IN 2016, WITH $4,302,471 REPORTED FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND ADDITIONAL $8 MILLION IN RESTRICTED GRANTS OFF-SET FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORTING PURPOSES. FINANCIAL AND IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONSALLINA HEALTH PROVIDES NUMEROUS IN-KIND AND MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO INDIVIDUALS AND OTHER NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY NEEDS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH FUNDED OVER $3.1 MILLION FOR DONATIONS OF EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, FREE MEALS, STAFF TIME AND SPONSORSHIP OF VARIOUS CIVIC AWARDS, COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. COMMUNITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIESALLINA HEALTH AND ITS EMPLOYEES ARE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES THAT TARGET THE ROOT CAUSES OF HEALTH PROBLEMS, SUCH AS POVERTY, HOMELESSNESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. EXAMPLES INCLUDE COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ADVOCACY, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, PARTICIPATING IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY COALITIONS AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLANNING. COMMUNITY BENEFIT OPERATIONSALLINA HEALTH USES DEDICATED STAFF FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS AND NEEDS. FOR MORE, PLEASE VISIT HTTP://WWW.ALLINAHEALTH.ORG/ABOUT-US/COMMUNITY-INVOLVEMENT/AWARDSIN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH WAS RECOGNIZED FOR ITS WORK RELATED TO COMMUNITY BENEFIT, INCLUDING MN BUSINESS MAGAZINE'S 2016 LEADERS IN HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY OUTREACH AWARD FOR THE CHANGE TO CHILL PROGRAM.IN MARCH 2016, TRUVEN HEALTH ANALYTICS NAMED MERCY HOSPITAL ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP 100 HOSPITALS IN THE LARGE COMMUNITY HOSPITALS GROUP.
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Facility Information
Schedule H (Form 990) Section C. Supplemental Information for Part V, Section B.
PART V, SECTION B FACILITY REPORTING GROUP A
FACILITY REPORTING GROUP A CONSISTS OF: - FACILITY 1: ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, - FACILITY 2: UNITED HOSPITAL, - FACILITY 3: MERCY HOSPITAL, - FACILITY 4: UNITY HOSPITAL, - FACILITY 5: CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, - FACILITY 6: BUFFALO HOSPITAL, - FACILITY 7: NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, - FACILITY 8: OWATONNA HOSPITAL, - FACILITY 9: REGINA HOSPITAL, - FACILITY 11: RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL, - FACILITY 12: PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE
GROUP A-FACILITY 1 -- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: WE FIRST PUBLICIZED AN ONLINE SURVEY ON OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS IN ORDER TO GATHER GENERAL INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 1,000 RESPONSES TO THIS SURVEY-APPROXIMATELY 900 EMPLOYEES AND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.NEXT, WE HELD TWENTY-TWO COMMUNITY DIALOGUES OR FOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE GEOGRAPHY SERVED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM FEBRUARY-APRIL 2016. THE DIALOGUES WERE FACILITATED AND ORGANIZED BY A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR (THE IMPROVE GROUP) WITH EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISCUSSIONS OF KEY HEALTH ISSUES. MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE DIALOGUES/FOCUS GROUPS, PLANNING TEAMS THAT REVIEWED DATA AND COMMUNITY INPUT, OR BOTH. THE ATTENDEES WERE DIVERSE IN TERMS OF AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HELD ONE FOCUS GROUP FOR THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WITH INTERPRETATION, NEAR OUR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP SPECIFIC TO THE LIBERIAN COMMUNITY NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, INFORMAL AND FORMAL INTERPRETERS WERE USED AS NEEDED IN OUR EAST METRO AND SOUTH METRO DIALOGUES. DIALOGUES WERE ALSO HELD AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE HELD AT A PUBLIC HOUSING SITE IN ITS COMMUNITY ROOM.SOME COMMUNITY DIALOGUES WERE WELL-ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SERVE DIVERSE INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES, WHILE OTHERS WERE WELL- ATTENDED BY RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TIES. INVITATIONS WERE BROADLY SHARED TO GATHER AS MUCH DIVERSE INPUT AS POSSIBLE. SOME DIALOGUES WERE REPEATED OR RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED, IF WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO LOW ATTENDANCE/RSVPS. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF SPECIFIC INPUT THAT WAS SOUGHT BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED.
GROUP A-FACILITY 1 -- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE 12 ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS - ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, UNITED HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL, UNITY HOSPITAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, BUFFALO HOSPITAL, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, OWATONNA HOSPITAL, REGINA HOSPITAL, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE USE A COORDINATED APPROACH AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON A GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL COMMUNITY BASIS. EACH REGIONAL CHNA CONTAINED ONLY ONE ALLINA HOSPITAL FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- MERCY HOSPITAL AND UNITY HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND OWATONNA HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY- REGINA HOSPITAL AND UNITED HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY
GROUP A-FACILITY 1 -- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (SFRMC), A RELATED ORGANIZATION OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (AHS) WAS INCLUDED IN THE AHS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE SOUTH METRO REGION AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED BELOW.MINNESOTA:ANOKA, BROWN, CARVER, DAKOTA, HENNEPIN, ISANTI, RAMSEY, STEELE, SCOTT, WASHINGTON, AND WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. WISCONSIN:PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.IN SOME CASES, THE CHNA IS CONSIDERED A JOINT PRODUCT THROUGH FORMAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS THE HEALTHIER TOGETHER PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
GROUP A-FACILITY 1 -- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: "ALLINA HEALTH LAST ASSESSED COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH THIS FORMAL PROCESS IN 2016. ACROSS THE ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO PRIMARY NEEDS ARE NOW BEING ADDRESSED 2017-2019: HEALTHY WEIGHT (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM-WIDE INITIATIVES IN THESE AREAS INCLUDE: - CHANGE TO CHILL - (CTC) IS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES STRESS REDUCTION TIPS, LIFE BALANCE TECHNIQUES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEENS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2014, CTC HAS SERVED MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHO USE IT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEENS WHO USE IT IN SOCIAL GROUPS AND PARENTS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD STRESS LESS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PILOTED AN IN-PERSON DELIVERY MODEL OF THE CTC PROGRAM IN A TOTAL OF 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT FIVE COMMUNITIES ALLINA HEALTH SERVES. FIFTEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 253 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOL LIAISONS. MANY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THEY INTENDED TO USE WHAT THEY LEARNED AND GAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM. PARTICIPANTS ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO STRESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE IN THE STATE, ALLINA HEALTH BELIEVES IT SHOULD LEAD THE WAY IN ELIMINATING STIGMA WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. TO THIS END, THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTERNAL PROGRAM, BE THE CHANGE, IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTION AT ALLINA HEALTH AND ENSURE THAT ALL PATIENTS RECEIVE THE SAME CONSISTENT, EXCEPTIONAL CARE. MORE THAN 500 ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT AS TRAINED BE THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS AND HELP EDUCATE AND GENERATE AWARENESS AMONG THEIR COLLEAGUES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTIONS. THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY-MAY 2016. DURING THIS TIME CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT 492 MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 10,260, OR 38%, OF EMPLOYEES. WHILE THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, THE WORK IS ONGOING AND THE CAMPAIGN'S GOAL IS TO REACH ALL ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES.- NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION - (NHC) IS A COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EACH YEAR, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDS OVER 50 NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM $500-$10,000, TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN 2014 AND 2015 REACHED OVER 2,500 PARTICIPANTS BOTH YEARS AND A SIMILAR REACH IS EXPECTED IN 2016. EVALUATIONS OF THE NHC PROGRAM FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN NHC-FUNDED PROGRAMS INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOR. FURTHER, 2014 FOLLOW-UP DATA REVEALED THAT THESE POSITIVE CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY 80% OF GRANTEES CONTINUED TO OFFER THEIR ACTIVITY AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDED.- HEALTH POWERED KIDS - (HPK), LAUNCHED IN 2012, IS A FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 YEARS TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. IN 2015, APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PEOPLE VISITED THE HPK WEBSITE AND MORE THAN 5,500 CHILDREN WERE REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, 87% OF RESPONDENTS TO A USER SURVEY DESCRIBED HPK AS HELPFUL, VERY HELPFUL OR ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH AT THEIR HOME, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. THESE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ACHIEVED IN 2014.AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016, ALLINA HEALTH REMOVED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS AND INCREASED HEALTHY OFFERINGS IN ITS FACILITIES TO MODEL AND SUPPORT THE DIETARY CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN MAY 2016, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL REMOVED A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FROM ITS CAMPUS. THESE CHANGES SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF ALLINA HEALTH PATIENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES.CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ALLINA HEALTH INCLUDE A FOCUS ON HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND ON SUPPORTING SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE.BEYOND SYSTEM-WIDE ACTIVITIES, EACH HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SUCH AS:ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL: GOAL 1: REDUCE OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY BY IMPROVING NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS.ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL (ANW) EXPANDED ITS FARMER'S MARKET AND EXPLORED OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE NEW OR EXPAND OTHER EXISTING FARMER'S MARKETS. THROUGH A NEW PILOTED PROGRAM CALLED ""PLANT AN EXTRA ROW"", A SMALL AMOUNT OF PRODUCE GROWN BY EMPLOYEES WAS DONATED TO A LOCAL FOOD SHELF. ADDITIONALLY, CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS SUPPORTED HEALTH-RELATED ACTIVITIES AT A FEW FARMER'S MARKETS IN MINNEAPOLIS. THIS SUPPORT HELPED CREATE THE ""MEET YOUR VEGETABLES""-PROGRAM, WHICH CREATED 9 RECIPES FEATURING SEASONAL VEGETABLES THAT WERE THEN MADE AVAILABLE AT THE FARMER'S MARKETS. EDUCATION ON HEALTHY EATING HABITS WAS PROVIDED THROUGH POLICY WORK, PROGRAM SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. THE HEALTHY CORNER STORES ORDINANCE, WHICH REQUIRES CONVENIENCE STORES TO CARRY AND DISPLAY FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, WAS PASSED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IN FEBRUARY 2014. CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND NHC FUNDING SUPPORTED LOCAL NON-PROFITS ALREADY ENGAGED IN EDUCATING COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON HEALTHY EATING. IN COLLABORATION WITH VEAP, THE AREA'S LARGEST FOOD SHELF, A NEW EDUCATION PROGRAM FOCUSED ON HEALTHY CHOICES AT THE FOOD SHELF AND CLASSROOM EDUCATION SESSIONS IS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN 2016. FINALLY, TO ADDRESS THE RISING TREND IN DIABETES AMONG IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS, ANW PARTNERED WITH THE LOCAL SOMALI COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY FACTORS BEHIND THIS TREND AND PROVIDE EDUCATION ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HEALTHY EATING AND DIABETES TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS. OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WERE ALSO PURSUED. FOR EXAMPLE, ALLINA HEALTH'S HPK CURRICULUM WAS ROLLED OUT AT SOME MINNEAPOLIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND SCHOLARSHIPS WERE PROVIDED TO LOCAL STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE THREE RIVER'S DISTRICT AUTUMN WOODS CLASSIC 5K. ONE AREA OF FOCUS WITHIN THIS GOAL WAS TO INCREASE PUBLIC PARK USAGE BY GROUPS NOT CURRENTLY FREQUENTING THE PARKS. TO THIS END, CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS WERE PROVIDED TO LOCAL GROUPS THAT FOCUS ON EDUCATING NON-USERS ABOUT HOW TO USE RECREATIONAL TRAILS AND PARKS; NHC GRANTS CREATED AND EXPANDED PARK-BASED YOGA CLASSES FOR RESIDENTS; AND ANW PARTNERED WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY, THE MIDTOWN PHILLIPS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND THE GREENWAY COALITION TO REACTIVATE THE CEPRO SITE-AN UNDERUTILIZED PARK NEAR ALLINA HEADQUARTERS. LAST, PROGRAMS WERE CREATED TO OFFER MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OPTIONS TO SENIORS SUCH AS SOMALI WOMEN'S EXERCISE CLASSES AND THE ACTIVE LIVING PROGRAM IN MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC HIGH-RISES. GOAL 2. PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH BY INCREASING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASED SOCIAL CONNECTIONS. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDED CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS PATHWAYS, WASHBURN CENTER FOR CHILDREN, WATERCOURSE COUNSELING AND THE WALK-IN COUNSELING CENTER TO SUPPORT THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. ADDITIONALLY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT, CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY, A NEW COALITION WAS CREATED FOCUSED ON IDENTIFYING THE CAUSES OF MATERNAL OPIOID ABUSE BY NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN AND POSSIBILITIES FOR INTERVENTION. LASTLY, ANW PROVIDED NHC GRANTS TO NINE DIFFERENT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASED SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS. GOAL 3. IMPROVE GENERAL POPULATION HEALTH BY INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND HEALTH-RELATED RESOURCES.ANW PARTNERED WITH OUR LADY OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MINNEAPOLIS TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THEIR PARISH NURSE PROGRAM IN CREATING A HEART SAFE COMMUNITY WITHIN THE CHURCH. CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS WERE ALSO PROVIDED TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM. ADDITIONALLY, THE HOSPITAL'S PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HAS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE A 30-DAY SUPPLY OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED."
GROUP A-FACILITY 1 -- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13B: SEE RESPONSE TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 3C INCLUDED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI FOR EXPLANATION OF CRITERIA.
GROUP A-FACILITY 1 -- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 24: NON-MEDICALLY NECESSARY OR RETAIL/COSMETIC PROCEDURES WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT.
GROUP A-FACILITY 2 -- UNITED HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: WE FIRST PUBLICIZED AN ONLINE SURVEY ON OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS IN ORDER TO GATHER GENERAL INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 1,000 RESPONSES TO THIS SURVEY-APPROXIMATELY 900 EMPLOYEES AND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.NEXT, WE HELD TWENTY-TWO COMMUNITY DIALOGUES OR FOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE GEOGRAPHY SERVED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM FEBRUARY-APRIL 2016. THE DIALOGUES WERE FACILITATED AND ORGANIZED BY A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR (THE IMPROVE GROUP) WITH EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISCUSSIONS OF KEY HEALTH ISSUES. MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE DIALOGUES/FOCUS GROUPS, PLANNING TEAMS THAT REVIEWED DATA AND COMMUNITY INPUT, OR BOTH. THE ATTENDEES WERE DIVERSE IN TERMS OF AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HELD ONE FOCUS GROUP FOR THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WITH INTERPRETATION, NEAR OUR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP SPECIFIC TO THE LIBERIAN COMMUNITY NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, INFORMAL AND FORMAL INTERPRETERS WERE USED AS NEEDED IN OUR EAST METRO AND SOUTH METRO DIALOGUES. DIALOGUES WERE ALSO HELD AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE HELD AT A PUBLIC HOUSING SITE IN ITS COMMUNITY ROOM.SOME COMMUNITY DIALOGUES WERE WELL-ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SERVE DIVERSE INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES, WHILE OTHERS WERE WELL- ATTENDED BY RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TIES. INVITATIONS WERE BROADLY SHARED TO GATHER AS MUCH DIVERSE INPUT AS POSSIBLE. SOME DIALOGUES WERE REPEATED OR RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED, IF WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO LOW ATTENDANCE/RSVPS. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF SPECIFIC INPUT THAT WAS SOUGHT BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED.
GROUP A-FACILITY 2 -- UNITED HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE 12 ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS - ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, UNITED HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL, UNITY HOSPITAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, BUFFALO HOSPITAL, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, OWATONNA HOSPITAL, REGINA HOSPITAL, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE USE A COORDINATED APPROACH AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON A GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL COMMUNITY BASIS. EACH REGIONAL CHNA CONTAINED ONLY ONE ALLINA HOSPITAL FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- MERCY HOSPITAL AND UNITY HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND OWATONNA HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY- REGINA HOSPITAL AND UNITED HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY
GROUP A-FACILITY 2 -- UNITED HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (SFRMC), A RELATED ORGANIZATION OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (AHS) WAS INCLUDED IN THE AHS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE SOUTH METRO REGION AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED BELOW.MINNESOTA:ANOKA, BROWN, CARVER, DAKOTA, HENNEPIN, ISANTI, RAMSEY, STEELE, SCOTT, WASHINGTON, AND WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. WISCONSIN:PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.IN SOME CASES, THE CHNA IS CONSIDERED A JOINT PRODUCT THROUGH FORMAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS THE HEALTHIER TOGETHER PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
GROUP A-FACILITY 2 -- UNITED HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: ALLINA HEALTH LAST ASSESSED COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH THIS FORMAL PROCESS IN 2016. ACROSS THE ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO PRIMARY NEEDS ARE NOW BEING ADDRESSED 2017-2019: HEALTHY WEIGHT (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM-WIDE INITIATIVES IN THESE AREAS INCLUDE: - CHANGE TO CHILL - (CTC) IS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES STRESS REDUCTION TIPS, LIFE BALANCE TECHNIQUES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEENS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2014, CTC HAS SERVED MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHO USE IT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEENS WHO USE IT IN SOCIAL GROUPS AND PARENTS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD STRESS LESS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PILOTED AN IN-PERSON DELIVERY MODEL OF THE CTC PROGRAM IN A TOTAL OF 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT FIVE COMMUNITIES ALLINA HEALTH SERVES. FIFTEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 253 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOL LIAISONS. MANY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THEY INTENDED TO USE WHAT THEY LEARNED AND GAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM. PARTICIPANTS ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO STRESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE IN THE STATE, ALLINA HEALTH BELIEVES IT SHOULD LEAD THE WAY IN ELIMINATING STIGMA WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. TO THIS END, THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTERNAL PROGRAM, BE THE CHANGE, IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTION AT ALLINA HEALTH AND ENSURE THAT ALL PATIENTS RECEIVE THE SAME CONSISTENT, EXCEPTIONAL CARE. MORE THAN 500 ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT AS TRAINED BE THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS AND HELP EDUCATE AND GENERATE AWARENESS AMONG THEIR COLLEAGUES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTIONS. THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY-MAY 2016. DURING THIS TIME CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT 492 MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 10,260, OR 38%, OF EMPLOYEES. WHILE THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, THE WORK IS ONGOING AND THE CAMPAIGN'S GOAL IS TO REACH ALL ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES.- NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION - (NHC) IS A COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EACH YEAR, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDS OVER 50 NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM $500-$10,000, TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN 2014 AND 2015 REACHED OVER 2,500 PARTICIPANTS BOTH YEARS AND A SIMILAR REACH IS EXPECTED IN 2016. EVALUATIONS OF THE NHC PROGRAM FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN NHC-FUNDED PROGRAMS INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOR. FURTHER, 2014 FOLLOW-UP DATA REVEALED THAT THESE POSITIVE CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY 80% OF GRANTEES CONTINUED TO OFFER THEIR ACTIVITY AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDED.- HEALTH POWERED KIDS - (HPK), LAUNCHED IN 2012, IS A FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 YEARS TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. IN 2015, APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PEOPLE VISITED THE HPK WEBSITE AND MORE THAN 5,500 CHILDREN WERE REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, 87% OF RESPONDENTS TO A USER SURVEY DESCRIBED HPK AS HELPFUL, VERY HELPFUL OR ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH AT THEIR HOME, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. THESE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ACHIEVED IN 2014.AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016, ALLINA HEALTH REMOVED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS AND INCREASED HEALTHY OFFERINGS IN ITS FACILITIES TO MODEL AND SUPPORT THE DIETARY CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN MAY 2016, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL REMOVED A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FROM ITS CAMPUS. THESE CHANGES SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF ALLINA HEALTH PATIENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES.CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ALLINA HEALTH INCLUDE A FOCUS ON HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND ON SUPPORTING SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE.BEYOND SYSTEM-WIDE ACTIVITIES, EACH HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SUCH AS:UNITED HOSPITAL: GOAL 1: INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THROUGH POLICY, SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE.UNITED HOSPITAL PROVIDED VOLUNTEERS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE COMUNIDADES LATINAS UNIDAS EN SERVICIO (CLUES) SECOND ANNUAL WELLNESS FAIR, WHERE A TOTAL OF 350 PEOPLE RECEIVED EITHER HEALTH OR VISION SCREENINGS. THE HOSPITAL ALSO WORKED ON SEVERAL ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE BETTER HEALTH AND WELLNESS AMONG CHILDREN. THE FIRST OF THESE IS UNITED'S ONGOING INVOLVEMENT WITH HEALTH POWERED KIDS, WHICH PROMOTES HEALTHY EATING, EXERCISE AND LIFESTYLE CHOICES. A COMMUNITY PRESENTATION ABOUT HEALTH POWERED KIDS WAS ATTENDED BY OVER 30 COMMUNITY PARTNERS. OTHER ACTIVITIES PROMOTING YOUTH HEALTH AND WELLNESS INCLUDED FREE BIKES 4 KIDZ, WHERE 450 CHILDREN RECEIVED NEW OR REFURBISHED BICYCLES, AND NEW SHOES, HEALTHY KIDS, WHICH PROVIDED 300 NEW PAIRS OF SHOES TO CHILDREN TO ENABLE MORE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. ALSO, ALLINA HEALTH PROVIDED NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS TO FOUR DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP PROMOTE WELLNESS AMONG LOWER INCOME INDIVIDUALS. THESE GRANTS WERE AWARDED TO THE CITY OF INVER GROVE HEIGHTS TO CONTINUE ITS WALK WITH EASE PROGRAM, ST. MARY'S CLINIC TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE SO LATINO WOMEN CAN ATTEND A WEEKLY ZUMBA CLASS, AND TO UNION PARK DISTRICT COUNCIL TO PUT ON A COMMUNITY PROGRAM SHOWING HOW PARKS CAN BE USED IN YOGA AND EXERCISE ROUTINES. ADDITIONALLY, THE ST. PAUL PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY RECEIVED A NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANT TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO RESIDENTS ON EXERCISE EQUIPMENT, TRAINING ON HOW TO USE THE EXERCISE EQUIPMENT AND LEADING RESIDENT WALKING GROUPS.GOAL 2: IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR THE UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED THROUGH EDUCATION, COLLABORATION AND SUPPORT.UNITED HOSPITAL EXPLORED OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTNER WITH ALREADY EXISTING ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS. WE PARTNERED WITH AND PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO PORTICO HEALTHNET, WHICH HELPS UNINSURED MINNESOTANS ACCESS AFFORDABLE HEALTH COVERAGE AND CARE. WE ALSO PROVIDED CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS AND COMMUNITY CLINICS IN RAMSEY COUNTY. STAFF AT UNITED HELPED A TOTAL OF 244 PATIENTS NAVIGATE THE MNSURE MARKETPLACE TO ENROLL IN AFFORDABLE HEALTH COVERAGE. TO HELP SENIORS ACCESS CARE, UNITED PROVIDED FUNDING TO THE WEST 7TH COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH ALLOWED THE CENTER TO PURCHASE A VAN TO PROVIDE SENIORS WITH TRANSPORTATION. ALSO, CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS WERE PROVIDED TO A NUMBER OF BLOCK NURSE PROGRAMS IN RAMSEY COUNTY TO SUPPORT SENIORS LIVING INDEPENDENTLY. GOAL 3: DECREASE OBESITY THROUGH OUTREACH, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT.COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS FOCUSED ON BEHAVIORS SHOWN TO REDUCE OBESITY WERE SUPPORTED BY THE HOSPITAL BOTH THROUGH VOLUNTEER AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT. AT RSVP'S BONE BUILDERS, A UNITED HOSPITAL DIETICIAN PRESENTED TO A GROUP OF LOCAL VOLUNTEERS ON HIGH CALCIUM FOODS THAT PROMOTE BONE HEALTH. ALLINA HEALTH'S HEALTH POWERED KIDS PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH HEALTH PROMOTION, WAS PROMOTED AT NUMEROUS COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT WERE SUPPORTED BY THE HOSPITAL. STAFF MEMBERS ALSO CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN OR BEGAN NEW POSITIONS ON COMMUNITY BOARDS AND INITIATIVES INCLUDING THE RAMSEY COUNTY FOOD & NUTRITION COMMISSION, COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND RAMSEY COUNTY SHIP HEALTHY MEALS COALITION, URBAN ROOTS. ADDITIONALLY, FINANCIAL AND VOLUNTEER SUPPORT WERE PROVIDED TO ORGANIZATIONS FOCUSED ON SERVING LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WITH THE GOAL OF INCREASING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, IMPROVING NUTRITION AND REDUCING FOOD INSECURITY. ONE OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, OPPORTUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD, RECEIVED A NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANT TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITY GARDEN AND HEALTHY EATING EDUCATION. TWO OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS FOCUSED ON PROMOTING HEALTHY EATING AND NUTRITION WERE SUPPORTED WITH VOLUNTEERS AND FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM UNITED.
GROUP A-FACILITY 2 -- UNITED HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13B: SEE RESPONSE TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 3C INCLUDED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI FOR EXPLANATION OF CRITERIA.
GROUP A-FACILITY 2 -- UNITED HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 24: NON-MEDICALLY NECESSARY OR RETAIL/COSMETIC PROCEDURES WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT.
GROUP A-FACILITY 3 -- MERCY HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: WE FIRST PUBLICIZED AN ONLINE SURVEY ON OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS IN ORDER TO GATHER GENERAL INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 1,000 RESPONSES TO THIS SURVEY-APPROXIMATELY 900 EMPLOYEES AND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.NEXT, WE HELD TWENTY-TWO COMMUNITY DIALOGUES OR FOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE GEOGRAPHY SERVED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM FEBRUARY-APRIL 2016. THE DIALOGUES WERE FACILITATED AND ORGANIZED BY A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR (THE IMPROVE GROUP) WITH EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISCUSSIONS OF KEY HEALTH ISSUES. MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE DIALOGUES/FOCUS GROUPS, PLANNING TEAMS THAT REVIEWED DATA AND COMMUNITY INPUT, OR BOTH. THE ATTENDEES WERE DIVERSE IN TERMS OF AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HELD ONE FOCUS GROUP FOR THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WITH INTERPRETATION, NEAR OUR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP SPECIFIC TO THE LIBERIAN COMMUNITY NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, INFORMAL AND FORMAL INTERPRETERS WERE USED AS NEEDED IN OUR EAST METRO AND SOUTH METRO DIALOGUES. DIALOGUES WERE ALSO HELD AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE HELD AT A PUBLIC HOUSING SITE IN ITS COMMUNITY ROOM.SOME COMMUNITY DIALOGUES WERE WELL-ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SERVE DIVERSE INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES, WHILE OTHERS WERE WELL- ATTENDED BY RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TIES. INVITATIONS WERE BROADLY SHARED TO GATHER AS MUCH DIVERSE INPUT AS POSSIBLE. SOME DIALOGUES WERE REPEATED OR RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED, IF WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO LOW ATTENDANCE/RSVPS. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF SPECIFIC INPUT THAT WAS SOUGHT BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED.
GROUP A-FACILITY 3 -- MERCY HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE 12 ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS - ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, UNITED HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL, UNITY HOSPITAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, BUFFALO HOSPITAL, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, OWATONNA HOSPITAL, REGINA HOSPITAL, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE USE A COORDINATED APPROACH AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON A GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL COMMUNITY BASIS. EACH REGIONAL CHNA CONTAINED ONLY ONE ALLINA HOSPITAL FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- MERCY HOSPITAL AND UNITY HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND OWATONNA HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY- REGINA HOSPITAL AND UNITED HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY
GROUP A-FACILITY 3 -- MERCY HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (SFRMC), A RELATED ORGANIZATION OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (AHS) WAS INCLUDED IN THE AHS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE SOUTH METRO REGION AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED BELOW.MINNESOTA:ANOKA, BROWN, CARVER, DAKOTA, HENNEPIN, ISANTI, RAMSEY, STEELE, SCOTT, WASHINGTON, AND WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. WISCONSIN:PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.IN SOME CASES, THE CHNA IS CONSIDERED A JOINT PRODUCT THROUGH FORMAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS THE HEALTHIER TOGETHER PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
GROUP A-FACILITY 3 -- MERCY HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: ALLINA HEALTH LAST ASSESSED COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH THIS FORMAL PROCESS IN 2016. ACROSS THE ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO PRIMARY NEEDS ARE NOW BEING ADDRESSED 2017-2019: HEALTHY WEIGHT (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM-WIDE INITIATIVES IN THESE AREAS INCLUDE: - CHANGE TO CHILL - (CTC) IS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES STRESS REDUCTION TIPS, LIFE BALANCE TECHNIQUES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEENS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2014, CTC HAS SERVED MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHO USE IT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEENS WHO USE IT IN SOCIAL GROUPS AND PARENTS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD STRESS LESS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PILOTED AN IN-PERSON DELIVERY MODEL OF THE CTC PROGRAM IN A TOTAL OF 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT FIVE COMMUNITIES ALLINA HEALTH SERVES. FIFTEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 253 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOL LIAISONS. MANY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THEY INTENDED TO USE WHAT THEY LEARNED AND GAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM. PARTICIPANTS ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO STRESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE IN THE STATE, ALLINA HEALTH BELIEVES IT SHOULD LEAD THE WAY IN ELIMINATING STIGMA WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. TO THIS END, THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTERNAL PROGRAM, BE THE CHANGE, IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTION AT ALLINA HEALTH AND ENSURE THAT ALL PATIENTS RECEIVE THE SAME CONSISTENT, EXCEPTIONAL CARE. MORE THAN 500 ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT AS TRAINED BE THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS AND HELP EDUCATE AND GENERATE AWARENESS AMONG THEIR COLLEAGUES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTIONS. THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY-MAY 2016. DURING THIS TIME CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT 492 MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 10,260, OR 38%, OF EMPLOYEES. WHILE THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, THE WORK IS ONGOING AND THE CAMPAIGN'S GOAL IS TO REACH ALL ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES.- NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION - (NHC) IS A COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EACH YEAR, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDS OVER 50 NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM $500-$10,000, TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN 2014 AND 2015 REACHED OVER 2,500 PARTICIPANTS BOTH YEARS AND A SIMILAR REACH IS EXPECTED IN 2016. EVALUATIONS OF THE NHC PROGRAM FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN NHC-FUNDED PROGRAMS INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOR. FURTHER, 2014 FOLLOW-UP DATA REVEALED THAT THESE POSITIVE CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY 80% OF GRANTEES CONTINUED TO OFFER THEIR ACTIVITY AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDED.- HEALTH POWERED KIDS - (HPK), LAUNCHED IN 2012, IS A FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 YEARS TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. IN 2015, APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PEOPLE VISITED THE HPK WEBSITE AND MORE THAN 5,500 CHILDREN WERE REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, 87% OF RESPONDENTS TO A USER SURVEY DESCRIBED HPK AS HELPFUL, VERY HELPFUL OR ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH AT THEIR HOME, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. THESE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ACHIEVED IN 2014.AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016, ALLINA HEALTH REMOVED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS AND INCREASED HEALTHY OFFERINGS IN ITS FACILITIES TO MODEL AND SUPPORT THE DIETARY CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN MAY 2016, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL REMOVED A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FROM ITS CAMPUS. THESE CHANGES SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF ALLINA HEALTH PATIENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES.CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ALLINA HEALTH INCLUDE A FOCUS ON HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND ON SUPPORTING SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE.BEYOND SYSTEM-WIDE ACTIVITIES, EACH HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SUCH AS:MERCY HOSPITAL (INCLUDES UNITY CAMPUS): GOAL 1: PROMOTE EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION, DETECTION, TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC DISEASEA TOTAL OF 57 COMMUNITY HEALTH SCREENINGS AND 41 FREE FLU VACCINATION CLINICS WERE HELD IN THE COMMUNITY. THESE PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES TO PRESENT HEALTH EDUCATION TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO REACH, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING SCREENINGS AND VACCINATIONS. IN TOTAL, 1727 PEOPLE WERE SERVED AT THE HEALTH SCREENINGS, AND 1034 AT THE VACCINATION CLINICS. A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE YMCA WAS ALSO DEVELOPED, WHICH AIMS AT INCREASING HEALTH AND HEALTH KNOWLEDGE FOR OLDER ADULTS. ADDITIONALLY, HEALTH CLINICS FOR THE HOMELESS WERE STARTED IN COLLABORATION WITH STEPPING STONE HOMELESS SHELTER. THESE INCLUDED RESOURCE AND LIFESTYLE INFO FROM PHYSICIANS, NURSES, PHARMACISTS, AND CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY/MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS. THESE CLINICS HAVE BEEN ONGOING AND A TOTAL OF 148 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SERVED. GOAL 2. REDUCE RISK FACTORS FOR CHILDHOOD OBESITY.PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS WERE DEVELOPED TO HELP TARGET YOUTH OBESITY. WORK WITH PARK BROOK ELEMENTARY WAS DONE TO ADVANCE HEALTHY EATING AND HEALTHY STUDENT ACTIVITIES AT THE ELEMENTARY-AGE LEVEL. EDUCATIONAL-FOCUSED HEALTH SCREENINGS WERE ALSO CONDUCTED, WHICH INCLUDE BMI AND WEIGHT EDUCATION WITHIN THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM. THE FAMILY POWER YOUTH OBESITY PROGRAM WHICH TARGETS YOUTH WITH ABNORMALLY HIGH BMI WAS INCREASED IN SCOPE AND THE HEALTH POWERED KIDS PROGRAM WAS BROADLY PROMOTED, REACHING 2550 STUDENTS THROUGH THESE EFFORTS. THE DEPTH OF HEALTH SCREENINGS AND FOLLOW-UP HAVE BEEN EXPANDED THROUGH THE ACH GRANT TO FOCUS ON THE ANOKA-HENNEPIN SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL HAS BEEN BROADENED TO ASSUME OVERSITE OF THE ACH GRANT. THE NUMBER OF PARTNER SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHERE HEALTH SCREENINGS ARE OFFERED WAS INCREASED. FINALLY, YOUTH OBESITY FOCUS WAS ALSO ADDED TO THE FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE PROGRAM AND THE WELLNESS PROGRAM.
GROUP A-FACILITY 3 -- MERCY HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13B: SEE RESPONSE TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 3C INCLUDED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI FOR EXPLANATION OF CRITERIA.
GROUP A-FACILITY 3 -- MERCY HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 24: NON-MEDICALLY NECESSARY OR RETAIL/COSMETIC PROCEDURES WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT.
GROUP A-FACILITY 4 -- UNITY HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: WE FIRST PUBLICIZED AN ONLINE SURVEY ON OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS IN ORDER TO GATHER GENERAL INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 1,000 RESPONSES TO THIS SURVEY-APPROXIMATELY 900 EMPLOYEES AND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.NEXT, WE HELD TWENTY-TWO COMMUNITY DIALOGUES OR FOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE GEOGRAPHY SERVED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM FEBRUARY-APRIL 2016. THE DIALOGUES WERE FACILITATED AND ORGANIZED BY A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR (THE IMPROVE GROUP) WITH EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISCUSSIONS OF KEY HEALTH ISSUES. MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE DIALOGUES/FOCUS GROUPS, PLANNING TEAMS THAT REVIEWED DATA AND COMMUNITY INPUT, OR BOTH. THE ATTENDEES WERE DIVERSE IN TERMS OF AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HELD ONE FOCUS GROUP FOR THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WITH INTERPRETATION, NEAR OUR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP SPECIFIC TO THE LIBERIAN COMMUNITY NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, INFORMAL AND FORMAL INTERPRETERS WERE USED AS NEEDED IN OUR EAST METRO AND SOUTH METRO DIALOGUES. DIALOGUES WERE ALSO HELD AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE HELD AT A PUBLIC HOUSING SITE IN ITS COMMUNITY ROOM.SOME COMMUNITY DIALOGUES WERE WELL-ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SERVE DIVERSE INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES, WHILE OTHERS WERE WELL- ATTENDED BY RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TIES. INVITATIONS WERE BROADLY SHARED TO GATHER AS MUCH DIVERSE INPUT AS POSSIBLE. SOME DIALOGUES WERE REPEATED OR RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED, IF WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO LOW ATTENDANCE/RSVPS. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF SPECIFIC INPUT THAT WAS SOUGHT BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED.
GROUP A-FACILITY 4 -- UNITY HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE 12 ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS - ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, UNITED HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL, UNITY HOSPITAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, BUFFALO HOSPITAL, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, OWATONNA HOSPITAL, REGINA HOSPITAL, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE USE A COORDINATED APPROACH AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON A GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL COMMUNITY BASIS. EACH REGIONAL CHNA CONTAINED ONLY ONE ALLINA HOSPITAL FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- MERCY HOSPITAL AND UNITY HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND OWATONNA HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY- REGINA HOSPITAL AND UNITED HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY
GROUP A-FACILITY 4 -- UNITY HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (SFRMC), A RELATED ORGANIZATION OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (AHS) WAS INCLUDED IN THE AHS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE SOUTH METRO REGION AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED BELOW.MINNESOTA:ANOKA, BROWN, CARVER, DAKOTA, HENNEPIN, ISANTI, RAMSEY, STEELE, SCOTT, WASHINGTON, AND WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. WISCONSIN:PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.IN SOME CASES, THE CHNA IS CONSIDERED A JOINT PRODUCT THROUGH FORMAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS THE HEALTHIER TOGETHER PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
GROUP A-FACILITY 4 -- UNITY HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: ALLINA HEALTH LAST ASSESSED COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH THIS FORMAL PROCESS IN 2016. ACROSS THE ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO PRIMARY NEEDS ARE NOW BEING ADDRESSED 2017-2019: HEALTHY WEIGHT (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM-WIDE INITIATIVES IN THESE AREAS INCLUDE: - CHANGE TO CHILL - (CTC) IS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES STRESS REDUCTION TIPS, LIFE BALANCE TECHNIQUES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEENS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2014, CTC HAS SERVED MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHO USE IT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEENS WHO USE IT IN SOCIAL GROUPS AND PARENTS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD STRESS LESS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PILOTED AN IN-PERSON DELIVERY MODEL OF THE CTC PROGRAM IN A TOTAL OF 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT FIVE COMMUNITIES ALLINA HEALTH SERVES. FIFTEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 253 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOL LIAISONS. MANY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THEY INTENDED TO USE WHAT THEY LEARNED AND GAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM. PARTICIPANTS ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO STRESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE IN THE STATE, ALLINA HEALTH BELIEVES IT SHOULD LEAD THE WAY IN ELIMINATING STIGMA WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. TO THIS END, THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTERNAL PROGRAM, BE THE CHANGE, IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTION AT ALLINA HEALTH AND ENSURE THAT ALL PATIENTS RECEIVE THE SAME CONSISTENT, EXCEPTIONAL CARE. MORE THAN 500 ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT AS TRAINED BE THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS AND HELP EDUCATE AND GENERATE AWARENESS AMONG THEIR COLLEAGUES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTIONS. THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY-MAY 2016. DURING THIS TIME CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT 492 MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 10,260, OR 38%, OF EMPLOYEES. WHILE THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, THE WORK IS ONGOING AND THE CAMPAIGN'S GOAL IS TO REACH ALL ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES.- NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION - (NHC) IS A COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EACH YEAR, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDS OVER 50 NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM $500-$10,000, TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN 2014 AND 2015 REACHED OVER 2,500 PARTICIPANTS BOTH YEARS AND A SIMILAR REACH IS EXPECTED IN 2016. EVALUATIONS OF THE NHC PROGRAM FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN NHC-FUNDED PROGRAMS INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOR. FURTHER, 2014 FOLLOW-UP DATA REVEALED THAT THESE POSITIVE CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY 80% OF GRANTEES CONTINUED TO OFFER THEIR ACTIVITY AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDED.- HEALTH POWERED KIDS - (HPK), LAUNCHED IN 2012, IS A FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 YEARS TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. IN 2015, APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PEOPLE VISITED THE HPK WEBSITE AND MORE THAN 5,500 CHILDREN WERE REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, 87% OF RESPONDENTS TO A USER SURVEY DESCRIBED HPK AS HELPFUL, VERY HELPFUL OR ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH AT THEIR HOME, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. THESE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ACHIEVED IN 2014.AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016, ALLINA HEALTH REMOVED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS AND INCREASED HEALTHY OFFERINGS IN ITS FACILITIES TO MODEL AND SUPPORT THE DIETARY CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN MAY 2016, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL REMOVED A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FROM ITS CAMPUS. THESE CHANGES SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF ALLINA HEALTH PATIENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES.CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ALLINA HEALTH INCLUDE A FOCUS ON HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND ON SUPPORTING SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE.BEYOND SYSTEM-WIDE ACTIVITIES, EACH HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SUCH AS:MERCY HOSPITAL (INCLUDES UNITY CAMPUS): GOAL 1: PROMOTE EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION, DETECTION, TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC DISEASEA TOTAL OF 57 COMMUNITY HEALTH SCREENINGS AND 41 FREE FLU VACCINATION CLINICS WERE HELD IN THE COMMUNITY. THESE PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES TO PRESENT HEALTH EDUCATION TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE MORE DIFFICULT TO REACH, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING SCREENINGS AND VACCINATIONS. IN TOTAL, 1727 PEOPLE WERE SERVED AT THE HEALTH SCREENINGS, AND 1034 AT THE VACCINATION CLINICS. A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE YMCA WAS ALSO DEVELOPED, WHICH AIMS AT INCREASING HEALTH AND HEALTH KNOWLEDGE FOR OLDER ADULTS. ADDITIONALLY, HEALTH CLINICS FOR THE HOMELESS WERE STARTED IN COLLABORATION WITH STEPPING STONE HOMELESS SHELTER. THESE INCLUDED RESOURCE AND LIFESTYLE INFO FROM PHYSICIANS, NURSES, PHARMACISTS, AND CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY/MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS. THESE CLINICS HAVE BEEN ONGOING AND A TOTAL OF 148 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SERVED. GOAL 2. REDUCE RISK FACTORS FOR CHILDHOOD OBESITY.PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS WERE DEVELOPED TO HELP TARGET YOUTH OBESITY. WORK WITH PARK BROOK ELEMENTARY WAS DONE TO ADVANCE HEALTHY EATING AND HEALTHY STUDENT ACTIVITIES AT THE ELEMENTARY-AGE LEVEL. EDUCATIONAL-FOCUSED HEALTH SCREENINGS WERE ALSO CONDUCTED, WHICH INCLUDE BMI AND WEIGHT EDUCATION WITHIN THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM. THE FAMILY POWER YOUTH OBESITY PROGRAM WHICH TARGETS YOUTH WITH ABNORMALLY HIGH BMI WAS INCREASED IN SCOPE AND THE HEALTH POWERED KIDS PROGRAM WAS BROADLY PROMOTED, REACHING 2550 STUDENTS THROUGH THESE EFFORTS. THE DEPTH OF HEALTH SCREENINGS AND FOLLOW-UP HAVE BEEN EXPANDED THROUGH THE ACH GRANT TO FOCUS ON THE ANOKA-HENNEPIN SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL HAS BEEN BROADENED TO ASSUME OVERSITE OF THE ACH GRANT. THE NUMBER OF PARTNER SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHERE HEALTH SCREENINGS ARE OFFERED WAS INCREASED. FINALLY, YOUTH OBESITY FOCUS WAS ALSO ADDED TO THE FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE PROGRAM AND THE WELLNESS PROGRAM.
GROUP A-FACILITY 4 -- UNITY HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13B: SEE RESPONSE TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 3C INCLUDED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI FOR EXPLANATION OF CRITERIA.
GROUP A-FACILITY 4 -- UNITY HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 24: NON-MEDICALLY NECESSARY OR RETAIL/COSMETIC PROCEDURES WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT.
GROUP A-FACILITY 5 -- CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: WE FIRST PUBLICIZED AN ONLINE SURVEY ON OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS IN ORDER TO GATHER GENERAL INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 1,000 RESPONSES TO THIS SURVEY-APPROXIMATELY 900 EMPLOYEES AND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.NEXT, WE HELD TWENTY-TWO COMMUNITY DIALOGUES OR FOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE GEOGRAPHY SERVED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM FEBRUARY-APRIL 2016. THE DIALOGUES WERE FACILITATED AND ORGANIZED BY A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR (THE IMPROVE GROUP) WITH EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISCUSSIONS OF KEY HEALTH ISSUES. MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE DIALOGUES/FOCUS GROUPS, PLANNING TEAMS THAT REVIEWED DATA AND COMMUNITY INPUT, OR BOTH. THE ATTENDEES WERE DIVERSE IN TERMS OF AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HELD ONE FOCUS GROUP FOR THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WITH INTERPRETATION, NEAR OUR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP SPECIFIC TO THE LIBERIAN COMMUNITY NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, INFORMAL AND FORMAL INTERPRETERS WERE USED AS NEEDED IN OUR EAST METRO AND SOUTH METRO DIALOGUES. DIALOGUES WERE ALSO HELD AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE HELD AT A PUBLIC HOUSING SITE IN ITS COMMUNITY ROOM.SOME COMMUNITY DIALOGUES WERE WELL-ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SERVE DIVERSE INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES, WHILE OTHERS WERE WELL- ATTENDED BY RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TIES. INVITATIONS WERE BROADLY SHARED TO GATHER AS MUCH DIVERSE INPUT AS POSSIBLE. SOME DIALOGUES WERE REPEATED OR RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED, IF WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO LOW ATTENDANCE/RSVPS. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF SPECIFIC INPUT THAT WAS SOUGHT BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED.
GROUP A-FACILITY 5 -- CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE 12 ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS - ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, UNITED HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL, UNITY HOSPITAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, BUFFALO HOSPITAL, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, OWATONNA HOSPITAL, REGINA HOSPITAL, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE USE A COORDINATED APPROACH AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON A GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL COMMUNITY BASIS. EACH REGIONAL CHNA CONTAINED ONLY ONE ALLINA HOSPITAL FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- MERCY HOSPITAL AND UNITY HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND OWATONNA HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY- REGINA HOSPITAL AND UNITED HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY
GROUP A-FACILITY 5 -- CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (SFRMC), A RELATED ORGANIZATION OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (AHS) WAS INCLUDED IN THE AHS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE SOUTH METRO REGION AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED BELOW.MINNESOTA:ANOKA, BROWN, CARVER, DAKOTA, HENNEPIN, ISANTI, RAMSEY, STEELE, SCOTT, WASHINGTON, AND WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. WISCONSIN:PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.IN SOME CASES, THE CHNA IS CONSIDERED A JOINT PRODUCT THROUGH FORMAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS THE HEALTHIER TOGETHER PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
GROUP A-FACILITY 5 -- CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: "ALLINA HEALTH LAST ASSESSED COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH THIS FORMAL PROCESS IN 2016. ACROSS THE ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO PRIMARY NEEDS ARE NOW BEING ADDRESSED 2017-2019: HEALTHY WEIGHT (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM-WIDE INITIATIVES IN THESE AREAS INCLUDE: - CHANGE TO CHILL - (CTC) IS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES STRESS REDUCTION TIPS, LIFE BALANCE TECHNIQUES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEENS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2014, CTC HAS SERVED MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHO USE IT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEENS WHO USE IT IN SOCIAL GROUPS AND PARENTS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD STRESS LESS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PILOTED AN IN-PERSON DELIVERY MODEL OF THE CTC PROGRAM IN A TOTAL OF 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT FIVE COMMUNITIES ALLINA HEALTH SERVES. FIFTEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 253 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOL LIAISONS. MANY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THEY INTENDED TO USE WHAT THEY LEARNED AND GAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM. PARTICIPANTS ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO STRESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE IN THE STATE, ALLINA HEALTH BELIEVES IT SHOULD LEAD THE WAY IN ELIMINATING STIGMA WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. TO THIS END, THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTERNAL PROGRAM, BE THE CHANGE, IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTION AT ALLINA HEALTH AND ENSURE THAT ALL PATIENTS RECEIVE THE SAME CONSISTENT, EXCEPTIONAL CARE. MORE THAN 500 ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT AS TRAINED BE THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS AND HELP EDUCATE AND GENERATE AWARENESS AMONG THEIR COLLEAGUES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTIONS. THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY-MAY 2016. DURING THIS TIME CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT 492 MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 10,260, OR 38%, OF EMPLOYEES. WHILE THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, THE WORK IS ONGOING AND THE CAMPAIGN'S GOAL IS TO REACH ALL ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES.- NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION - (NHC) IS A COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EACH YEAR, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDS OVER 50 NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM $500-$10,000, TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN 2014 AND 2015 REACHED OVER 2,500 PARTICIPANTS BOTH YEARS AND A SIMILAR REACH IS EXPECTED IN 2016. EVALUATIONS OF THE NHC PROGRAM FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN NHC-FUNDED PROGRAMS INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOR. FURTHER, 2014 FOLLOW-UP DATA REVEALED THAT THESE POSITIVE CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY 80% OF GRANTEES CONTINUED TO OFFER THEIR ACTIVITY AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDED.- HEALTH POWERED KIDS - (HPK), LAUNCHED IN 2012, IS A FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 YEARS TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. IN 2015, APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PEOPLE VISITED THE HPK WEBSITE AND MORE THAN 5,500 CHILDREN WERE REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, 87% OF RESPONDENTS TO A USER SURVEY DESCRIBED HPK AS HELPFUL, VERY HELPFUL OR ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH AT THEIR HOME, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. THESE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ACHIEVED IN 2014.AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016, ALLINA HEALTH REMOVED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS AND INCREASED HEALTHY OFFERINGS IN ITS FACILITIES TO MODEL AND SUPPORT THE DIETARY CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN MAY 2016, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL REMOVED A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FROM ITS CAMPUS. THESE CHANGES SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF ALLINA HEALTH PATIENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES.CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ALLINA HEALTH INCLUDE A FOCUS ON HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND ON SUPPORTING SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE.BEYOND SYSTEM-WIDE ACTIVITIES, EACH HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SUCH AS:CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER: GOAL 1: INCREASE AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION AND PROGRAMMING ADDRESSING OBESITY PREVENTION IN THE COMMUNITY.CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER WORKED AT CREATING AND SUPPORTING PROGRAMMING THAT COMBINES EDUCATIONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL ACTIVITIES AT WORKSITES AND COMMUNITY CENTERS. EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES AT CMC HAS SUPPORTED OR OFFERED INCLUDE: BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY WELLNESS SCREENINGS, WELLNESS COACHING, WORKSITE LUNCH-AND-LEARNS ABOUT ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION, GROCERY STORE TOURS, CREATE A HEALTHY KITCHEN WORKSHOP SERIES, NATIONAL DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM, 5K EVENTS AND WALK TO SCHOOL DAY. HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN REACHED THROUGH THESE EFFORTS. ADDITIONALLY, NUTRITION COACHING PROGRAMS TARGETING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WERE PROMOTED AND FACILITATED IN THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING: COOKING CLASSES, NUTRITION EDUCATION AND WORKING WITH WIC FAMILIES IN ISANTI AND CHISAGO COUNTIES. ALLINA'S HEALTH POWERED KIDS PROGRAM WAS PROMOTED AT ALL COMMUNITY EVENTS AND A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM WAS GIVEN TO SCHOOL NURSES IN NORTH BRANCH. A COMMUNITY INDEX SURVEY SHOWED THAT THESE EFFORTS RESULTED IN COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF HEALTH POWERED KIDS MOVING FROM 3% IN 2013 TO 19% IN 2014.GOAL 2: INCREASE EDUCATION AND AWARENESS AMONG YOUTH AND PARENTS ABOUT THE EFFECTS, SIGNS AND IMPACT OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE.THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ISANTI COUNTY SHERIFF, THE FIRST PRESCRIPTION DRUG DROP-OFF BOX WAS PLACED IN APRIL OF 2014. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF PLACEMENT, THE BOX HAD COLLECTED CLOSE TO 600 POUNDS OF UNUSED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. TWO COMMUNITY PANELS WERE ALSO HELD THAT FOCUSED ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION, WITH ONE BEING FOCUSED ON IDENTIFYING RISKY USE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS AND THE OTHER FOCUSED ON TEACHING PARENTS AND EDUCATORS HOW TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF ADDICTION WITH CHILDREN. CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER ALSO PARTNERED WITH SCHOOLS TO ENHANCE EXISTING ADOLESCENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS WITH COMPONENTS FOCUSING ON RISKY USE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. GOAL 3. REDUCE THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH. TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER FOCUSED ON PARTNERING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS TO INCREASE EDUCATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND IDENTIFY RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH. OVER 150 COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE REACHED THROUGH EVENTS AND PROGRAMS SUCH AS NAMI MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID AND WELLNESS IN THE WOODS MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY. A FOCUS GROUP WAS ALSO CONVENED AT THE HOPE IN ACTION EVENT, WHICH ENGAGED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN A DISCUSSION AROUND MENTAL HEALTH WITH THE GOAL OF DECREASING STIGMA. ADDITIONALLY, ON MARCH 2, 2016 CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER PARTNERED WITH HOPE IN ACTION MN, ISANTI COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI SCHOOLS & COMMUNITY EDUCATION TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH A ""LET'S TALK ABOUT IT""-EVENT THAT INCLUDED OVER 20 BOOTHS WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES, FREE PIZZA, NATIONALLY RENOWNED SPEAKER DR. DAN REIDENBER AND AN ADULT AND YOUTH PANEL OF PEOPLE WHO SHARED THEIR STORIES ON HOW THEY HAD BEEN IMPACTED BY MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS IN THEIR OWN LIVES. COUNSELORS WERE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE EVENT. OVER 400 YOUTH AND PARENTS ATTENDED. ONE HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENT WERE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SOUGHT OUT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AS A RESULT OF THEIR ATTENDANCE. DURING THE EVENT, OVER A DOZEN INDIVIDUALS MET WITH THE EVENT'S COUNSELORS. DIRECTLY FOLLOWING, SIX STUDENTS FROM CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI HIGH SCHOOL REACHED OUT TO COUNSELORS, THREE FAMILIES REACHED OUT TO HOPE IN ACTION MN AND MANY MORE SOUGHT SUPPORT FROM NEW HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH.RESOURCES AVAILABLE THROUGH ALLINA THAT TARGET MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS WERE ALSO PROMOTED, INCLUDING NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTION GRANTS AND CHANGE TO CHILL. SPECIFICALLY, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER STAFF LED THE CHANGE TO CHILL CURRICULUM AT THE OAKLAND AREA LEARNING CENTER-AN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES OPTIONS FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS WHO EXPERIENCED A CHALLENGE SUCCEEDING IN THE FORMAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. AFTER PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM, STUDENTS REPORTED USING THE SKILLS THEY HAD LEARNED IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES."
GROUP A-FACILITY 5 -- CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13B: SEE RESPONSE TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 3C INCLUDED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI FOR EXPLANATION OF CRITERIA.
GROUP A-FACILITY 5 -- CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 24: NON-MEDICALLY NECESSARY OR RETAIL/COSMETIC PROCEDURES WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT.
GROUP A-FACILITY 6 -- BUFFALO HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: WE FIRST PUBLICIZED AN ONLINE SURVEY ON OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS IN ORDER TO GATHER GENERAL INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 1,000 RESPONSES TO THIS SURVEY-APPROXIMATELY 900 EMPLOYEES AND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.NEXT, WE HELD TWENTY-TWO COMMUNITY DIALOGUES OR FOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE GEOGRAPHY SERVED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM FEBRUARY-APRIL 2016. THE DIALOGUES WERE FACILITATED AND ORGANIZED BY A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR (THE IMPROVE GROUP) WITH EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISCUSSIONS OF KEY HEALTH ISSUES. MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE DIALOGUES/FOCUS GROUPS, PLANNING TEAMS THAT REVIEWED DATA AND COMMUNITY INPUT, OR BOTH. THE ATTENDEES WERE DIVERSE IN TERMS OF AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HELD ONE FOCUS GROUP FOR THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WITH INTERPRETATION, NEAR OUR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP SPECIFIC TO THE LIBERIAN COMMUNITY NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, INFORMAL AND FORMAL INTERPRETERS WERE USED AS NEEDED IN OUR EAST METRO AND SOUTH METRO DIALOGUES. DIALOGUES WERE ALSO HELD AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE HELD AT A PUBLIC HOUSING SITE IN ITS COMMUNITY ROOM.SOME COMMUNITY DIALOGUES WERE WELL-ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SERVE DIVERSE INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES, WHILE OTHERS WERE WELL- ATTENDED BY RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TIES. INVITATIONS WERE BROADLY SHARED TO GATHER AS MUCH DIVERSE INPUT AS POSSIBLE. SOME DIALOGUES WERE REPEATED OR RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED, IF WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO LOW ATTENDANCE/RSVPS. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF SPECIFIC INPUT THAT WAS SOUGHT BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED.
GROUP A-FACILITY 6 -- BUFFALO HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE 12 ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS - ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, UNITED HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL, UNITY HOSPITAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, BUFFALO HOSPITAL, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, OWATONNA HOSPITAL, REGINA HOSPITAL, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE USE A COORDINATED APPROACH AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON A GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL COMMUNITY BASIS. EACH REGIONAL CHNA CONTAINED ONLY ONE ALLINA HOSPITAL FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- MERCY HOSPITAL AND UNITY HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND OWATONNA HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY- REGINA HOSPITAL AND UNITED HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY
GROUP A-FACILITY 6 -- BUFFALO HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (SFRMC), A RELATED ORGANIZATION OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (AHS) WAS INCLUDED IN THE AHS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE SOUTH METRO REGION AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED BELOW.MINNESOTA:ANOKA, BROWN, CARVER, DAKOTA, HENNEPIN, ISANTI, RAMSEY, STEELE, SCOTT, WASHINGTON, AND WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. WISCONSIN:PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.IN SOME CASES, THE CHNA IS CONSIDERED A JOINT PRODUCT THROUGH FORMAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS THE HEALTHIER TOGETHER PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
GROUP A-FACILITY 6 -- BUFFALO HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: ALLINA HEALTH LAST ASSESSED COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH THIS FORMAL PROCESS IN 2016. ACROSS THE ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO PRIMARY NEEDS ARE NOW BEING ADDRESSED 2017-2019: HEALTHY WEIGHT (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM-WIDE INITIATIVES IN THESE AREAS INCLUDE: - CHANGE TO CHILL - (CTC) IS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES STRESS REDUCTION TIPS, LIFE BALANCE TECHNIQUES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEENS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2014, CTC HAS SERVED MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHO USE IT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEENS WHO USE IT IN SOCIAL GROUPS AND PARENTS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD STRESS LESS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PILOTED AN IN-PERSON DELIVERY MODEL OF THE CTC PROGRAM IN A TOTAL OF 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT FIVE COMMUNITIES ALLINA HEALTH SERVES. FIFTEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 253 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOL LIAISONS. MANY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THEY INTENDED TO USE WHAT THEY LEARNED AND GAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM. PARTICIPANTS ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO STRESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE IN THE STATE, ALLINA HEALTH BELIEVES IT SHOULD LEAD THE WAY IN ELIMINATING STIGMA WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. TO THIS END, THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTERNAL PROGRAM, BE THE CHANGE, IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTION AT ALLINA HEALTH AND ENSURE THAT ALL PATIENTS RECEIVE THE SAME CONSISTENT, EXCEPTIONAL CARE. MORE THAN 500 ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT AS TRAINED BE THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS AND HELP EDUCATE AND GENERATE AWARENESS AMONG THEIR COLLEAGUES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTIONS. THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY-MAY 2016. DURING THIS TIME CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT 492 MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 10,260, OR 38%, OF EMPLOYEES. WHILE THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, THE WORK IS ONGOING AND THE CAMPAIGN'S GOAL IS TO REACH ALL ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES.- NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION - (NHC) IS A COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EACH YEAR, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDS OVER 50 NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM $500-$10,000, TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN 2014 AND 2015 REACHED OVER 2,500 PARTICIPANTS BOTH YEARS AND A SIMILAR REACH IS EXPECTED IN 2016. EVALUATIONS OF THE NHC PROGRAM FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN NHC-FUNDED PROGRAMS INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOR. FURTHER, 2014 FOLLOW-UP DATA REVEALED THAT THESE POSITIVE CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY 80% OF GRANTEES CONTINUED TO OFFER THEIR ACTIVITY AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDED.- HEALTH POWERED KIDS - (HPK), LAUNCHED IN 2012, IS A FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 YEARS TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. IN 2015, APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PEOPLE VISITED THE HPK WEBSITE AND MORE THAN 5,500 CHILDREN WERE REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, 87% OF RESPONDENTS TO A USER SURVEY DESCRIBED HPK AS HELPFUL, VERY HELPFUL OR ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH AT THEIR HOME, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. THESE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ACHIEVED IN 2014.AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016, ALLINA HEALTH REMOVED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS AND INCREASED HEALTHY OFFERINGS IN ITS FACILITIES TO MODEL AND SUPPORT THE DIETARY CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN MAY 2016, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL REMOVED A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FROM ITS CAMPUS. THESE CHANGES SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF ALLINA HEALTH PATIENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES.CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ALLINA HEALTH INCLUDE A FOCUS ON HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND ON SUPPORTING SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE.BEYOND SYSTEM-WIDE ACTIVITIES, EACH HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SUCH AS:BUFFALO HOSPITAL: GOAL 1: REDUCE OBESITY AND INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BUFFALO HOSPITAL PARTNERED WITH LOCAL FOOD VENDORS AND PUBLIC HEALTH TO RAISE COMMUNITY AWARENESS ABOUT HEALTHY EATING AND INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDING: RAISING AWARENESS OF LOCAL FARMS, PROVIDING EDUCATION ON HOW TO IDENTIFY HEALTHY OPTIONS AT RESTAURANTS, SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING COMMUNITY GARDENS, PROVIDING COMMUNITY GROCERY STORE TOURS, EXPANDING COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) PROGRAMS AND HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS POLICY WORK AIMED AT INCREASING HEALTHY SNACKS AT SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS.EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ENCOURAGING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES WERE ALSO HELD FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN. ALLINA HEALTH'S HEALTH POWERED KIDS PROGRAMMING WAS PROMOTED AT THE BUFFALO EARLY FAMILY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FAMILY FUN FAIRS AND AT A CHILDCARE PROVIDER WORKSHOP FOR THE ST. CLOUD AREA. IN 2013, A FAMILY HEALTH CHALLENGE WAS LAUNCHED WHICH, TO DATE, HAS HAD 60 FAMILIES REGISTER. IN 2016, THE HOSPITAL STARTED TO OFFER THE HEALTH POWERED FAMILIES CURRICULUM TO AREA RESIDENTS-A FOUR-WEEK SERIES OF CLASSES WHICH PROVIDES HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 10. ADDITIONALLY, LET'S TALK WELLNESS PROGRAMS WERE HELD IN WORKPLACES AROUND THE COMMUNITY, WITH OVER 800 ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS BETWEEN 2013 AND 2014. HEALTHY EATING FOR SUCCESSFUL LIVING WORKSHOPS WERE HELD FOR PEOPLE OVER AGE 55 AT VARIOUS COMMUNITY SITES AND IN HOSPITAL SETTINGS. FROM 2013-2014, 60 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THESE WORKSHOPS AND 32 PARTICIPATED IN 2015. HEALTH FOR SENIORS WAS ALSO PURSUED THROUGH FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE SILVER SNEAKERS PROGRAM IN THE COMMUNITY. GOAL 2: INCREASE EARLY DETECTION AND IMPROVE SELF-MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC DISEASES.A PHYSICIAN-TO-COACH REFERRAL PROCESS WAS IMPLEMENTED TO CONNECT MORE PATIENTS WITH HEALTH COACHING RESOURCES. OVER 800 COACHING SESSIONS WERE HELD IN 2013 AND 2014, WHICH WAS EXPANDED TO OVER 1,000 SESSIONS IN 2015. FURTHER, NINE EVIDENCE-BASED LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC DISEASE WORKSHOPS WERE HELD IN THE COMMUNITY, REACHING 90 PARTICIPANTS. THESE LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC DISEASE WORKSHOPS WERE OFFERED IN COOPERATION WITH OTHER LOCAL CHARITIES TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS A FULL SPECTRUM OF COVERAGE WHILE MINIMIZING THE OVERLAP OF SERVICES. PROGRAMS WERE ALSO IMPLEMENTED TO INCREASE CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND DETECTION. BUFFALO HOSPITAL IMPLEMENTED A WALK WITH A DOC PROGRAM IN 2014, WHICH ALLOWS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN LOW-IMPACT EXERCISE, RECEIVE EDUCATION ON HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND DISEASE PREVENTION AND TO INTERACT WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OUTSIDE OF THE NORMAL CLINICAL SETTING. THE FIRST CYCLE OF THIS PROGRAM HAD 101 PARTICIPANTS. ADDITIONALLY, PARTNERSHIPS WERE ESTABLISHED WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND WORKPLACES TO HOLD SCREENINGS AND WELLNESS COACHING EVENTS FOR EMPLOYEES. IN 2013-14, 47 EVENTS WERE HELD WHICH REACHED A TOTAL OF 1,206 PEOPLE.GOAL 3. REDUCE STIGMA RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND INCREASE AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.HOSPITAL STAFF ATTENDED MEETINGS WITH TWO LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH GROUPS, WRIGHT COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND FOUR COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE, TO IDENTIFY RESOURCES AND DISCUSS ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH. AFTER, SEVERAL EVENTS WERE HELD TO LINK COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO THESE RESOURCES AND TO HELP REDUCE THE STIGMA RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH. AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THESE EVENTS IS THE EMOTION IN MOTION 5K, WHICH HELPS TO RAISE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND SUPPORTS FAMILIES TOUCHED BY SUICIDE. THIS EVENT HAD 300 PARTICIPANTS. A STUDY WAS ALSO IMPLEMENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DUKE UNIVERSITY, WHICH SEEKS TO PROMOTE HEALTH THROUGH HAPPINESS. PRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE PROJECT WERE GIVEN TO STUDENTS AND GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY AND OVER 2,700 PEOPLE ENROLLED IN THE STUDY. RESULTS ARE EXPECTED IN 2016. HOSPITAL STAFF WERE ALSO INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY GROUPS TO HELP SHAPE POLICY RELATED TO THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF YOUTH AND FAMILIES.
GROUP A-FACILITY 6 -- BUFFALO HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13B: SEE RESPONSE TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 3C INCLUDED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI FOR EXPLANATION OF CRITERIA.
GROUP A-FACILITY 6 -- BUFFALO HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 24: NON-MEDICALLY NECESSARY OR RETAIL/COSMETIC PROCEDURES WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT.
GROUP A-FACILITY 7 -- NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: WE FIRST PUBLICIZED AN ONLINE SURVEY ON OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS IN ORDER TO GATHER GENERAL INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 1,000 RESPONSES TO THIS SURVEY-APPROXIMATELY 900 EMPLOYEES AND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.NEXT, WE HELD TWENTY-TWO COMMUNITY DIALOGUES OR FOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE GEOGRAPHY SERVED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM FEBRUARY-APRIL 2016. THE DIALOGUES WERE FACILITATED AND ORGANIZED BY A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR (THE IMPROVE GROUP) WITH EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISCUSSIONS OF KEY HEALTH ISSUES. MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE DIALOGUES/FOCUS GROUPS, PLANNING TEAMS THAT REVIEWED DATA AND COMMUNITY INPUT, OR BOTH. THE ATTENDEES WERE DIVERSE IN TERMS OF AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HELD ONE FOCUS GROUP FOR THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WITH INTERPRETATION, NEAR OUR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP SPECIFIC TO THE LIBERIAN COMMUNITY NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, INFORMAL AND FORMAL INTERPRETERS WERE USED AS NEEDED IN OUR EAST METRO AND SOUTH METRO DIALOGUES. DIALOGUES WERE ALSO HELD AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE HELD AT A PUBLIC HOUSING SITE IN ITS COMMUNITY ROOM.SOME COMMUNITY DIALOGUES WERE WELL-ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SERVE DIVERSE INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES, WHILE OTHERS WERE WELL- ATTENDED BY RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TIES. INVITATIONS WERE BROADLY SHARED TO GATHER AS MUCH DIVERSE INPUT AS POSSIBLE. SOME DIALOGUES WERE REPEATED OR RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED, IF WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO LOW ATTENDANCE/RSVPS. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF SPECIFIC INPUT THAT WAS SOUGHT BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED.
GROUP A-FACILITY 7 -- NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE 12 ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS - ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, UNITED HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL, UNITY HOSPITAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, BUFFALO HOSPITAL, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, OWATONNA HOSPITAL, REGINA HOSPITAL, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE USE A COORDINATED APPROACH AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON A GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL COMMUNITY BASIS. EACH REGIONAL CHNA CONTAINED ONLY ONE ALLINA HOSPITAL FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- MERCY HOSPITAL AND UNITY HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND OWATONNA HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY- REGINA HOSPITAL AND UNITED HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY
GROUP A-FACILITY 7 -- NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (SFRMC), A RELATED ORGANIZATION OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (AHS) WAS INCLUDED IN THE AHS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE SOUTH METRO REGION AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED BELOW.MINNESOTA:ANOKA, BROWN, CARVER, DAKOTA, HENNEPIN, ISANTI, RAMSEY, STEELE, SCOTT, WASHINGTON, AND WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. WISCONSIN:PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.IN SOME CASES, THE CHNA IS CONSIDERED A JOINT PRODUCT THROUGH FORMAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS THE HEALTHIER TOGETHER PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
GROUP A-FACILITY 7 -- NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: ALLINA HEALTH LAST ASSESSED COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH THIS FORMAL PROCESS IN 2016. ACROSS THE ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO PRIMARY NEEDS ARE NOW BEING ADDRESSED 2017-2019: HEALTHY WEIGHT (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM-WIDE INITIATIVES IN THESE AREAS INCLUDE: - CHANGE TO CHILL - (CTC) IS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES STRESS REDUCTION TIPS, LIFE BALANCE TECHNIQUES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEENS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2014, CTC HAS SERVED MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHO USE IT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEENS WHO USE IT IN SOCIAL GROUPS AND PARENTS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD STRESS LESS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PILOTED AN IN-PERSON DELIVERY MODEL OF THE CTC PROGRAM IN A TOTAL OF 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT FIVE COMMUNITIES ALLINA HEALTH SERVES. FIFTEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 253 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOL LIAISONS. MANY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THEY INTENDED TO USE WHAT THEY LEARNED AND GAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM. PARTICIPANTS ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO STRESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE IN THE STATE, ALLINA HEALTH BELIEVES IT SHOULD LEAD THE WAY IN ELIMINATING STIGMA WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. TO THIS END, THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTERNAL PROGRAM, BE THE CHANGE, IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTION AT ALLINA HEALTH AND ENSURE THAT ALL PATIENTS RECEIVE THE SAME CONSISTENT, EXCEPTIONAL CARE. MORE THAN 500 ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT AS TRAINED BE THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS AND HELP EDUCATE AND GENERATE AWARENESS AMONG THEIR COLLEAGUES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTIONS. THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY-MAY 2016. DURING THIS TIME CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT 492 MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 10,260, OR 38%, OF EMPLOYEES. WHILE THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, THE WORK IS ONGOING AND THE CAMPAIGN'S GOAL IS TO REACH ALL ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES.- NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION - (NHC) IS A COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EACH YEAR, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDS OVER 50 NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM $500-$10,000, TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN 2014 AND 2015 REACHED OVER 2,500 PARTICIPANTS BOTH YEARS AND A SIMILAR REACH IS EXPECTED IN 2016. EVALUATIONS OF THE NHC PROGRAM FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN NHC-FUNDED PROGRAMS INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOR. FURTHER, 2014 FOLLOW-UP DATA REVEALED THAT THESE POSITIVE CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY 80% OF GRANTEES CONTINUED TO OFFER THEIR ACTIVITY AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDED.- HEALTH POWERED KIDS - (HPK), LAUNCHED IN 2012, IS A FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 YEARS TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. IN 2015, APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PEOPLE VISITED THE HPK WEBSITE AND MORE THAN 5,500 CHILDREN WERE REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, 87% OF RESPONDENTS TO A USER SURVEY DESCRIBED HPK AS HELPFUL, VERY HELPFUL OR ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH AT THEIR HOME, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. THESE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ACHIEVED IN 2014.AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016, ALLINA HEALTH REMOVED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS AND INCREASED HEALTHY OFFERINGS IN ITS FACILITIES TO MODEL AND SUPPORT THE DIETARY CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN MAY 2016, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL REMOVED A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FROM ITS CAMPUS. THESE CHANGES SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF ALLINA HEALTH PATIENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES.CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ALLINA HEALTH INCLUDE A FOCUS ON HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND ON SUPPORTING SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE.BEYOND SYSTEM-WIDE ACTIVITIES, EACH HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SUCH AS:NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER: GOAL 1: REDUCE OBESITY AND INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.THROUGH THE HEART OF NEW ULM, MANY HEALTHY LIFESTYLE PROGRAMS AND CHANGES WERE IMPLEMENTED TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN MAKING HEALTHY DECISIONS INCLUDING, BUT NO LIMITED TO: SCREENING 1,600 COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR HEART DISEASE RISK FACTORS, IMPROVING WALKABILITY IN THE COMMUNITY, OFFERING A COMMUNITY-WIDE HEALTH CHALLENGE AND PRODUCING HEALTHY COOKING SHOWS. A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PROVIDED NUMC WITH DATA AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT FAMILY-BASED AND DESIGN APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY. NUMC HAS ALSO BEEN CREATING AND SUPPORTING PROGRAMMING THAT COMBINES EDUCATIONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL ACTIVITIES AT WORKSITES AND IN THE COMMUNITY. QUARTERLY PRESENTATIONS PROVIDING WELLNESS EDUCATION HAVE BEEN GIVEN IN THE COMMUNITY, AND NUMC PARTNERS WITH OVER 30 INDUSTRIES ON WORKSITE WELLNESS. YOUTH WELLNESS WAS TARGETED THROUGH EXISTING ALLINA HEALTH PROGRAMS AND NEW WORK WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS. NUMC STAFF CONDUCTED FOUR COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS ABOUT ALLINA HEALTH'S HEALTH POWERED KIDS PROGRAM, 350 BIKES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL CHILDREN IN A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FREE BIKES FOR KIDZ AND SERTOMA'S SANTA'S CLOSET AND 400 STUDENTS RECEIVED ATHLETIC SHOES THROUGH NEW SHOES, HEALTHY KIDS. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOOD EXPLORERS PROGRAM AT LAFAYETTE CHARTER SCHOOL PROVIDED EDUCATION AND HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES RELATED TO HEALTHY FOODS. TO PROMOTE NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION FOR KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL, NEW ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES WERE PILOTED, A WALKING MAP FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WAS CREATED AND A STUDENT/PARENT SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED. GOAL 2. SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND PROVIDE EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE ABUSE.TO DECREASE ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, NUMC HAS BEEN SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING RESOURCES FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUG DROP OFF AND DISPOSAL SITES. THE HOSPITAL ALSO SUPPORTED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AIMED AT INCREASING AWARENESS OF MISUSE OF DRUGS AT WORKSITES, IN THE COMMUNITY AND AMONG YOUTH. FOR EXAMPLE, THE REASONABLE SUSPICION PROGRAM, WHICH IS TARGETED AT WORKSITES, WAS ATTENDED BY 40 PARTICIPANTS FROM A VARIETY OF INDUSTRIES, INSIGHT TRAINING WAS OFFERED TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO HELP THEM IDENTIFY SIGNS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THEMSELVES OR IN OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS; AND INTEGRATIVE WORKSHOPS FOCUSED ON HOW TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WERE OFFERED TO PARENTS AND EDUCATORS. ADDITIONALLY, HOSPITAL SUPPORT CONTINUED FOR THE UNDERAGE SUBSTANCE ABUSE COALITION TO CONTINUE VITAL PROGRAMMING AND STAFF TRAINING WAS PROVIDED TO NURSES TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF NEW DRUG TRENDS IN THE COMMUNITY. GOAL 3. IMPROVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH-RELATED RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY AND ADDRESS STIGMA RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.PRESENTATIONS ON DEPRESSION, STRESS AND ANXIETY WERE GIVEN TO 100 PARTICIPANTS AT THREE WORKSITES, AND A SCREENING TOOL WAS PROVIDED TO ALL PARTICIPANTS. FREE DEPRESSION SCREENING AND COUNSELING WAS ALSO PROVIDED ON NATIONAL DEPRESSION DAY. ALLINA HEALTH'S CHANGE TO CHILL PROGRAMMING, WHICH TARGETS STRESS MANAGEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS, WAS PROMOTED THROUGH NUMEROUS PRESENTATIONS TO SCHOOLS AND AN EMAIL SENT TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS. ADDITIONALLY, SEVEN NUMC STAFF ATTENDED A TRAINING ON ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES TO LEARN ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES RELATED TO ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EVENTS. NUMC HAS ALSO BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGING PROVIDERS IN PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS AROUND MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS WITH THE GOAL OF DECREASING STIGMA. TO THIS END, A COMMUNITY-WIDE MAKE IT OKAY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN WAS CONDUCTED WITH BROWN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.
GROUP A-FACILITY 7 -- NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13B: SEE RESPONSE TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 3C INCLUDED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI FOR EXPLANATION OF CRITERIA.
GROUP A-FACILITY 7 -- NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER PART V, SECTION B, LINE 24: NON-MEDICALLY NECESSARY OR RETAIL/COSMETIC PROCEDURES WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT.
GROUP A-FACILITY 8 -- OWATONNA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: WE FIRST PUBLICIZED AN ONLINE SURVEY ON OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS IN ORDER TO GATHER GENERAL INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 1,000 RESPONSES TO THIS SURVEY-APPROXIMATELY 900 EMPLOYEES AND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.NEXT, WE HELD TWENTY-TWO COMMUNITY DIALOGUES OR FOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE GEOGRAPHY SERVED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM FEBRUARY-APRIL 2016. THE DIALOGUES WERE FACILITATED AND ORGANIZED BY A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR (THE IMPROVE GROUP) WITH EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISCUSSIONS OF KEY HEALTH ISSUES. MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE DIALOGUES/FOCUS GROUPS, PLANNING TEAMS THAT REVIEWED DATA AND COMMUNITY INPUT, OR BOTH. THE ATTENDEES WERE DIVERSE IN TERMS OF AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HELD ONE FOCUS GROUP FOR THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WITH INTERPRETATION, NEAR OUR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP SPECIFIC TO THE LIBERIAN COMMUNITY NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, INFORMAL AND FORMAL INTERPRETERS WERE USED AS NEEDED IN OUR EAST METRO AND SOUTH METRO DIALOGUES. DIALOGUES WERE ALSO HELD AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE HELD AT A PUBLIC HOUSING SITE IN ITS COMMUNITY ROOM.SOME COMMUNITY DIALOGUES WERE WELL-ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SERVE DIVERSE INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES, WHILE OTHERS WERE WELL- ATTENDED BY RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TIES. INVITATIONS WERE BROADLY SHARED TO GATHER AS MUCH DIVERSE INPUT AS POSSIBLE. SOME DIALOGUES WERE REPEATED OR RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED, IF WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO LOW ATTENDANCE/RSVPS. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF SPECIFIC INPUT THAT WAS SOUGHT BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED.
GROUP A-FACILITY 8 -- OWATONNA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE 12 ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS - ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, UNITED HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL, UNITY HOSPITAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, BUFFALO HOSPITAL, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, OWATONNA HOSPITAL, REGINA HOSPITAL, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE USE A COORDINATED APPROACH AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON A GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL COMMUNITY BASIS. EACH REGIONAL CHNA CONTAINED ONLY ONE ALLINA HOSPITAL FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- MERCY HOSPITAL AND UNITY HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND OWATONNA HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY- REGINA HOSPITAL AND UNITED HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY
GROUP A-FACILITY 8 -- OWATONNA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (SFRMC), A RELATED ORGANIZATION OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (AHS) WAS INCLUDED IN THE AHS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE SOUTH METRO REGION AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED BELOW.MINNESOTA:ANOKA, BROWN, CARVER, DAKOTA, HENNEPIN, ISANTI, RAMSEY, STEELE, SCOTT, WASHINGTON, AND WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. WISCONSIN:PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.IN SOME CASES, THE CHNA IS CONSIDERED A JOINT PRODUCT THROUGH FORMAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS THE HEALTHIER TOGETHER PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
GROUP A-FACILITY 8 -- OWATONNA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: ALLINA HEALTH LAST ASSESSED COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH THIS FORMAL PROCESS IN 2016. ACROSS THE ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO PRIMARY NEEDS ARE NOW BEING ADDRESSED 2017-2019: HEALTHY WEIGHT (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM-WIDE INITIATIVES IN THESE AREAS INCLUDE: - CHANGE TO CHILL - (CTC) IS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES STRESS REDUCTION TIPS, LIFE BALANCE TECHNIQUES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEENS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2014, CTC HAS SERVED MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHO USE IT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEENS WHO USE IT IN SOCIAL GROUPS AND PARENTS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD STRESS LESS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PILOTED AN IN-PERSON DELIVERY MODEL OF THE CTC PROGRAM IN A TOTAL OF 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT FIVE COMMUNITIES ALLINA HEALTH SERVES. FIFTEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 253 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOL LIAISONS. MANY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THEY INTENDED TO USE WHAT THEY LEARNED AND GAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM. PARTICIPANTS ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO STRESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE IN THE STATE, ALLINA HEALTH BELIEVES IT SHOULD LEAD THE WAY IN ELIMINATING STIGMA WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. TO THIS END, THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTERNAL PROGRAM, BE THE CHANGE, IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTION AT ALLINA HEALTH AND ENSURE THAT ALL PATIENTS RECEIVE THE SAME CONSISTENT, EXCEPTIONAL CARE. MORE THAN 500 ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT AS TRAINED BE THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS AND HELP EDUCATE AND GENERATE AWARENESS AMONG THEIR COLLEAGUES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTIONS. THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY-MAY 2016. DURING THIS TIME CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT 492 MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 10,260, OR 38%, OF EMPLOYEES. WHILE THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, THE WORK IS ONGOING AND THE CAMPAIGN'S GOAL IS TO REACH ALL ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES.- NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION - (NHC) IS A COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EACH YEAR, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDS OVER 50 NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM $500-$10,000, TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN 2014 AND 2015 REACHED OVER 2,500 PARTICIPANTS BOTH YEARS AND A SIMILAR REACH IS EXPECTED IN 2016. EVALUATIONS OF THE NHC PROGRAM FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN NHC-FUNDED PROGRAMS INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOR. FURTHER, 2014 FOLLOW-UP DATA REVEALED THAT THESE POSITIVE CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY 80% OF GRANTEES CONTINUED TO OFFER THEIR ACTIVITY AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDED.- HEALTH POWERED KIDS - (HPK), LAUNCHED IN 2012, IS A FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 YEARS TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. IN 2015, APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PEOPLE VISITED THE HPK WEBSITE AND MORE THAN 5,500 CHILDREN WERE REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, 87% OF RESPONDENTS TO A USER SURVEY DESCRIBED HPK AS HELPFUL, VERY HELPFUL OR ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH AT THEIR HOME, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. THESE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ACHIEVED IN 2014.AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016, ALLINA HEALTH REMOVED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS AND INCREASED HEALTHY OFFERINGS IN ITS FACILITIES TO MODEL AND SUPPORT THE DIETARY CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN MAY 2016, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL REMOVED A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FROM ITS CAMPUS. THESE CHANGES SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF ALLINA HEALTH PATIENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES.CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ALLINA HEALTH INCLUDE A FOCUS ON HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND ON SUPPORTING SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE.BEYOND SYSTEM-WIDE ACTIVITIES, EACH HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SUCH AS:OWATONNA HOSPITAL: GOAL 1: INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THROUGH POLICY, SYSTEM AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES.OWATONNA HOSPITAL HAS BEEN ENGAGING IN WORK ON THIS GOAL THROUGH PARTICIPATING IN TWO STATEWIDE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS (SHIP) AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO MAKE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MORE SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY. FOR EXAMPLE, THE HOSPITAL SUPPORTED WORKSITE WELLNESS INITIATIVES WITHIN THE HOSPITAL AND IN THE COMMUNITY. TO THIS END, OWATONNA HOSPITAL PARTNERED WITH THE STEELE COUNTY WORKSITE WELLNESS COALITION AND HAS ALSO STARTED WORK ON A MENU OF SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH ALLINA HEALTH THAT CAN BE PROMOTED TO LOCAL EMPLOYERS. ADDITIONAL HOSPITAL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THIS GOAL INCLUDE PROVIDING: CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTION GRANTS TO LOCAL NON-PROFITS, ATHLETIC TRAINING TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND EMPLOYERS THROUGH THE COURAGE KENNY REHAB INSTITUTE AND ASSISTANCE WITH THE COORDINATION OF TWO DIFFERENT RUN/WALK EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY. GOAL 2. HEALTHY EATING. INCREASE THE CONSUMPTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. DECREASE CONSUMPTION OF LESS HEALTHY OPTIONS. INCREASE BREASTFEEDING EDUCATION AND SUPPORTS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE ACTIVITIES THE HOSPITAL HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN UNDER THIS GOAL HAVE INCLUDED WORK WITH LOCAL POLICY MAKERS, SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY GARDENS AND OTHER GROUPS THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING AND CREATING A NEW BREASTFEEDING COALITION. THE HOSPITAL HAS CONTINUED ITS INVOLVEMENT WITH SHIP COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TEAMS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE REDUCTION OF UNHEALTHY CHOICES IN SCHOOL CAFETERIAS AND VENDING MACHINES. ALSO, THROUGH MEMBERSHIP IN THE OWATONNA HEALTHY EATING WORK GROUP, A MOBILE FARMER'S MARKET MODEL IS BEING DEVELOPED WHICH WILL DISTRIBUTE CSA SHARES TO LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS. CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTION GRANTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO LOCAL GROUPS SUPPORTING HEALTHY EATING AND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL GARDENS. TO INCREASE THE USE OF FARMER'S MARKETS, ALLINA HEALTH BUCKS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL NON-PROFITS AND AT ALLINA SITES. THESE ALLINA HEALTH BUCKS ALLOW FAMILIES TO PURCHASE HEALTHY OPTIONS FROM THE FARMERS MARKETS AND INCREASE THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR FARMERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MARKETS. FINALLY, THE SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA BREASTFEEDING COALITION WAS FORMED, INCLUDING A FACEBOOK PAGE, LOGO, MISSION STATEMENT AND A FLYER. THIS GROUP INCLUDES ENGAGEMENT FROM STEELE, RICE, DODGE, AND WASECA COUNTIES. GOAL 3. DEPRESSION. REDUCE NEGATIVE SOCIAL STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, SPECIFICALLY DEPRESSION. INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR TREATING DEPRESSION. INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION, INCLUDING POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION.THE HOSPITAL HAS BEEN INCREASING EFFORTS TO PROVIDE BETTER MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND TO SUPPORT THE MENTAL WELLNESS OF FAMILIES AND MOTHERS. A GRANT THROUGH THE SOUTH COUNTRY HEALTH ALLIANCE HAS ALLOWED FOR EXPANSION OF THE IN REACH AND CARE TRANSITIONS INTEGRATION PROGRAMS. THESE EXPANSIONS WERE SPECIFICALLY TARGETED AT PROVIDING REFERRALS AND CARE MANAGEMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION. AN EMERGENCY DIAPER BANK WAS ALSO ESTABLISHED IN STEELE COUNTY FOR FAMILIES IN CRISIS, AS RESEARCH HAS SHOWN A CORRELATION BETWEEN A LACK OF ABILITY TO PROVIDE DIAPERS AND MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS. THROUGH THE MY BABY AND ME INITIATIVE, THE HOSPITAL HAS BEEN WORKING TO CREATE AN ACTIVE REFERRAL SYSTEM AND SUPPORT NETWORK FOR MOMS EXPERIENCING POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION. GOAL 4: ORAL HEALTH. REDUCE ORAL DISEASE BURDEN AND DISABILITY, ESPECIALLY IN POOR AND MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS. PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND REDUCE RISK FACTORS TO ORAL HEALTH THAT ARISE FROM ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC AND BEHAVIORAL CAUSES. INCREASE ACCESS TO ORAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.THE HOSPITAL PARTNERED WITH WOTTRENG FAMILY DENTAL TO PUT ON A HALLOWEEN CANDY BUYBACK EVENT. THIS EVENT WAS ATTENDED BY 150 PARENTS AND CHILDREN. ORAL HEALTH CARE INFORMATION, TOOTHBRUSHES AND TOOTHPASTE WERE PROVIDED TO ALL WHO ATTENDED THIS EVENT.
GROUP A-FACILITY 8 -- OWATONNA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13B: SEE RESPONSE TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 3C INCLUDED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI FOR EXPLANATION OF CRITERIA.
GROUP A-FACILITY 8 -- OWATONNA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 24: NON-MEDICALLY NECESSARY OR RETAIL/COSMETIC PROCEDURES WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT.
GROUP A-FACILITY 9 -- REGINA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: WE FIRST PUBLICIZED AN ONLINE SURVEY ON OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS IN ORDER TO GATHER GENERAL INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 1,000 RESPONSES TO THIS SURVEY-APPROXIMATELY 900 EMPLOYEES AND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.NEXT, WE HELD TWENTY-TWO COMMUNITY DIALOGUES OR FOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE GEOGRAPHY SERVED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM FEBRUARY-APRIL 2016. THE DIALOGUES WERE FACILITATED AND ORGANIZED BY A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR (THE IMPROVE GROUP) WITH EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISCUSSIONS OF KEY HEALTH ISSUES. MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE DIALOGUES/FOCUS GROUPS, PLANNING TEAMS THAT REVIEWED DATA AND COMMUNITY INPUT, OR BOTH. THE ATTENDEES WERE DIVERSE IN TERMS OF AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HELD ONE FOCUS GROUP FOR THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WITH INTERPRETATION, NEAR OUR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP SPECIFIC TO THE LIBERIAN COMMUNITY NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, INFORMAL AND FORMAL INTERPRETERS WERE USED AS NEEDED IN OUR EAST METRO AND SOUTH METRO DIALOGUES. DIALOGUES WERE ALSO HELD AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE HELD AT A PUBLIC HOUSING SITE IN ITS COMMUNITY ROOM.SOME COMMUNITY DIALOGUES WERE WELL-ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SERVE DIVERSE INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES, WHILE OTHERS WERE WELL- ATTENDED BY RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TIES. INVITATIONS WERE BROADLY SHARED TO GATHER AS MUCH DIVERSE INPUT AS POSSIBLE. SOME DIALOGUES WERE REPEATED OR RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED, IF WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO LOW ATTENDANCE/RSVPS. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF SPECIFIC INPUT THAT WAS SOUGHT BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED.
GROUP A-FACILITY 9 -- REGINA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE 12 ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS - ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, UNITED HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL, UNITY HOSPITAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, BUFFALO HOSPITAL, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, OWATONNA HOSPITAL, REGINA HOSPITAL, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE USE A COORDINATED APPROACH AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON A GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL COMMUNITY BASIS. EACH REGIONAL CHNA CONTAINED ONLY ONE ALLINA HOSPITAL FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- MERCY HOSPITAL AND UNITY HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND OWATONNA HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY- REGINA HOSPITAL AND UNITED HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY
GROUP A-FACILITY 9 -- REGINA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (SFRMC), A RELATED ORGANIZATION OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (AHS) WAS INCLUDED IN THE AHS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE SOUTH METRO REGION AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED BELOW.MINNESOTA:ANOKA, BROWN, CARVER, DAKOTA, HENNEPIN, ISANTI, RAMSEY, STEELE, SCOTT, WASHINGTON, AND WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. WISCONSIN:PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.IN SOME CASES, THE CHNA IS CONSIDERED A JOINT PRODUCT THROUGH FORMAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS THE HEALTHIER TOGETHER PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
GROUP A-FACILITY 9 -- REGINA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: ALLINA HEALTH LAST ASSESSED COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH THIS FORMAL PROCESS IN 2016. ACROSS THE ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO PRIMARY NEEDS ARE NOW BEING ADDRESSED 2017-2019: HEALTHY WEIGHT (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM-WIDE INITIATIVES IN THESE AREAS INCLUDE: - CHANGE TO CHILL - (CTC) IS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES STRESS REDUCTION TIPS, LIFE BALANCE TECHNIQUES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEENS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2014, CTC HAS SERVED MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHO USE IT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEENS WHO USE IT IN SOCIAL GROUPS AND PARENTS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD STRESS LESS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PILOTED AN IN-PERSON DELIVERY MODEL OF THE CTC PROGRAM IN A TOTAL OF 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT FIVE COMMUNITIES ALLINA HEALTH SERVES. FIFTEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 253 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOL LIAISONS. MANY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THEY INTENDED TO USE WHAT THEY LEARNED AND GAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM. PARTICIPANTS ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO STRESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE IN THE STATE, ALLINA HEALTH BELIEVES IT SHOULD LEAD THE WAY IN ELIMINATING STIGMA WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. TO THIS END, THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTERNAL PROGRAM, BE THE CHANGE, IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTION AT ALLINA HEALTH AND ENSURE THAT ALL PATIENTS RECEIVE THE SAME CONSISTENT, EXCEPTIONAL CARE. MORE THAN 500 ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT AS TRAINED BE THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS AND HELP EDUCATE AND GENERATE AWARENESS AMONG THEIR COLLEAGUES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTIONS. THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY-MAY 2016. DURING THIS TIME CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT 492 MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 10,260, OR 38%, OF EMPLOYEES. WHILE THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, THE WORK IS ONGOING AND THE CAMPAIGN'S GOAL IS TO REACH ALL ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES.- NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION - (NHC) IS A COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EACH YEAR, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDS OVER 50 NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM $500-$10,000, TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN 2014 AND 2015 REACHED OVER 2,500 PARTICIPANTS BOTH YEARS AND A SIMILAR REACH IS EXPECTED IN 2016. EVALUATIONS OF THE NHC PROGRAM FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN NHC-FUNDED PROGRAMS INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOR. FURTHER, 2014 FOLLOW-UP DATA REVEALED THAT THESE POSITIVE CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY 80% OF GRANTEES CONTINUED TO OFFER THEIR ACTIVITY AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDED.- HEALTH POWERED KIDS - (HPK), LAUNCHED IN 2012, IS A FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 YEARS TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. IN 2015, APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PEOPLE VISITED THE HPK WEBSITE AND MORE THAN 5,500 CHILDREN WERE REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, 87% OF RESPONDENTS TO A USER SURVEY DESCRIBED HPK AS HELPFUL, VERY HELPFUL OR ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH AT THEIR HOME, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. THESE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ACHIEVED IN 2014.AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016, ALLINA HEALTH REMOVED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS AND INCREASED HEALTHY OFFERINGS IN ITS FACILITIES TO MODEL AND SUPPORT THE DIETARY CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN MAY 2016, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL REMOVED A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FROM ITS CAMPUS. THESE CHANGES SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF ALLINA HEALTH PATIENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES.CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ALLINA HEALTH INCLUDE A FOCUS ON HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND ON SUPPORTING SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE.BEYOND SYSTEM-WIDE ACTIVITIES, EACH HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SUCH AS:REGINA HOSPITAL: GOAL 1: PROMOTE INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PROPER NUTRITION TO FIGHT OBESITY IN ADULTS AND YOUTH.THROUGH A THREE-YEAR HEALTHY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP GRANT, REGINA HOSPITAL PROVIDED OVER 800 HEALTH SCREENINGS, 200 HEALTH COACHING SESSIONS AND DOZENS OF OTHER HEALTH PROMOTION ACTIVITIES. APPROXIMATELY 2,000 PEOPLE WERE REACHED AS A RESULT OF THESE ACTIVITIES.GOAL 2. INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.REGINA HOSPITAL HAS BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THE MNSURE EXCHANGE TO HELP PATIENTS ENROLL IN HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS. WE HAVE BEEN PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN HELPING OUR PATIENTS NAVIGATE THE EXCHANGE TO FIND PUBLIC INSURANCE PLANS OR SUBSIDIZED PLANS THAT WILL HELP PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES MAINTAIN HEALTH CARE COVERAGE. ADDITIONALLY, REGINA HOSPITAL STAFF HOSTED AN OUTREACH EVENT AT A FARM-TRUCK FOOD MARKET GATHERING TO HELP EDUCATE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT MNSURE. GOAL 3. PROMOTE CANCER SCREENINGS.OVER THE COURSE OF 2013 AND 2014, REGINA HOSPITAL HOSTED SEVEN MINGLE AND MAMMOGRAM PARTIES-EVENT THROUGH WHICH DOZENS OF PATIENTS RECEIVED MAMMOGRAM SCREENINGS. TO PROMOTE COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING, ALLINA HEALTH CLINICS STAFFED THE DON'T FEAR THE REAR CAMPAIGN AND PARADE, PROVIDING INFORMATION TO AN ESTIMATED 3,000 PEOPLE OR MORE. GOAL 4. MENTAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND SUICIDE PREVENTIONCHANGE TO CHILL MENTAL HEALTH AND STRESS MANAGEMENT RESOURCES WERE PROVIDED TO AREA MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS IN OCTOBER OF 2014. OVER 1,400 STUDENTS WERE PROVIDED THESE RESOURCES TO HELP FIND WAYS TO BETTER MANAGE STRESS AND BALANCE THEIR LIVES. ADDITIONALLY, ALLINA HEALTH BEGAN PROVIDING ANNUAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE HASTINGS HIGH SCHOOL PEER HELPER PROGRAM. GOAL 5. PROVIDE PATIENT EDUCATION ABOUT MISUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. RESPONDING TO A RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE DAKOTA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHICH SHOWED AN INCREASING CONCERN ABOUT MISUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN THE COMMUNITY, REGINA HOSPITAL CONDUCTED A PRESENTATION WITH A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION ABOUT THE PROPER USE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. WE HAVE ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE AMERICAN DRUG COUNCIL TO INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG MISUSE.
GROUP A-FACILITY 9 -- REGINA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13B: SEE RESPONSE TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 3C INCLUDED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI FOR EXPLANATION OF CRITERIA.
GROUP A-FACILITY 9 -- REGINA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 24: NON-MEDICALLY NECESSARY OR RETAIL/COSMETIC PROCEDURES WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT.
GROUP A-FACILITY 11 -- RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: WE FIRST PUBLICIZED AN ONLINE SURVEY ON OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS IN ORDER TO GATHER GENERAL INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 1,000 RESPONSES TO THIS SURVEY-APPROXIMATELY 900 EMPLOYEES AND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.NEXT, WE HELD TWENTY-TWO COMMUNITY DIALOGUES OR FOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE GEOGRAPHY SERVED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM FEBRUARY-APRIL 2016. THE DIALOGUES WERE FACILITATED AND ORGANIZED BY A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR (THE IMPROVE GROUP) WITH EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISCUSSIONS OF KEY HEALTH ISSUES. MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE DIALOGUES/FOCUS GROUPS, PLANNING TEAMS THAT REVIEWED DATA AND COMMUNITY INPUT, OR BOTH. THE ATTENDEES WERE DIVERSE IN TERMS OF AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HELD ONE FOCUS GROUP FOR THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WITH INTERPRETATION, NEAR OUR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP SPECIFIC TO THE LIBERIAN COMMUNITY NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, INFORMAL AND FORMAL INTERPRETERS WERE USED AS NEEDED IN OUR EAST METRO AND SOUTH METRO DIALOGUES. DIALOGUES WERE ALSO HELD AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE HELD AT A PUBLIC HOUSING SITE IN ITS COMMUNITY ROOM.SOME COMMUNITY DIALOGUES WERE WELL-ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SERVE DIVERSE INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES, WHILE OTHERS WERE WELL- ATTENDED BY RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TIES. INVITATIONS WERE BROADLY SHARED TO GATHER AS MUCH DIVERSE INPUT AS POSSIBLE. SOME DIALOGUES WERE REPEATED OR RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED, IF WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO LOW ATTENDANCE/RSVPS. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF SPECIFIC INPUT THAT WAS SOUGHT BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED.
GROUP A-FACILITY 11 -- RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE 12 ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS - ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, UNITED HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL, UNITY HOSPITAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, BUFFALO HOSPITAL, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, OWATONNA HOSPITAL, REGINA HOSPITAL, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE USE A COORDINATED APPROACH AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON A GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL COMMUNITY BASIS. EACH REGIONAL CHNA CONTAINED ONLY ONE ALLINA HOSPITAL FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- MERCY HOSPITAL AND UNITY HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND OWATONNA HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY- REGINA HOSPITAL AND UNITED HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY
GROUP A-FACILITY 11 -- RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (SFRMC), A RELATED ORGANIZATION OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (AHS) WAS INCLUDED IN THE AHS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE SOUTH METRO REGION AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED BELOW.MINNESOTA:ANOKA, BROWN, CARVER, DAKOTA, HENNEPIN, ISANTI, RAMSEY, STEELE, SCOTT, WASHINGTON, AND WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. WISCONSIN:PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.IN SOME CASES, THE CHNA IS CONSIDERED A JOINT PRODUCT THROUGH FORMAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS THE HEALTHIER TOGETHER PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
GROUP A-FACILITY 11 -- RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: "ALLINA HEALTH LAST ASSESSED COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH THIS FORMAL PROCESS IN 2016. ACROSS THE ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO PRIMARY NEEDS ARE NOW BEING ADDRESSED 2017-2019: HEALTHY WEIGHT (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM-WIDE INITIATIVES IN THESE AREAS INCLUDE: - CHANGE TO CHILL - (CTC) IS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES STRESS REDUCTION TIPS, LIFE BALANCE TECHNIQUES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEENS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2014, CTC HAS SERVED MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHO USE IT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEENS WHO USE IT IN SOCIAL GROUPS AND PARENTS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD STRESS LESS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PILOTED AN IN-PERSON DELIVERY MODEL OF THE CTC PROGRAM IN A TOTAL OF 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT FIVE COMMUNITIES ALLINA HEALTH SERVES. FIFTEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 253 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOL LIAISONS. MANY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THEY INTENDED TO USE WHAT THEY LEARNED AND GAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM. PARTICIPANTS ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO STRESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE IN THE STATE, ALLINA HEALTH BELIEVES IT SHOULD LEAD THE WAY IN ELIMINATING STIGMA WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. TO THIS END, THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTERNAL PROGRAM, BE THE CHANGE, IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTION AT ALLINA HEALTH AND ENSURE THAT ALL PATIENTS RECEIVE THE SAME CONSISTENT, EXCEPTIONAL CARE. MORE THAN 500 ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT AS TRAINED BE THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS AND HELP EDUCATE AND GENERATE AWARENESS AMONG THEIR COLLEAGUES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTIONS. THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY-MAY 2016. DURING THIS TIME CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT 492 MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 10,260, OR 38%, OF EMPLOYEES. WHILE THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, THE WORK IS ONGOING AND THE CAMPAIGN'S GOAL IS TO REACH ALL ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES.- NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION - (NHC) IS A COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EACH YEAR, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDS OVER 50 NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM $500-$10,000, TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN 2014 AND 2015 REACHED OVER 2,500 PARTICIPANTS BOTH YEARS AND A SIMILAR REACH IS EXPECTED IN 2016. EVALUATIONS OF THE NHC PROGRAM FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN NHC-FUNDED PROGRAMS INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOR. FURTHER, 2014 FOLLOW-UP DATA REVEALED THAT THESE POSITIVE CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY 80% OF GRANTEES CONTINUED TO OFFER THEIR ACTIVITY AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDED.- HEALTH POWERED KIDS - (HPK), LAUNCHED IN 2012, IS A FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 YEARS TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. IN 2015, APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PEOPLE VISITED THE HPK WEBSITE AND MORE THAN 5,500 CHILDREN WERE REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, 87% OF RESPONDENTS TO A USER SURVEY DESCRIBED HPK AS HELPFUL, VERY HELPFUL OR ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH AT THEIR HOME, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. THESE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ACHIEVED IN 2014.AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016, ALLINA HEALTH REMOVED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS AND INCREASED HEALTHY OFFERINGS IN ITS FACILITIES TO MODEL AND SUPPORT THE DIETARY CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN MAY 2016, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL REMOVED A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FROM ITS CAMPUS. THESE CHANGES SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF ALLINA HEALTH PATIENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES.CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ALLINA HEALTH INCLUDE A FOCUS ON HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND ON SUPPORTING SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE.BEYOND SYSTEM-WIDE ACTIVITIES, EACH HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SUCH AS:RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL (HEALTHIER TOGETHER):PIERCE COUNTY:GOAL 1: INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THROUGH CHANGES TO THE ENVIRONMENT, POLICY, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT.RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL (RFAH) PROVIDED CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT HEALTH EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. THESE INCLUDE A NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANT THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE ELLSWORTH SENIOR CENTER TO START A WALKING PROGRAM, A $1,600 CONTRIBUTION TO PURCHASE NEW TRAIL SIGNS FOR KINNICKINNIC STATE PARK AND OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS TO ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ON NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND/OR MENTAL WELLNESS. THROUGH THE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP, WELLNESS ASSESSMENTS, EDUCATION AND COACHING SESSIONS WERE HELD AT WORKSITES IN THE COMMUNITY. IN 2014, 505 PEOPLE RECEIVED WELLNESS ASSESSMENTS AND 287 RECEIVED ASSESSMENTS IN 2015. ADDITIONALLY, OVER 200 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN EDUCATION AND/OR COACHING SESSIONS IN 2014, AND OVER 150 PARTICIPATED IN 2015. TO INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SCHOOLS, AT LEAST ONE OF THE WI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION'S ACTIVE SCHOOLS-CORE 4+ STRATEGIES WAS IMPLEMENTED IN ALL BUT ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTY.FINALLY, PUBLIC HEALTH AND HOSPITAL STAFF ENGAGED LOCAL POLICYMAKERS ON TOPICS TO MAKE NON-MOTORIZED COMMUTING MORE SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE. THIS LED TO IDENTIFICATION OF A DANGEROUS HIGHWAY CROSSING IN ELLSWORTH AND THE INSTALLATION OF PROPER SIGNAGE, AS WELL AS THE PREVENTION OF A TOTAL REPEAL OF THE COMPLETE STREETS POLICY AT THE STATE LEVEL. GOAL 2. HEALTHY EATING: INCREASE THE CONSUMPTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. DECREASE CONSUMPTION OF SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND OTHER LESS NUTRITIOUS FOOD. INCREASE BREASTFEEDING.IN 2014, COOKING CLASSES WERE LAUNCHED AT RFAH. THESE CLASSES HAVE CONTINUED TO GROW IN POPULARITY, AND MOST CLASSES IN 2015 WERE FULL AND HAD A WAITING LIST. A WORKSITE WELLNESS WORKSHOP SERIES WAS ALSO DEVELOPED, WHICH INCLUDED PRESENTATIONS ON HEALTHY VENDING AND THE BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING. AS A RESULT OF THIS AND OTHER OUTREACH WORK, FIVE LOCAL BUSINESSES UPDATED OR ADDED A BREAST FEEDING/PUMPING POLICY TO THEIR EMPLOYEE MANUAL AND/OR MADE CHANGES TO THEIR FACILITY TO BETTER ACCOMMODATE EMPLOYEES WISHING TO PUMP AT WORK. THE HOSPITAL'S ""BABY CAFE"" PROGRAM HAS ALSO BEEN GROWING, AND CONTINUES TO PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT AND BREASTFEEDING EDUCATION FOR NEW AND EXPECTANT MOTHERS. ADDITIONALLY, WORK IS BEING DONE TO INCREASE HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES. INCENTIVES FOR SNAP PARTICIPANTS CONTINUE TO BE OFFERED AT THE RIVER FALLS FARMERS MARKET WITH SUPPORT FROM THE ALLINA HEALTH CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS PROGRAM. A TEAM OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM HOSPITALS, PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, UW-EXTENSION AND OTHER PARTNERS IN PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES PARTICIPATED IN THE HEALTHY WISCONSIN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE'S (HWLI) COMMUNITY TEAMS PROGRAM, WITH A FOCUS ON FOOD INSECURITY. THE RELATIONSHIPS, RESOURCES AND SKILLS DEVELOPED DURING THE YEAR-LONG PROGRAM WILL BE AN ASSET AS THE REGION CONTINUES TO RESPOND TO ISSUES OF POOR NUTRITION AND FOOD INSECURITY.ST CROIX COUNTY:GOAL 1. IMPROVE NUTRITION OF ST. CROIX COUNTY RESIDENTS BY INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS AND SUPPORTING SUSTAINED BREASTFEEDING. THE HEALTHY FOODS TASK FORCE HAS BEEN WORKING TOWARDS THE GOAL OF IMPROVING NUTRITION OF RESIDENTS BY INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS AND SUPPORTING SUSTAINED BREASTFEEDING. GOAL 2. IMPROVE ORAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND PARTICIPANTS IN THE ST. CROIX COUNTY SCHOOL BACKPACK PROGRAM. THE ORAL HEALTH TASK FORCE FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE ORAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN THE ST. CROIX COUNTY SCHOOL BACKPACK PROGRAM. WITH THE SUPPORT OF DONATIONS FROM ALL AREA HOSPITALS, DENTAL CARE KITS THAT INCLUDED A TOOTHBRUSH, TIMER, FLUORIDATED TOOTHPASTE AND DENTAL FLOSS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL CHILDREN.GOAL 3. IMPROVE THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF ST. CROIX COUNTY RESIDENTS BY INCREASING AWARENESS OF AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TASK FORCE REALIZED SEVERAL MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE PAST YEAR IN ST. CROIX COUNTY. AFTER-SCHOOL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OPPORTUNITIES WERE OFFERED THREE TIMES PER YEAR IN ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTY WITH ONE DISTRICT BEGINNING OPEN GYM FOR FAMILIES. THE PROMOTION OF A COUNTY-WIDE WALK TO SCHOOL DAY WAS A SUCCESS."
GROUP A-FACILITY 11 -- RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13B: SEE RESPONSE TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 3C INCLUDED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI FOR EXPLANATION OF CRITERIA.
GROUP A-FACILITY 11 -- RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 24: NON-MEDICALLY NECESSARY OR RETAIL/COSMETIC PROCEDURES WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT.
GROUP A-FACILITY 12 -- PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: WE FIRST PUBLICIZED AN ONLINE SURVEY ON OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS IN ORDER TO GATHER GENERAL INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 1,000 RESPONSES TO THIS SURVEY-APPROXIMATELY 900 EMPLOYEES AND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.NEXT, WE HELD TWENTY-TWO COMMUNITY DIALOGUES OR FOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE GEOGRAPHY SERVED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM FEBRUARY-APRIL 2016. THE DIALOGUES WERE FACILITATED AND ORGANIZED BY A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR (THE IMPROVE GROUP) WITH EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISCUSSIONS OF KEY HEALTH ISSUES. MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE DIALOGUES/FOCUS GROUPS, PLANNING TEAMS THAT REVIEWED DATA AND COMMUNITY INPUT, OR BOTH. THE ATTENDEES WERE DIVERSE IN TERMS OF AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HELD ONE FOCUS GROUP FOR THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WITH INTERPRETATION, NEAR OUR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP SPECIFIC TO THE LIBERIAN COMMUNITY NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, INFORMAL AND FORMAL INTERPRETERS WERE USED AS NEEDED IN OUR EAST METRO AND SOUTH METRO DIALOGUES. DIALOGUES WERE ALSO HELD AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE HELD AT A PUBLIC HOUSING SITE IN ITS COMMUNITY ROOM.SOME COMMUNITY DIALOGUES WERE WELL-ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SERVE DIVERSE INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES, WHILE OTHERS WERE WELL- ATTENDED BY RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TIES. INVITATIONS WERE BROADLY SHARED TO GATHER AS MUCH DIVERSE INPUT AS POSSIBLE. SOME DIALOGUES WERE REPEATED OR RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED, IF WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO LOW ATTENDANCE/RSVPS. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF SPECIFIC INPUT THAT WAS SOUGHT BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED.
GROUP A-FACILITY 12 -- PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE 12 ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS - ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, UNITED HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL, UNITY HOSPITAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, BUFFALO HOSPITAL, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, OWATONNA HOSPITAL, REGINA HOSPITAL, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE USE A COORDINATED APPROACH AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON A GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL COMMUNITY BASIS. EACH REGIONAL CHNA CONTAINED ONLY ONE ALLINA HOSPITAL FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- MERCY HOSPITAL AND UNITY HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND OWATONNA HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY- REGINA HOSPITAL AND UNITED HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY
GROUP A-FACILITY 12 -- PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (SFRMC), A RELATED ORGANIZATION OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (AHS) WAS INCLUDED IN THE AHS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE SOUTH METRO REGION AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED BELOW.MINNESOTA:ANOKA, BROWN, CARVER, DAKOTA, HENNEPIN, ISANTI, RAMSEY, STEELE, SCOTT, WASHINGTON, AND WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. WISCONSIN:PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.IN SOME CASES, THE CHNA IS CONSIDERED A JOINT PRODUCT THROUGH FORMAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS THE HEALTHIER TOGETHER PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
GROUP A-FACILITY 12 -- PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: ALLINA HEALTH LAST ASSESSED COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH THIS FORMAL PROCESS IN 2016. ACROSS THE ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO PRIMARY NEEDS ARE NOW BEING ADDRESSED 2017-2019: HEALTHY WEIGHT (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM-WIDE INITIATIVES IN THESE AREAS INCLUDE: - CHANGE TO CHILL - (CTC) IS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES STRESS REDUCTION TIPS, LIFE BALANCE TECHNIQUES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEENS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2014, CTC HAS SERVED MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHO USE IT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEENS WHO USE IT IN SOCIAL GROUPS AND PARENTS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD STRESS LESS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PILOTED AN IN-PERSON DELIVERY MODEL OF THE CTC PROGRAM IN A TOTAL OF 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT FIVE COMMUNITIES ALLINA HEALTH SERVES. FIFTEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 253 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOL LIAISONS. MANY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THEY INTENDED TO USE WHAT THEY LEARNED AND GAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM. PARTICIPANTS ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO STRESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE IN THE STATE, ALLINA HEALTH BELIEVES IT SHOULD LEAD THE WAY IN ELIMINATING STIGMA WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. TO THIS END, THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTERNAL PROGRAM, BE THE CHANGE, IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTION AT ALLINA HEALTH AND ENSURE THAT ALL PATIENTS RECEIVE THE SAME CONSISTENT, EXCEPTIONAL CARE. MORE THAN 500 ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT AS TRAINED BE THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS AND HELP EDUCATE AND GENERATE AWARENESS AMONG THEIR COLLEAGUES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTIONS. THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY-MAY 2016. DURING THIS TIME CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT 492 MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 10,260, OR 38%, OF EMPLOYEES. WHILE THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, THE WORK IS ONGOING AND THE CAMPAIGN'S GOAL IS TO REACH ALL ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES.- NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION - (NHC) IS A COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EACH YEAR, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDS OVER 50 NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM $500-$10,000, TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN 2014 AND 2015 REACHED OVER 2,500 PARTICIPANTS BOTH YEARS AND A SIMILAR REACH IS EXPECTED IN 2016. EVALUATIONS OF THE NHC PROGRAM FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN NHC-FUNDED PROGRAMS INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOR. FURTHER, 2014 FOLLOW-UP DATA REVEALED THAT THESE POSITIVE CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY 80% OF GRANTEES CONTINUED TO OFFER THEIR ACTIVITY AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDED.- HEALTH POWERED KIDS - (HPK), LAUNCHED IN 2012, IS A FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 YEARS TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. IN 2015, APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PEOPLE VISITED THE HPK WEBSITE AND MORE THAN 5,500 CHILDREN WERE REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, 87% OF RESPONDENTS TO A USER SURVEY DESCRIBED HPK AS HELPFUL, VERY HELPFUL OR ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH AT THEIR HOME, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. THESE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ACHIEVED IN 2014.AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016, ALLINA HEALTH REMOVED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS AND INCREASED HEALTHY OFFERINGS IN ITS FACILITIES TO MODEL AND SUPPORT THE DIETARY CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN MAY 2016, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL REMOVED A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FROM ITS CAMPUS. THESE CHANGES SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF ALLINA HEALTH PATIENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES.CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ALLINA HEALTH INCLUDE A FOCUS ON HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND ON SUPPORTING SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE.BEYOND SYSTEM-WIDE ACTIVITIES, EACH HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SUCH AS:GOAL 1: INCREASE CHILDHOOD READINESS FOR SCHOOL.PEI FULLY IMPLEMENTED THE EARLY YOUTH EYE CARE (E.Y.E.) PROGRAM IN ALL MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR, TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN IN K, 2, 4, 6 AND 8TH GRADES RECEIVE A SCHOOL-BASED VISION SCREENING. LAST YEAR, 28,000 ELEMENTARY-AGED CHILDREN RECEIVED A VISION SCREENING THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, AND 330 CHILDREN WERE REFERRED FOR FURTHER VISION ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT. THESE CHILDREN WERE TREATED THROUGH THE KIRBY PUCKETT EYE MOBILE, WHERE THEY RECEIVED EXAMS, GLASSES, FOLLOW-UP CARE AND SURGERY (IF NEEDED) AT NO COST. THE KIRBY PUCKETT EYE MOBILE IS AN EXPANSION OF THE KIRBY PUCKETT EDUCATION CENTER AND WAS CREATED THROUGH PURCHASE OF A VEHICLE WHICH WAS THEN FITTED TO SERVE AS A MOBILE EYE CENTER (THE EYEMOBILE) FOR VISION SCREENINGS. GOAL 2. INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES.PEI CONTINUES TO PROVIDE FREE TRANSPORTATION FOR PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE PATIENTS TO ACCESS THEIR VISION CARE SERVICES. IN 2014 AND 2015, 3,000 AND 3,450 PATIENTS RECEIVED FREE TRANSPORTATION, RESPECTIVELY. A FOLLOW-UP SURVEY WAS RECENTLY CONDUCTED TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF AND PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH THE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. ALL 168 RESPONDENTS RATED THEIR SATISFACTION WITH THE SERVICES AT 4 OUT OF 5 OR HIGHER, WHILE 95% OF THESE RATED IT AT A 5. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN ASKED HOW IMPORTANT THE SERVICE WAS TO MEETING THEIR MEDICAL NEEDS, 98% OF RESPONDENTS RATED IT AT A 4 OR 5 OUT OF 5. THIS STUDY REITERATED THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING FREE TRANSPORTATION AS A STRATEGY FOR INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES.
GROUP A-FACILITY 12 -- PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13B: SEE RESPONSE TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 3C INCLUDED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI FOR EXPLANATION OF CRITERIA.
GROUP A-FACILITY 12 -- PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE PART V, SECTION B, LINE 24: NON-MEDICALLY NECESSARY OR RETAIL/COSMETIC PROCEDURES WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT.
PART V, SECTION B FACILITY REPORTING GROUP B
FACILITY REPORTING GROUP B CONSISTS OF: - FACILITY 10: DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL
GROUP B-FACILITY 10 -- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 2: DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL MERGED WITH AND INTO ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM ON JANUARY 1, 2015. 2016 IS THE SECOND YEAR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL'S SCHEDULE H IS INCLUDED WITH ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM.
GROUP B-FACILITY 10 -- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: WE FIRST PUBLICIZED AN ONLINE SURVEY ON OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS THROUGH DIRECT EMAILS IN ORDER TO GATHER GENERAL INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. WE RECEIVED MORE THAN 1,000 RESPONSES TO THIS SURVEY-APPROXIMATELY 900 EMPLOYEES AND 100 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.NEXT, WE HELD TWENTY-TWO COMMUNITY DIALOGUES OR FOCUS GROUPS ACROSS THE GEOGRAPHY SERVED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM FROM FEBRUARY-APRIL 2016. THE DIALOGUES WERE FACILITATED AND ORGANIZED BY A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR (THE IMPROVE GROUP) WITH EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH TO ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISCUSSIONS OF KEY HEALTH ISSUES. MORE THAN 400 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ATTENDED THE DIALOGUES/FOCUS GROUPS, PLANNING TEAMS THAT REVIEWED DATA AND COMMUNITY INPUT, OR BOTH. THE ATTENDEES WERE DIVERSE IN TERMS OF AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SPECIAL EFFORT WAS MADE TO REACH UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUTREACH TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. WE HELD ONE FOCUS GROUP FOR THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WITH INTERPRETATION, NEAR OUR DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER FOCUS GROUP SPECIFIC TO THE LIBERIAN COMMUNITY NEAR MERCY HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, INFORMAL AND FORMAL INTERPRETERS WERE USED AS NEEDED IN OUR EAST METRO AND SOUTH METRO DIALOGUES. DIALOGUES WERE ALSO HELD AT LOCATIONS CONVENIENT TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING ONE HELD AT A PUBLIC HOUSING SITE IN ITS COMMUNITY ROOM.SOME COMMUNITY DIALOGUES WERE WELL-ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT SERVE DIVERSE INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVES, WHILE OTHERS WERE WELL- ATTENDED BY RESIDENTS THEMSELVES, WITHOUT ANY SPECIFIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TIES. INVITATIONS WERE BROADLY SHARED TO GATHER AS MUCH DIVERSE INPUT AS POSSIBLE. SOME DIALOGUES WERE REPEATED OR RESCHEDULED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INCLUDED, IF WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO LOW ATTENDANCE/RSVPS. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF SPECIFIC INPUT THAT WAS SOUGHT BUT NOT SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED.
GROUP B-FACILITY 10 -- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A: THE 12 ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS - ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL, UNITED HOSPITAL, MERCY HOSPITAL, UNITY HOSPITAL, CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, BUFFALO HOSPITAL, NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER, OWATONNA HOSPITAL, REGINA HOSPITAL, DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE USE A COORDINATED APPROACH AND CONDUCTED COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON A GEOGRAPHIC REGIONAL COMMUNITY BASIS. EACH REGIONAL CHNA CONTAINED ONLY ONE ALLINA HOSPITAL FACILITY WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTIONS:- ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- MERCY HOSPITAL AND UNITY HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY.- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL AND OWATONNA HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY- REGINA HOSPITAL AND UNITED HOSPITAL WERE INCLUDED IN THE SAME REGIONAL CHNA DUE TO THEIR CLOSE GEOGRAPHIC PROXIMITY
GROUP B-FACILITY 10 -- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (SFRMC), A RELATED ORGANIZATION OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (AHS) WAS INCLUDED IN THE AHS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE SOUTH METRO REGION AND ALSO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED BELOW.MINNESOTA:ANOKA, BROWN, CARVER, DAKOTA, HENNEPIN, ISANTI, RAMSEY, STEELE, SCOTT, WASHINGTON, AND WRIGHT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. WISCONSIN:PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.IN SOME CASES, THE CHNA IS CONSIDERED A JOINT PRODUCT THROUGH FORMAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS SUCH AS THE HEALTHIER TOGETHER PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
GROUP B-FACILITY 10 -- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: ALLINA HEALTH LAST ASSESSED COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH THIS FORMAL PROCESS IN 2016. ACROSS THE ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO PRIMARY NEEDS ARE NOW BEING ADDRESSED 2017-2019: HEALTHY WEIGHT (NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY) AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. EXAMPLES OF SYSTEM-WIDE INITIATIVES IN THESE AREAS INCLUDE: - CHANGE TO CHILL - (CTC) IS A FREE, ONLINE RESOURCE THAT PROVIDES STRESS REDUCTION TIPS, LIFE BALANCE TECHNIQUES AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEENS. SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2014, CTC HAS SERVED MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING TEACHERS WHO USE IT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, TEENS WHO USE IT IN SOCIAL GROUPS AND PARENTS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP THEIR CHILD STRESS LESS. IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH PILOTED AN IN-PERSON DELIVERY MODEL OF THE CTC PROGRAM IN A TOTAL OF 11 MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS THROUGHOUT FIVE COMMUNITIES ALLINA HEALTH SERVES. FIFTEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT, REPRESENTING A TOTAL OF 253 STUDENT PARTICIPANTS. OVERALL, THE PROGRAM WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPANTS AND SCHOOL LIAISONS. MANY PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THEY INTENDED TO USE WHAT THEY LEARNED AND GAVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM. PARTICIPANTS ALSO SHOWED AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT BASIC CONCEPTS RELATED TO STRESS AND RESILIENCY SKILLS.AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION CARE IN THE STATE, ALLINA HEALTH BELIEVES IT SHOULD LEAD THE WAY IN ELIMINATING STIGMA WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. TO THIS END, THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTERNAL PROGRAM, BE THE CHANGE, IS AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTION AT ALLINA HEALTH AND ENSURE THAT ALL PATIENTS RECEIVE THE SAME CONSISTENT, EXCEPTIONAL CARE. MORE THAN 500 ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT AS TRAINED BE THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS AND HELP EDUCATE AND GENERATE AWARENESS AMONG THEIR COLLEAGUES ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND ADDICTIONS. THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN EXTENDED FROM JANUARY-MAY 2016. DURING THIS TIME CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT 492 MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 10,260, OR 38%, OF EMPLOYEES. WHILE THE FORMAL CAMPAIGN HAS COME TO AN END, THE WORK IS ONGOING AND THE CAMPAIGN'S GOAL IS TO REACH ALL ALLINA HEALTH EMPLOYEES.- NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION - (NHC) IS A COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. EACH YEAR, ALLINA HEALTH AWARDS OVER 50 NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CONNECTION GRANTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM $500-$10,000, TO LOCAL NONPROFITS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. ACTIVITIES OFFERED IN 2014 AND 2015 REACHED OVER 2,500 PARTICIPANTS BOTH YEARS AND A SIMILAR REACH IS EXPECTED IN 2016. EVALUATIONS OF THE NHC PROGRAM FIND THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN NHC-FUNDED PROGRAMS INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY EATING BEHAVIOR. FURTHER, 2014 FOLLOW-UP DATA REVEALED THAT THESE POSITIVE CHANGES WERE MAINTAINED SIX MONTHS LATER AND NEARLY 80% OF GRANTEES CONTINUED TO OFFER THEIR ACTIVITY AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD ENDED.- HEALTH POWERED KIDS - (HPK), LAUNCHED IN 2012, IS A FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14 YEARS TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES ABOUT EATING, EXERCISE, KEEPING CLEAN AND MANAGING STRESS. IN 2015, APPROXIMATELY 9,500 PEOPLE VISITED THE HPK WEBSITE AND MORE THAN 5,500 CHILDREN WERE REACHED BY THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, 87% OF RESPONDENTS TO A USER SURVEY DESCRIBED HPK AS HELPFUL, VERY HELPFUL OR ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH AT THEIR HOME, SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION. THESE RESULTS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE ACHIEVED IN 2014.AT THE BEGINNING OF 2016, ALLINA HEALTH REMOVED SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES AND DEEP-FRIED FOODS AND INCREASED HEALTHY OFFERINGS IN ITS FACILITIES TO MODEL AND SUPPORT THE DIETARY CHANGES RECOMMENDED BY PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, IN MAY 2016, ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL REMOVED A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT FROM ITS CAMPUS. THESE CHANGES SUPPORT THE HEALTH OF ALLINA HEALTH PATIENTS, VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES.CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ALLINA HEALTH INCLUDE A FOCUS ON HEALTH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND ON SUPPORTING SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE.BEYOND SYSTEM-WIDE ACTIVITIES, EACH HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE COLLECTIVE NEEDS IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL NEEDS DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PRIMARY SERVICE AREA, SUCH AS:DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL: HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP (HCP) WAS A COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE BETWEEN THE GEORGE FAMILY FOUNDATION AND THE PENNY GEORGE INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND HEALING. THE COLLABORATION AWARDED ONE OF 13 GRANTS IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN TO DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY-BASED PREVENTION AND WELLNESS ACTIVITIES FOCUSING ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, NUTRITION, MINDFULNESS AND MIND-BODY SKILLS, SMOKING CESSATION AND RISKY USE OF ALCOHOL.HCP AIMED TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF COMMUNITY HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE AND GENERATE LESSONS TO INFORM THE FIELD BY PILOTING INNOVATIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS. EVALUATION CONDUCTED BY RAINBOW RESEARCH OF THE 13 HCP PROGRAMS FOUND THE PROGRAM WAS SUCCESSFUL AT:-BUILDING CONNECTIONS-BY PROVIDING RESOURCES, WHICH ALLOWED DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL TO ENGAGE MORE DEEPLY WITH THE COMMUNITY, CREATE STRONGER COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORKS AND FURTHER SUPPORT EXISTING COMMUNITY EFFORTS AND PARTNERSHIPS.-CREATING INNOVATIVE OPPORTUNITIES-BY PROVIDING FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS AS AN ENTRY POINT FOR ONGOING ENGAGEMENT, CREATING INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND REACHING NEW AUDIENCES BY OFFERING PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES OUTSIDE OF THE HOSPITAL SETTING.-INITIATING SUSTAINABLE CHANGE-BY PARTNERING TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES, CREATING POLICY, SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENT CHANGES FOCUSED ON HEALTHY CHANGES, AND SERVING AS A STARTING POINT TO BEGIN SHIFTING TO A NEW MODEL OF CARE.
GROUP B-FACILITY 10 -- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13B: SEE RESPONSE TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART I, LINE 3C INCLUDED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART VI FOR EXPLANATION OF CRITERIA.
GROUP B-FACILITY 10 -- DISTRICT ONE HOSPITAL PART V, SECTION B, LINE 24: NON-MEDICALLY NECESSARY OR RETAIL/COSMETIC PROCEDURES WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT.
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 7 A HOSPITAL FACILITY WEBSITE URL -HTTPS://WWW.ALLINAHEALTH.ORG/ABOUT-US/COMMUNITY-INVOLVEMENT/NEED-ASSESSMENTS/2017-2019-COMMUNITY-HEALTH-NEEDS-ASSESSMENT-AND-IMPLEMENTATION-PLANS/
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 10 A SEE RESPONSE FOR PART V, SECTION B, LINE 7 A ABOVE
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Supplemental Information
Schedule H (Form 990) Part VI
PART I, LINE 3C: "CHARITY CARE PROGRAM- ALLINA PARTNERS CARE PROGRAM A KEY COMPONENT OF ALLINA'S MISSION IS TO DELIVER COMPASSIONATE, HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND TO ADVOCATE FOR THOSE WITH LIMITED FINANCIAL MEANS. ALLINA STRIVES TO ENSURE THAT THE FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF PEOPLE WHO NEED HEALTH CARE SERVICES DOES NOT PREVENT THEM FROM SEEKING OR RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE. THEREFORE, ALLINA HAS SEVERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS INCLUDING A ROBUST CHARITY CARE PROGRAM KNOWN AS THE ALLINA PARTNERS CARE PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES FREE CARE TO ALL PERSONS AT OR BELOW 275 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES AS PUBLISHED ANNUALLY IN THE FEDERAL REGISTRAR.THE CHARITY CARE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THE ""MEDICALLY INDIGENT"". THE ORGANIZATION EXTENDS THE CHARITY CARE PROGRAM IN INSTANCES THE ORGANIZATION HAS DETERMINED THE PATIENT IS UNABLE TO PAY SOME OR ALL OF THEIR MEDICAL BILLS DUE TO CATASTROPHIC CIRCUMSTANCES EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE INCOME OR ASSETS THAT OTHERWISE EXCEED THE GENERALLY APPLICABLE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE FREE CARE PROGRAM OR THE DISCOUNTED CARE PROGRAM (DESCRIBED BELOW) UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GUIDELINES. DISCOUNTED CARE PROGRAM - UNINSURED DISCOUNT PROGRAM ALLINA ALSO HAS A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM KNOWN AS THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES A DISCOUNT ON BILLED CHARGES TO UNINSURED PATIENTS, AND INSURED PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE UNINSURED TREATMENT, FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY CARE RECEIVED FROM ANY ALLINA HOSPITAL, HOSPITAL BASED CLINIC AND WHOLLY-OWNED AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTERS. THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT PROGRAM DOES NOT USE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY. INSTEAD, UNINSURED PATIENTS AND INSURED PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE UNINSURED TREATMENT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A DISCOUNT BASED UPON THEIR INCOME LEVEL AND THE LOCATION OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED. ALL PATIENTS WITH AN ANNUAL INCOME AT OR BELOW $125,000 ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A DISCOUNT. THE DISCOUNT IS ALSO GENERALLY EXTENDED TO PATIENTS WITH AN ANNUAL INCOME ABOVE $125,000. THERE ARE THREE DISCOUNTS LEVELS ESTABLISHED, ONE FOR METRO HOSPITALS, ONE FOR REGIONAL HOSPITALS, AND ONE FOR HOSPITAL BASED CLINICS WITHIN THE ALLINA SYSTEM.ALLINA HEALTH'S UNINSURED DISCOUNT PROGRAM PROVIDES A SUBSTANTIAL DISCOUNT TO BILLED CHARGES FOR UNINSURED PATIENTS. THE DISCOUNT IS UPDATED ANNUALLY AND IS BASED ON THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE OF THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL THIRD PARTY PAYER WHICH PROVIDED ALLINA HEALTH THE MOST REVENUE DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR."
PART I, LINE 6A: ALLINA'S ANNUAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT URL -HTTP://WWW.ALLINAHEALTH.ORG/ABOUT-US/COMMUNITY-INVOLVEMENT/COMMUNITY-BENEFIT-AND-ENGAGEMENT-ANNUAL-REPORT/
PART I, LINE 7:
"WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE ORGANIZATION USES A RATIO OF PATIENT CARE COSTS TO CHARGES (""COST TO CHARGE RATIO"") TO CALCULATE THE AMOUNTS REPORTED FOR PART I, LINE 7 (THE TABLE)."
PART I, LINE 7G: THE AMOUNT REPORTED AS SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICES DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY COSTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO A PHYSICIAN CLINIC.
PART I, LN 7 COL(F): BAD DEBT EXPENSE HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 25 AND HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING THE AMOUNTS REPORTED IN COLUMN 7F. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED AS A REDUCTION TO PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE ON FORM 990, PART VIII, LINE 2B.
PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES: COMMUNITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIESUNDERSTANDING THAT GOOD HEALTH IS DEPENDENT ON SOCIETAL, COMMUNITY, AND FAMILY ENVIRONMENTS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL CHOICES, AND IS BIGGER THAN THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE, ALLINA ENGAGES IN COMMUNITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES. BELOW ARE EXAMPLES OF WAYS THAT OUR HOSPITALS PARTICIPATED IN COMMUNITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN 2016:WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTMANY OF ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS HAVE TRAIN-TO-WORK PROGRAMS AS A MEANS TO BUILD A FUTURE WORKFORCE WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF OUR ORGANIZATION. BY FOCUSING ON BUILDING THE WORKFORCE, THE GOAL IS THAT THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE IN PERSONAL EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE STABILITY. MULTIPLE ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS HAVE DEVELOPED PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE PROCESS. FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2015, RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL BECAME PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM CALLED PROJECT SEARCH. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES. STUDENTS SPEND NINE MONTHS GAINING REAL-LIFE, TRANSFERRABLE SKILLS AT THE HOSPITAL. THEY COMPLETE THREE INTERNSHIPS THROUGHOUT HOSPITAL DEPARTMENTS, COMBINING INSTRUCTION AND IMMERSION IN THE WORKPLACE SETTING THAT PREPARES THEM TO MEET FUTURE EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS. INTERNSHIPS ARE OFFERED IN AREAS RANGING FROM THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND NUTRITION SERVICES TO HUMAN RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES. THE PROGRAM IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE HOSPITAL AND THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS SUPPORTING THE STUDENT INTERNS: BRIDGE FOR COMMUNITY LIFE, RIVER FALLS AND ELLSWORTH SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE MANAGEMENT GROUP, WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND CONTINUUS. COMMUNITY COALITIONSALL ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS PARTICIPATE ON LOCAL COMMUNITY COALITIONS, SUCH AS COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCILS, AS A WAY TO RESPOND TO COMMUNITY NEEDS THROUGH COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP. THESE COALITIONS PROVIDE THE HOSPITALS THE OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND DETERMINE HOW BEST TO LEVERAGE LOCAL RESOURCES TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS THAT EXIST OUTSIDE THE TRADITIONAL REALM OF HEALTH CARE. ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS ARE PRESENT AT THOSE DISCUSSIONS TO DETERMINE THE ROLE HEALTH CARE CAN PLAY. ONE EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE STATEWIDE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN (SHIP), WHICH HAS LOCAL COALITIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE VIA LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES TO WORK ON NUTRITION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND TOBACCO USE. DISASTER PREPAREDNESSIN ADDITION TO COMMUNITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES THAT RELATED TO ROOT CAUSES OF HEALTH, ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS ENGAGED IN AND LED DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLANNING TO ENSURE SAFETY, EFFICIENCY AND EXCELLENT HEALTH CARE DURING TIMES OF TRAGEDY AND/OR UPSET. THIS INCLUDED PLANNING MEETINGS AND COMMUNITY MEETINGS/TRAININGS, AMONG OTHER THINGS. THESE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, AMONG OTHERS, PROVIDE THE HOSPITALS WITHIN OUR SYSTEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPACT COMMUNITY HEALTH BEFORE IT BECOMES PROBLEMATIC AND EXPENSIVE. IN ADDITION, THIS IMPORTANT WORK IS SUPPORTED BY THE MISSION OF OUR ORGANIZATION AND IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION. WE WILL CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE THROUGH THE PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH.
PART III, LINE 4: FOOTNOTES TO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT THAT DESCRIBE BAD DEBT EXPENSE ARE AS FOLLOWS:FOOTNOTE 2(O). NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUETHE PROVISIONS FOR BAD DEBTS AND CHARITY CARE ARE BASED UPON MANAGEMENT'S ASSESSMENT OF HISTORICAL AND EXPECTED NET COLLECTIONS CONSIDERING HISTORICAL BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, TRENDS IN HEALTH CARE COVERAGE, AND OTHER COLLECTION INDICATORS. AFTER SATISFACTION OF AMOUNTS DUE FROM INSURANCE, THE SYSTEM FOLLOWS ESTABLISHED GUIDELINES FOR PLACING CERTAIN PAST-DUE PATIENT BALANCES WITH COLLECTION AGENCIES, SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON COLLECTION EFFORTS AS DETERMINED BY THE SYSTEM.
PART VI, LINE 7, REPORTS FILED WITH STATES MN,WI
PART III, LINE 2: "SCH H, PART III, SECTION A, LINES 2 & 3THE ORGANIZATION HAS ADOPTED HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION [HFMA] STATEMENT NO. 15, VALUATION AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION OF CHARITY CARE AND BAD DEBTS BY INSTITUTIONAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS (STATEMENT 15). AS DISCLOSED IN THE FOOTNOTES TO THE ORGANIZATION'S AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN RESPONSE TO PART III, LINE 4, THE PROVISIONS FOR BAD DEBT AND CHARITY CARE ARE BASED UPON MANAGEMENT'S ASSESSMENT OF HISTORICAL AND EXPECTED NET COLLECTIONS CONSIDERING HISTORICAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, TRENDS IN HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, AND OTHER COLLECTION INDICATORS. THEREFORE, THE BAD DEBT AMOUNT STATED FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING PURPOSES IS REPORTED ""NET"" OF ANY ANTICIPATED PATIENT DISCOUNTS TO WHICH THE PATIENT MAY BE ELIGIBLE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT PROGRAM (DISCUSSED ABOVE) AND REFLECTS THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT REPORTED AS ""NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE"" DURING THE CURRENT PERIOD OR ANY PREVIOUS PERIOD. THIS DOES NOT NECESSARILY EQUAL THE ""COST"" TO PROVIDE THE MEDICAL SERVICES. ALSO, NOTE THAT AMOUNTS RELATED TO PATIENTS WHO HAVE QUALIFIED UNDER THE CHARITY CARE PROGRAM ARE NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER NET PATIENT REVENUE OR IN BAD DEBT EXPENSE. IN OTHER WORDS, THE BAD DEBT EXPENSE REPORTED AS A REDUCTION TO PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE IN THE REVENUE SECTION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE FORM 990 DOES NOT INCLUDE AMOUNTS RELATED TO QUALIFIED CHARITY CARE PATIENTS AND IS STATED AT THE ""NET"" EXPECTED OR ANTICIPATED COLLECTION AMOUNT WHICH MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT THAN PATIENT CHARGES DUE TO THE APPLICATION OF DISCOUNTS SUCH AS THOSE PROVIDED UNDER THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT PROGRAM. THIS AMOUNT ALSO CONSTITUTES A DIFFERENT AMOUNT THAN THE ORGANIZATION'S ACTUAL COST TO PROVIDE THE MEDICAL SERVICES. TO ARRIVE AT THE FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART III, LINE 2 BAD DEBT ""AT COST"", THE ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED A RATIO OF PATIENT CARE COST TO CHARGES (COST TO CHARGE RATIO) TO THE ESTIMATED PATIENT CHARGE AMOUNT INCLUDED IN BAD DEBT AFTER REMOVING THE ANTICIPATED DISCOUNTS. THE COST TO CHARGE RATIO IS CALCULATED INDEPENDENTLY FOR EACH HOSPITAL OR OPERATING UNIT. THE RESULTING BAD DEBT (AT COST) AMOUNT FOR EACH HOSPITAL AND OPERATING UNIT IS THEN AGGREGATED TO ARRIVE AT THE BAD DEBT (AT COST) REPORTED ON LINE 2. THIS PROCESS PROVIDES A VERY CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S BAD DEBT (AT COST). THE ORGANIZATION HAS A ROBUST PROCESS FOR ADMINISTERING THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE CHARITY CARE AND UNINSURED DISCOUNT PROGRAM DESCRIBED IN FURTHER DETAIL IN PART VI, LINE 3. EACH PATIENT IS PROVIDED NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO APPLY TO THE COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAM AND TO PARTICIPATE, IF QUALIFIED, TO RECEIVE FREE OR DISCOUNTED MEDICAL CARE OR BE ENROLLED IN A GOVERNMENT SPONSORED MEDICAL CARE PROGRAM UNDER THE ORGANIZATIONS VARIOUS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS INCLUDES IDENTIFYING ANY PATIENT WITH A FINANCIAL CONCERN, AS WELL AS INFORMING, COUNSELING, QUALIFYING AND ASSISTING PATIENTS TO APPLY FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITY CARE AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. ALTHOUGH EACH PATIENT IS PROVIDED NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND INFORMED MULTIPLE TIMES OF THE CHARITY CARE PROGRAM PRIOR TO OUR CLASSIFYING THE AMOUNTS AS BAD DEBT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT PATIENTS WHO WOULD QUALIFY FOR CHARITY CARE DO NOT COMPLETE THE APPLICATION. THIS AMOUNT IS NOT REASONABLY ESTIMABLE. AS A TAX-EXEMPT HOSPITAL ORGANIZATION WE ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE NECESSARY MEDICAL CARE REGARDLESS OF THE PATIENT'S ABILITY TO PAY FOR THE SERVICES PROVIDED. DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, A PERSON WHO WOULD OTHERWISE QUALIFY UNDER THE CHARITY CARE PROGRAM MAY NOT PROVIDE US THE NECESSARY INFORMATION, QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM, AND RECEIVE FREE CARE ALLOWING US TO CLASSIFY AND QUANTIFY IT ACCORDINGLY AND AS SUCH. ULTIMATELY, THOSE AMOUNTS ARE WRITTEN-OFF AND REPORTED AS BAD DEBT EXPENSE. ANY METHODOLOGY WE COULD USE TO QUANTIFY AND PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH BAD DEBT (AT COST AND IF ANY) REPORTED ON LINE 2 REASONABLY COULD BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO PERSONS WHO LIKELY WOULD QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITY CARE POLICY AND FOR US TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE OF WHAT PORTION OF BAD DEBT, IF ANY, THE ORGANIZATION BELIEVES SHOULD CONSTITUTE COMMUNITY BENEFIT WOULD BE PURELY SPECULATIVE, IMPRECISE AND SUBJECT TO INHERENT METHODOLOGY FLAWS. WHILE WE FIRMLY BELIEVE, FOR THE REASONS STATED ABOVE, THAT SOME COMPONENT OF OUR REPORTED BAD DEBT EXPENSE (AT COST) ON LINE 2 CONSTITUTES AMOUNTS RELATED TO PERSONS WHO LIKELY WOULD QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITY CARE PROGRAM, WE CANNOT REASONABLY QUANTIFY THE AMOUNT AND RESPECTFULLY DECLINE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE AN AMOUNT. THEREFORE, WE HAVE REPORTED ZERO OR NONE FOR FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART III, LINE 3."
PART III, LINE 8: "THE ORGANIZATION HAS MORE THAN ONE MEDICARE PROVIDER NUMBER AND THEREFORE AGGREGATED THE AMOUNTS REPORTED IN THE MEDICARE COST REPORTS AS THE SOURCE FOR THE AMOUNTS REPORTED ON PART III, LINES 5 & 6 AS OUTLINED IN THE FORM 990, SCHEDULE H INSTRUCTIONS. FOR MEDICARE COST REPORTS, ALLINA USES A RATIO OF PATIENT CARE COSTS TO CHARGES (COST TO CHARGE RATIO) TO DETERMINE MEDICARE ALLOWABLE COSTS. GENERALLY, THE RATIO IS CALCULATED AS THE TOTAL MEDICARE ALLOWABLE PATIENT COSTS OVER THE TOTAL PATIENT CHARGES. MEDICARE CHARGES MULTIPLIED BY THIS RATIO EQUALS THE MEDICARE ALLOWABLE COSTS REPORTED IN THE MEDICARE COST REPORTS. THE COST TO CHARGE RATIO IS CALCULATED INDEPENDENTLY FOR EACH MEDICARE COST REPORT/PROVIDER NUMBER. ALLINA BELIEVES THAT AT LEAST SOME PORTION OF THE COSTS WE INCUR IN EXCESS OF PAYMENTS RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR PROVIDING MEDICAL SERVICES TO MEDICARE ENROLLEES AND BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE FEDERAL MEDICARE PROGRAM (SHORTFALL OR MEDICARE SHORTFALL) CONSTITUTES A COMMUNITY BENEFIT. ALLINA'S PROVIDING OF THESE SERVICES CLEARLY LESSENS THE BURDENS OF GOVERNMENT BY ALLEVIATING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM HAVING TO DIRECTLY PROVIDE THESE MEDICAL SERVICES. AS DEMONSTRATED AND CALCULATED ON FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART III, LINE 7, OUR MEDICARE ""ALLOWABLE COSTS"" CLEARLY EXCEED THE PAYMENTS WE RECEIVE FOR PROVIDING THESE MEDICAL SERVICES UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM. THE TRUE COMMUNITY BENEFIT FOR OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE CURRENT MEDICARE PROGRAM IS DEPENDENT ON HOW EFFICIENTLY AND COST EFFECTIVELY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD OPERATE A DIRECT MEDICAL CARE MEDICARE PROGRAM OR ALTERNATIVELY THE COST TO THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTRACT OUT SUCH SERVICES THROUGH A COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS IN THE OPEN MARKETS FOR THE SAME OR SIMILAR SERVICES FACTORING IN ITEMS SUCH AS QUALITY OF CARE, OUTCOMES AND SIMILAR IMPORTANT FACTORS AS COMPARED TO ALLINA'S ACTUAL COSTS OF PROVIDING THE MEDICAL CARE. THE MEDICARE SHORTFALL CALCULATION ON THE FORM 990, SCHEDULE H, PART III, LINE 7 SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERSTATES ALLINA'S ACTUAL MEDICARE SHORTFALL FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST, ALLINA INCURS SIGNIFICANT COSTS IN EXCESS OF PAYMENTS UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING CERTAIN SERVICES THAT ARE NOT SUBJECT TO MEDICARE COST REPORTING AND THEREFORE NOT REFLECTED IN OUR COST AMOUNTS ON LINE 6. SECOND, THE LINE 6 LIMITS OUR REPORTED COSTS TO ONLY MEDICARE ""ALLOWABLE COSTS"" AS SOLELY DETERMINED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MEDICARE PROGRAM. FOR THESE TWO REASONS, THE MEDICARE SHORTFALL REPORTED ON LINE 7 SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERSTATES ALLINA'S ACTUAL MEDICARE SHORTFALL AND THE ACTUAL COST OF PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE TO MEDICARE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. WE ESTIMATE THESE TWO ITEMS UNDERSTATE ALLINA'S REPORTED MEDICARE SHORTFALL BY OVER $178 MILLION. WE BELIEVE A DIRECT MEDICAL SERVICE MEDICARE PROGRAM OPERATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE COST TO THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTRACT OUT THE SERVICES UNDER A COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS MAY EVEN PROVE TO BE MORE EXPENSIVE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAN ALLINA'S REPORTED MEDICARE ""ALLOWABLE COSTS"" ON LINE 6 GIVEN OUR QUALITY OF CARE, SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES AND THE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACTUAL COSTS WE INCUR AND MEDICARE ""ALLOWABLE COSTS"" IN PROVIDING CARE UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM. THEREFORE, WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A TRUE COMMUNITY BENEFIT COMPONENT TO OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL MEDICARE PROGRAM."
PART III, LINE 9B: THE ORGANIZATION'S WRITTEN DEBT COLLECTION POLICY AND COLLECTION PRACTICES APPLY UNIFORMLY TO ALL PATIENTS AND INCLUDE PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITY CARE PROGRAM AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. IF A PATIENT IS KNOWN TO QUALIFY FOR A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THEY ARE AUTOMATICALLY AFFORDED THE PROGRAM BENEFITS FOR UP TO ONE YEAR AS THEY WOULD HAVE ALREADY PROVIDED INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR US TO MAKE SUCH A DETERMINATION. FOR EXAMPLE, A PATIENT THAT QUALIFIED FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITY CARE PROGRAM BEFORE RECEIVING SERVICES WOULD NOT RECEIVE A BILLING STATEMENT FOR THE MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED. IN THE CASE OF A PATIENT QUALIFYING FOR THE CHARITY CARE PROGRAM AFTER RECEIVING SERVICES AND THE COMMENCEMENT OF CERTAIN COLLECTION ACTIVITIES, THE AMOUNTS ARE DISCHARGED AS CHARITY CARE AND ALL COLLECTION ACTIVITIES CEASE. AS DISCUSSED IN THE RESPONSE TO PART VI, LINE 3, PATIENTS ARE INFORMED AND EDUCATED ON THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITY CARE PROGRAM AS PART OF THE ROUTINE REGISTRATION, ADMISSION, INTAKE, BILLING AND COLLECTION PROCESSES. IF A PATIENT DESIRES TO APPLY FOR THE CHARITY CARE PROGRAM, PERSONNEL WILL SEND AN APPLICATION TO THE PATIENT. IF COLLECTION ACTIVITIES HAVE COMMENCED, THOSE ACTIVITIES WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR THIRTY (30) DAYS TO ALLOW TIME FOR THE APPLICATION PROCESS. COLLECTION ACTIVITY MAY RESUME IF, AFTER 30 DAYS, A COMPLETED APPLICATION HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED. IN THE CASE OF AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION, THE ORGANIZATION MAY RESUME COLLECTION ACTIVITIES IF REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ARE NOT MET WITH A TIMELY RESPONSE. IF AN APPLICANT DOES NOT MEET THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND THE APPLICATION IS DENIED, COLLECTION ACTIVITY MAY RESUME UPON DENIAL. HOWEVER, THE PATIENT MAY STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS WHICH ARE APPLIED AS WARRANTED BASED UPON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED. SUCH ACTIVITIES ARE FULLY EXPLAINED TO THE PATIENT DURING THE COLLECTION PROCESS.
PART VI, LINE 2: IN 2016, ALLINA HEALTH CONDUCTED A COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR EACH OF THE HOSPITALS IN THE SYSTEM. THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PURPOSE WAS TO IDENTIFY THREE LOCAL PRIORITIES FOR EACH HOSPITAL AS WELL AS OVER-ARCHING THEMES FOR THE HEALTH SYSTEM TO ADDRESS FOR FY 2017-2019. THE PROCESS WAS DESIGNED TO RELY ON EXISTING PUBLIC DATA, DIRECTLY ENGAGE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND OTHER HEALTH PROVIDERS. THERE WERE THREE STAGES INVOLVED DURING THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT: DATA REVIEW AND SETTING PRIORITIES, COMMUNITY HEALTH DIALOGUES, AND ACTION PLANNING. IN THE FIRST PHASE, IN FALL 2015, COMMITTEES WERE FORMED AT EACH HOSPITAL TO REVIEW EXISTING HEALTH-RELATED DATA. DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS REVIEWED EXISTING DATASETS AND THEN DEVELOPED AN INITIAL LIST OF COMMUNITY HEALTH ISSUES. ASSESSMENT STAKEHOLDERS USED THE HANLON METHOD, A SYSTEMATIC PRIORITIZATION PROCESS, TO RANK THE HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES BASED ON THREE CRITERIA: SIZE OF THE PROBLEM, SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM, AND ESTIMATED EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SOLUTION AND WERE THEN ASKED TO CONSIDER THE NUMERICAL RANKINGS GIVEN TO EACH ISSUE ALONG WITH A SET OF DISCUSSION QUESTIONS TO CHOOSE THE FINAL PRIORITY ISSUES. IN THE SECOND PHASE DURING EARLY 2016, SEVERAL HUNDRED LOCAL RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS FROM EIGHT ALLINA HEALTH REGIONS PARTICIPATED IN COMMUNITY HEALTH DIALOGUES FACILITATED BY AN EXTERNAL AGENCY. STAKEHOLDERS WERE DIVERSE IN AGE, RACE/ETHNICITY, AND EMPLOYMENT AND REPRESENTED SECTORS SUCH AS SCHOOLS, BUSINESS, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS. A NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES AS HAVING EXPERTISE IN HEALTH-RELATED AREAS. THE DIALOGUES USED A WORLD CAFE MODEL OF DISCUSSION, WHICH ALLOWED PARTICIPANTS TO DISCUSS UP TO THREE TOPICS IDENTIFIED AS IMPORTANT HEALTH CONCERNS IN THEIR REGION. KEY THEMES FROM THE DIALOGUES WERE IDENTIFIED THROUGH ANALYSIS OF INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION GUIDES AND SMALL GROUP NOTES. EACH REGION RECEIVED A SUMMARY AND ACTION IDEAS.IN THE FINAL PHASE DURING SUMMER 2016, EACH FACILITY ENGAGED IN ACTION PLANNING SPECIFIC TO THE ISSUES AND PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED IN THEIR CHNA PROCESS. IN TOTAL, MORE THAN 400 DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS WERE ENGAGED IN DATA REVIEW, PRIORITIZATION OR COMMUNITY DIALOGUES.AS A HEALTH SYSTEM, TWO COMMON THEMES WERE IDENTIFIED ACROSS THE SYSTEM FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION DURING 2017-2019, THE SAME AS IN 2014-2016: HEALTHY EATING/ ACTIVE LIVING AND MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS. ALL ALLINA HEALTH ASSESSMENTS AND ACTION PLANS WERE APPROVED BY LOCAL FACILITIES AND THE ALLINA HEALTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS BY DECEMBER 2016.COPIES OF EACH FACILITY'S NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT AND ACTION PLAN CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTPS://WWW.ALLINAHEALTH.ORG/ABOUT-US/COMMUNITY-INVOLVEMENT/NEED-ASSESSMENTS/2017-2019-COMMUNITY-HEALTH-NEEDS-ASSESSMENT-AND-IMPLEMENTATION-PLANS/ONCE IMPLEMENTATION PLANS ARE CREATED, MORE DETAILED PLANNING CONTINUES WITH STAKEHOLDER TO DEVELOP AND DELIVER SPECIFIC PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES EITHER LOCALLY OR SYSTEM-WIDE. CONTINUAL ASSESSMENT OF NEED AND CHANGING NEED OCCURS THROUGHOUT THE LIFE CYCLE OF AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
PART VI, LINE 3: "A KEY COMPONENT OF ALLINA'S MISSION IS TO DELIVER COMPASSIONATE, HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND TO ADVOCATE FOR THOSE WITH LIMITED FINANCIAL MEANS. ALLINA STRIVES TO ENSURE THAT THE FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF PEOPLE WHO NEED HEALTH CARE SERVICES DOES NOT PREVENT THEM FROM SEEKING OR RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE. PROVIDING CONVENIENT ACCESS TO NECESSARY MEDICAL CARE REGARDLESS OF ONE'S ABILITY TO PAY FOR THOSE SERVICES IS IMPORTANT TO US. ALLINA HAS ESTABLISHED THE FOLLOWING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:- ALLINA PARTNERS CARE PROGRAM (CHARITY CARE)- UNINSURED DISCOUNT PROGRAM- SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES- MEDELIGIBLE SERVICES- MEDCREDIT FINANCIAL SERVICES- PAYMENT PLANSOUR CARE GOES BEYOND MEDICAL CARE ASSISTANCE. WE ALSO HELP PEOPLE GET FOOD STAMPS, WIC (WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN, A FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT SUPPLIES NUTRITIOUS FOODS) OR HEATING ASSISTANCE - ALL OF WHICH ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT TO A PATIENT'S RECOVERY, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. YOU MAY VISIT WWW.ALLINAHEALTH.ORG AND CLICK ON THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE LINK.CHARITY CARE PROGRAM - ALLINA PARTNERS CARE PROGRAM THE ALLINA PARTNERS CARE PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE MEDICALLY NECESSARY CARE TO ALL PERSONS AT OR BELOW 275 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES AS PUBLISHED ANNUALLY IN THE FEDERAL REGISTRAR. THE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST PATIENTS WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR MINNESOTA CARE AND WHOSE ANNUAL INCOMES ARE AT OR BELOW 275 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. THE APPLICATION IS BRIEF AND ASKS FOR INFORMATION ON FAMILY SIZE, EMPLOYMENT, INCOME, BANKING AND INSURANCE. IF PATIENTS MEET THE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES, THEIR TOTAL ALLINA BALANCE WILL BE ZERO. THEY WILL RECEIVE FREE MEDICAL CARE. AN ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE COVERED BY THE PROGRAM FOR UP TO ONE YEAR BARRING ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN INCOME. PATIENTS MAY BE ASKED TO APPLY FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND MINNESOTA CARE AND BE FOUND INELIGIBLE FOR THOSE PROGRAMS BEFORE THEY QUALIFY FOR THE ALLINA PARTNERS CARE. UNINSURED DISCOUNT PROGRAM - THE UNINSURED DISCOUNT PROGRAM PROVIDES A DISCOUNT ON BILLED CHARGES TO UNINSURED PATIENTS, AND INSURED PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE UNINSURED TREATMENT, FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY CARE RECEIVED FROM ANY ALLINA HOSPITAL, HOSPITAL BASED CLINIC AND WHOLLY-OWNED AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTERS. UNINSURED PATIENTS AND INSURED PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE UNINSURED TREATMENT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A DISCOUNT BASED UPON THEIR INCOME LEVEL AND THE LOCATION OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED. ALL PATIENTS WITH AN ANNUAL INCOME AT OR BELOW $125,000 ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A DISCOUNT. THE DISCOUNT IS ALSO GENERALLY EXTENDED TO PATIENTS WITH AN ANNUAL INCOME ABOVE $125,000. THERE ARE THREE DISCOUNTS LEVELS ESTABLISHED, ONE FOR METRO HOSPITALS , ONE FOR REGIONAL HOSPITALS, AND ONE FOR HOSPITAL BASED CLINICS WITHIN THE ALLINA SYSTEM. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ASSISTANCE (ON INDIVIDUAL CASE BY CASE BASIS) - THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES FOR THE ""MEDICALLY INDIGENT"". THE ORGANIZATION EXTENDS THE CHARITY CARE PROGRAM IN INSTANCES THE ORGANIZATION HAS DETERMINED THE PATIENT IS UNABLE TO PAY SOME OR ALL OF THEIR MEDICAL BILLS DUE TO CATASTROPHIC CIRCUMSTANCES EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE INCOME OR ASSETS THAT OTHERWISE EXCEED THE GENERALLY APPLICABLE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE FREE CARE PROGRAM OR THE DISCOUNTED CARE PROGRAM UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GUIDELINES. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES WILL PROVIDE AN EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THERE MAY BE A CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE PATIENTS EXPERIENCE A CATASTROPHIC EVENT THAT PUTS THEM IN A DEVASTATING FINANCIAL POSITION WHEREBY THE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVES WILL DETERMINE HOW TO BEST SUPPORT THEM FINANCIALLY.MEDELIGIBLE SERVICES - MEDELIGIBLE SERVICES PROVIDES ADVOCACY SUPPORT TO PATIENTS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY PAYING THEIR MEDICAL BILLS. THEY CAN ASSIST PATIENTS WITH APPLYING FOR FEDERAL, STATE AND COUNTY BENEFIT PROGRAMS. THE MEDELIGIBLE SERVICES PERSONNEL ARE ADVOCATES WHO EDUCATE PATIENTS AND FAMILIES ABOUT THE ADVANTAGE OF PROGRAMS AND ASSIST THEM WITH GETTING HELP. PERSONNEL CAN PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH MEDICAID AND MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY, VETERAN'S ADMINISTRATION, FOOD STAMPS, EMERGENCY FOOD, AND SHELTER. MEDCREDIT FINANCIAL SERVICES - MEDCREDIT FINANCIAL SERVICES PROVIDES FINANCIAL LOANS TO PATIENTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THEIR MEDICAL BILLS. THE PATIENT CAN CONSOLIDATE ALL MEDICAL EXPENSES FROM PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS SUCH THAT THE PATIENT HAS ONLY ONE MONTHLY PAYMENT. THERE IS NO CREDIT APPLICATION REQUIRED AND NO ANNUAL FEES OR DUES. THE ANNUAL PERCENTAGE INTEREST RATE IS 8 PERCENT. ONCE A PATIENT HAS ESTABLISHED A MEDCREDIT ACCOUNT, AMOUNTS CAN BE ADDED ON ANY ADDITIONAL MEDICAL EXPENSES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY. PAYMENT PLANS - IF A PATIENT INDICATES THEY ARE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO PAY THE BALANCE IN FULL, ALLINA OFFERS A PAYMENT PLAN WHICH CANNOT EXCEED TWELVE MONTHS AND CANNOT BE LESS THAN THIRTY DOLLARS PER MONTH. IF THE PATIENT IS UNABLE TO MEET THESE PARAMETERS, MEDCREDIT IS OFFERED TO THEM. THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES INFORMATION AND EDUCATION METHODS - ALLINA HAS ROBUST METHODS TO INFORM AND EDUCATE PATIENTS AND PERSONS WHO ARE BILLED FOR PATIENT CARE ABOUT THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE ORGANIZATIONS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS INCLUDING ITS CHARITY CARE PROGRAM AND ALSO ABOUT GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE BENEFITS. EACH PATIENT BILLING STATEMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND INCLUDES CONTACT INFORMATION. THE ALLINA WEBSITE HOMEPAGE AT WWW.ALLINAHEALTH.ORG PROMINENTLY CONTAINS A LINK TO THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES PAGE WHICH DESCRIBES THE ORGANIZATIONS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND INCLUDES CONTACT INFORMATION.THE ORGANIZATION POSTS SUMMARIES OF ITS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN BROCHURES IN ADMISSIONS AREAS, EMERGENCY ROOMS, AND OTHER AREAS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS FACILITIES WHERE ELIGIBLE PATIENTS ARE LIKELY TO BE PRESENT. THE BROCHURES CONTAIN SUMMARIES OF THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND INCLUDE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE PROGRAMS. THIS INFORMATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN SOMALI AND SPANISH. REGISTRATION, ADMISSIONS AND INTAKE PERSONNEL ARE TRAINED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INFORMATION TO ANYONE EXPRESSING A CONCERN ABOUT THEIR ABILITY TO PAY FOR SERVICES. ALL ""SELF-PAY"" PATIENTS (THE PATIENT IS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE OR A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM) THAT COMES TO ONE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S EMERGENCY ROOMS RECEIVES A PACKET OF INFORMATION CONTAINING EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND CERTAIN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. THERE IS CONTACT INFORMATION AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS THEY CAN CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE IN COMPLETING APPLICATIONS. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PERSONNEL ALSO MEET DIRECTLY WITH ANY SELF-PAY PATIENT ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL. PERSONNEL WILL MEET WITH PATIENTS WHEREVER IT IS MOST CONVENIENT FOR THE PATIENT SUCH AS THE HOSPITAL, A CLINIC, THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICES OR THE PATIENT'S HOME.ALLINA HAS A SYSTEM WIDE INTERPRETER SERVICES TEAM THAT PROVIDES INTERPRETERS TO PATIENTS, COMPANIONS AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (LEP) OR ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING (DHH). THIS SERVICE IS PROVIDED AT NO COST TO THE PATIENT. LEP AND DHH PERSONNEL ARE TRAINED TO INFORM AND EDUCATE PATIENTS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. ALL PERSONNEL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS COLLECTION ACTIVITIES ARE EXTENSIVELY TRAINED ON THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. ANY TIME A PATIENT EXPRESSES A CONCERN REGARDING THEIR ABILITY TO PAY FOR SERVICES, THE PERSONNEL EXPLAIN THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, ASK CERTAIN QUESTIONS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION AND TO DETERMINE WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THE PATIENT MAY QUALIFY AND BEST FITS THE PATIENTS' NEEDS."
PART VI, LINE 4: ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (ALLINA HEALTH) IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT SYSTEM OF CLINICS, HOSPITALS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE SERVICES. ALLINA HEALTH OWNS AND OPERATES 12 HOSPITALS, APPROXIMATELY 100 CLINICS AND HEALTH CARE SERVICES, INCLUDING HOME CARE, HOSPICE CARE, PALLIATIVE CARE, OXYGEN AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, PHARMACIES AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION IN OPERATION WITHIN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. NEARLY ALL ALLINA HOSPITAL PATIENTS COME FROM MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH COME FROM COUNTIES IN AND SURROUNDING THE METROPOLITAN AREAS OF MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL. COMMUNITIES SERVED BY ALLINA HEALTH ARE ASSIGNED INTO ONE OF NINE REGIONS AND EACH REGION INCLUDES AT LEAST ONE HOSPITAL WITHIN OUR SYSTEM. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LEADS ARE ASSIGNED TO EACH REGION TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY IN COMMUNITY BENEFIT ACTIVITIES. WEST METRO THE WEST METRO REGION INCLUDES ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN HOSPITAL AND PHILLIPS EYE INSTITUTE AND SERVES MOST COMMUNITIES WITHIN HENNEPIN COUNTY, THE LARGEST COUNTY IN MINNESOTA. THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IS ITS LARGEST CITY AND THE COUNTY SEAT. THE WEST METRO REGION SERVES BOTH URBAN AND SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES AND INCLUDES A RANGE OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUSES AS WELL AS A BROAD REPRESENTATION OF RACES AND ETHNICITIES. EAST METRO THE EAST METRO REGION INCLUDES UNITED HOSPITAL AND REGINA HOSPITAL AND SERVES RAMSEY, WASHINGTON AND DAKOTA COUNTIES. THIS REGION SPANS THE EASTERN EDGE OF MINNESOTA INTO THE METRO AREA SURROUNDING THE CITY OF ST. PAUL, THE CAPITAL AND SECOND-MOST POPULOUS CITY IN THE STATE. THE EAST METRO REGION IS HIGHLY DIVERSE; GEOGRAPHICALLY, SOCIOECONOMICALLY AND RACIALLY. NORTHWEST METRO THE NORTHWEST METRO REGION INCLUDES BOTH MERCY AND UNITY HOSPITALS AND PRIMARILY SERVES COMMUNITIES WITHIN ANOKA COUNTY, BUT ALSO INCLUDES AREAS WITHIN SHERBURNE AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES. ANOKA COUNTY IS THE FOURTH-MOST POPULOUS COUNTY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND INCLUDES THE NORTHWEST METROPOLITAN AREA THAT IS PREDOMINANTLY SUBURBAN IN NATURE. SOUTH METRO THE SOUTH METRO REGION INCLUDES ST. FRANCIS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, A PARTIALLY-OWNED HOSPITAL WITHIN THE ALLINA SYSTEM, AND PRIMARILY SERVES SCOTT AND CARVER COUNTIES, BUT ALSO INCLUDES COMMUNITIES IN SIBLEY, LE SUEUR, DAKOTA AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES. THIS REGION INCLUDES BOTH SUBURBAN AND SMALL COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTHWEST AREA OF THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL METROPOLITAN AREA. NORTHWEST REGIONAL THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL AREA INCLUDES BUFFALO HOSPITAL AND IS LOCATED WEST OF THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL. THIS REGION PRIMARILY SERVES WRIGHT COUNTY, BUT ALSO SERVES COMMUNITIES WITHIN STEARNS, MEEKER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES. THIS REGION IS MADE UP OF BOTH SMALL AND RURAL COMMUNITIES. NORTH REGIONALTHE NORTH REGIONAL AREA INCLUDES CAMBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER AND SERVES SMALL AND RURAL COMMUNITIES WITHIN ISANTI, CHISAGO, KANABEC AND PINE COUNTIES NORTH OF THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL. SOUTHWEST REGIONALTHE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL AREA IS LOCATED IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND INCLUDES NEW ULM MEDICAL CENTER. THE REGION SERVES COMMUNITIES AND RURAL AREAS IN AND AROUND BROWN COUNTY AND COMMUNITIES WITHIN SIBLEY AND NICOLLET COUNTIES.SOUTH REGIONALLOCATED SOUTH OF THE TWIN CITIES METROPOLITAN AREA, THE SOUTH REGIONAL REGION SERVES SMALL AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN AND AROUND DAKOTA, RICE, STEELE, WASECA, DODGE, AND GOODHUE COUNTIES. OWATONNA HOSPITAL AND DISTRICT ONE HOSPITALS SERVE THESE AREAS.WESTERN WISCONSINLOCATED IN WESTERN WISCONSIN, THIS REGION INCLUDES SMALL AND RURAL COMMUNITIES WITHIN PIERCE AND ST. CROIX COUNTIES. RIVER FALLS AREA HOSPITAL (RFAH) IS LOCATED WITHIN AND SERVES THIS REGION.
PART VI, LINE 5:
"GOVERNING BODYTHE ALLINA HEALTH BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS OVERSIGHT FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT FUNCTIONS. ACCORDING TO ITS CHARTER, THE QUALITY AND POPULATION HEALTH COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD PROVIDES GOVERNANCE OVERSIGHT OF ALLINA'S POPULATION HEALTH AND COMMUNITY BENEFIT AND ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES; THE QUALITY OF CARE AND SERVICE AT ALLINA HOSPITALS AND CLINICS; AND THE SYNERGIES AND LESSONS AT THE INTERFACE. THE COMMITTEE ASSISTS THE ALLINA BOARD OF DIRECTORS (""BOARD"") TO DELIVER ON ITS PURPOSES OF IMPROVING THE COORDINATION AND INTEGRATION OF CLINICAL CARE; ENHANCING ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR THE PEOPLE IT SERVES; IMPROVING THE COST EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES IT DELIVERS; IMPROVING THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE FOR INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING SUCH HEALTH CARE SERVICES, AND IMPROVING HEALTH STATUS INDICATORS BROADLY FOR THE LARGER POPULATION OF RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.TO ENSURE THAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPRESENTS THE COMMUNITIES SERVED BY ALLINA HEALTH, THE BY-LAWS STATE THAT A MAJORITY OF THE VOTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL AT ALL TIMES BE INDEPENDENT CIVIC LEADERS. IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS REQUIREMENT, AND SUBJECT TO VACANCIES THAT MAY OCCUR FROM TIME TO TIME, NO MORE THAN ONE-THIRD (1/3) OF THE DIRECTORS (INCLUDING ANY EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS WITH VOTE) MAY BE INTERESTED DIRECTORS. INTERESTED DIRECTORS SHALL INCLUDE PERSONS WHO ARE NOT ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BUT SERVE ON COMMITTEES OR OTHERWISE PARTICIPATE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE CORPORATION AND WOULD BE DEEMED INTERESTED DIRECTORS IF THEY WERE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. ""INTERESTED DIRECTORS"" ARE: (1) ANY MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION'S MANAGEMENT WHO SERVE AS DIRECTORS; AND (2) ANY PHYSICIAN DIRECTORS WHO PROVIDE SERVICES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ORGANIZATION OR ANY OF ITS HOSPITALS OR CLINICS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION SERVICES UNDER A CONTRACT WITH ANY OF THE ORGANIZATION'S HOSPITALS OR CLINICS, AS A PHYSICIAN EMPLOYEE OF ONE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S CLINICS OR AS A MEDICAL STAFF MEMBER OF ONE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S HOSPITALS. IN ADDITION TO THESE BY-LAWS PROVISIONS, THE BOARD'S GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE ACTIVELY ENSURES DIVERSITY OF DIRECTORS AND KEY SUBSTANTIVE AND STRATEGIC COMPETENCIES IN RECRUITING BOARD MEMBERS. THE COMMITTEE HAS CHOSEN SEVERAL CURRENT MEMBERS WHO REPRESENT THE PATIENT PERSPECTIVE AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. RECRUITMENT EFFORTS IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS HAVE FOCUSED ON ENHANCING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD TO INCLUDE DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS WITH STRATEGIC COMPETENCIES TO SUPPORT ALLINA IN THE NEW PAYMENT AND HEALTH REFORM ENVIRONMENT.OPEN MEDICAL STAFFTHE MEDICAL STAFFS WITHIN ALLINA HEALTH ARE OPEN, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS (SUCH AS RADIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY, EMERGENCY, AND CARDIOLOGY) AS TO WHICH SOME HOSPITALS HAVE ENTERED INTO EXCLUSIVE CONTRACTS WITH PARTICULAR MEDICAL GROUPS. THE HOSPITALS ENTER INTO THESE CONTRACTS WHEN THEY DETERMINE SUCH ARRANGEMENTS WILL IMPROVE CARE AND OPERATIONS IN THE HOSPITAL BY, FOR EXAMPLE, IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE, ASSURING THE AVAILABILITY OF SPECIFIC SERVICES, REDUCING THE COSTS OF PROVIDING HEALTH CARE, ALLOCATING HOSPITAL RESOURCES MORE EFFICIENTLY, SECURING GREATER PATIENT SATISFACTION, OR FACILITATING THE ORDERLY OPERATIONS OF THE HOSPITAL. IT DOES NOT ENTER INTO THESE ARRANGEMENTS SOLELY TO BENEFIT OR EXCLUDE SPECIFIC PROVIDERS OR TO RESTRAIN COMPETITION."
PART VI, LINE 6:
"ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM (""ALLINA HEALTH""), DOING BUSINESS AS ALLINA HEALTH, IS A MINNESOTA NONPROFIT CORPORATION THAT DELIVERS HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO PATIENTS IN MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN. AS A MISSION-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION, ALLINA HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES. WITH APPROXIMATELY 26,200 FULL AND PART-TIME EMPLOYEES, ALLINA HEALTH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN MINNESOTA. AS AN INTEGRATED HEALTH SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES HOSPITALS, EMERGENCY, AMBULATORY, HOMECARE AND HOSPICE SERVICES, AN AUTOMATED ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD SYSTEM, AND OVER 1,370 EMPLOYED PHYSICIANS, ALLINA HEALTH IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED AS A LEADER IN HEALTHCARE IN THE MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL AREA AND IS WELL POSITIONED FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM.ALLINA HEALTH OWNS AND OPERATES TWELVE HOSPITALS AND JOINTLY OWNS AND OPERATES ONE OTHER HOSPITAL. THESE INCLUDE URBAN TERTIARY CARE, SUBURBAN COMMUNITY AND RURAL HOSPITALS. ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS PROVIDED OVER 103,300 INPATIENT ADMISSIONS AND NEARLY 1,398,600 OUTPATIENT VISITS DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016. AS OF YEAR-END, ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS HAD LICENSED BED CAPACITY OF 2,451 ACUTE CARE BEDS, 1,722 OF WHICH WERE STAFFED FOR INPATIENT SERVICES. ALLINA HEALTH PROVIDES CLINICAL SERVICES THROUGH ITS ALLINA HEALTH GROUP AND HOSPITAL-BASED PHYSICIANS. ALLINA HEALTH GROUP CONTROLS AND OPERATES 61 ALLINA HEALTH CLINICS, OPERATES THE CLINICAL SERVICES LINES; THREE HOSPITALIST PROGRAMS ON THE ABBOTT NORTHWESTERN, UNITED AND MERCY HOSPITAL CAMPUSES; AND EMPLOYS APPROXIMATELY 760 PHYSICIANS AND 170 HOSPITALISTS. ALLINA SPECIALTY ASSOCIATES, INC. (""ASA""), OPERATING UNDER THE NAME MINNEAPOLIS HEART INSTITUTE, EMPLOYS APPROXIMATELY 90 PHYSICIANS, CONSISTING OF CARDIOLOGISTS, CARDIOTHORACIC AND VASCULAR SURGEONS. IN ADDITION, ALLINA HEALTH HOSPITALS DIRECTLY EMPLOY APPROXIMATELY 350 SPECIALTY PHYSICIANS INCLUDING INTENSIVISTS, PERINATOLOGISTS, AND PSYCHIATRISTS. ALLINA HEALTH PHYSICIANS AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS GENERATED NEARLY 7,330,200 WORK RVU'S DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016. THE ALLINA INTEGRATED MEDICAL (""AIM"") NETWORK ALIGNS ALLINA HEALTH PHYSICIANS, 1,875 INDEPENDENT MEDICAL PHYSICIANS, AND OVER 20 HOSPITALS TO DELIVER MARKET-LEADING QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY IN PATIENT CARE. ALLINA HEALTH IS A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST PHYSICIAN NETWORKS IN MINNESOTA.ALLINA'S HEALTH HOME CARE SERVICES DIVISION PROVIDES HOME HEALTH, HOME OXYGEN AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, HOSPICE, PALLIATIVE CARE AND SENIORCARE TRANSITIONS.A LEADER AND INNOVATOR IN PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL DEVICES, ALLINA HEALTH EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES IS DEVOTED TO PROVIDING SKILLED AND COMPASSIONATE ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT, BASIC LIFE SUPPORT AND SCHEDULED TRANSPORT IN MORE THAN 120 MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES. MORE THAN 570 PARAMEDICS, EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS, DISPATCHERS, SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION DRIVERS, MAINTENANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 1,800 SQUARE MILES, REACHING OVER ONE MILLION PEOPLE.IN ADDITION TO THE AMOUNTS DISCLOSED ON THIS SCHEDULE H, ALLINA AND AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS INCURRED COSTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT MEDICAL CARE PROGRAMS IN EXCESS OF GOVERNMENT REIMBURSEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $157,203,207 IN 2016.ALLINA PARTNERS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEDICAL SCHOOL TO PROVIDE PHYSICIAN RESIDENCY PROGRAMS FOR FAMILY PRACTICE AND INTERNAL MEDICINE RESIDENT PHYSICIANS.ALLINA CONTROLS AND OPERATES SEVEN (7) AFFILIATED FOUNDATIONS THAT PROVIDE PHILANTHROPIC FUNDING SUPPORT FOR ALLINA PROGRAMS AND NUMEROUS COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES INCLUDING A FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER. SEE SCHEDULE R AND SCHEDULE H, PART IV FOR A LIST OF RELATED ORGANIZATIONS AND JOINT VENTURES INCLUDING THE PRIMARY ACTIVITY OF THE AFFILIATED ORGANIZATION. ALLINA AND ITS AFFILIATES ALSO ROUTINELY COOPERATE AND INNOVATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PREVENT ILLNESS, PROMOTE AND RESTORE HEALTH TO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE AND BEYOND."
