1
Mercy Medical Center
Community Service Plan
2014 – 2016
Year One Update
Approved by the Board of Trustees on September 8, 2014
1000 North Village Avenue Rockville Centre, NY • (516) 705-2525 www.MercyMedicalCenter.info
2 Mission Statement
Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHS), as a ministry of the Catholic Church, continues Christ’s healing mission, promotes excellence in care and commits itself to those in need. CHS affirms the sanctity of life, advocates for the poor and underserved, and serves the common good. It conducts its health care practice, business, education and innovation with justice, integrity and respect for the dignity of each person.
Year One Update
Mercy Medical Center has continued to advance its three priority areas for community health improvement projects in 2014-2016: diabetes prevention, control and treatment; obesity prevention, control and treatment; and prenatal and early childhood health care.
Community Health Needs Assessment
Mercy Medical Center continues to collect data from the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) survey tool (available in both English and Spanish). Survey data is obtained from individuals who attend Mercy’s in-house programs, offsite community events/screenings, and visitors/family member’s at Mercy Medical Center. From January 2013 to August 2014, a total of 1,419 responses were collected. Responses were as follows:
1 - What are the biggest ongoing health concerns in your community?
Cancer 43.41%
Heart disease 42.0%
Diabetes 33.15%
Asthma/lung disease 12.18%
HIV/AIDS 5.17%
Mental Health/depression/suicide 12.34%
Stroke 17.19%
I don’t know 24.90%
2 – What prevents people in your community from getting medical treatment?
Lack of insurance 44.20%
Unable to pay co-pays 26.57%
Fear (not willing to face/discuss health) 25.47%
Language barriers 7.37%
Transportation 17.40%
3
3 – What is the most needed to improve the health of your family & neighbors?
Healthier food choices 53.24%
Job opportunities 19.26%
Mental health services 12.15%
Recreation facilities 19.26%
Safe places to walk and play 15.03%
Substance abuse rehabilitation services 5.68%
I don’t know 12.47%
4 – What health screening or educational/information services are needed in your community?
Diabetes 41.17%
Blood pressure 48.71%
Heart disease 47.68%
Exercise/physical activity 28.39%
Routine well checkups 26.1%
Cancer 44.34%
Nutrition 32.59%
Cholesterol 44.68%
5 – If you or someone in your family were ill and required medical care, where would you go?
Doctor’s office 55.67%
Hospital emergency department 24.61%
Walk in/urgent care center 14.21%
Clinic 3.11%
6 – Where do you and your family get most of your health information?
Doctor/health professional 63.27%
Family/friends 26.12%
Internet 32.43%
Newspaper/magazines 24.94%
Television 23.67%
Library 9.94%
7 – Have you had a routine physical exam in the past two years?
Yes 86.48%
4
8 – What is your gender?
Female 66.31%
Male 33.69%
9 – What is your age category?
Under 18 0% 18 – 29 3.52% 30 – 39 6.98% 40 – 49 14.38% 50 – 59 19.10% 60 – 69 22.41% 70 – 79 20.86% 80 – 89 11.06% 90+ 1.41%
10 – What is your racial/ethnic identification?
White/Caucasian 70.20% Black/African-American 13.38% Hispanic 7.74%
Asian 6.48%
Native American 1.18% Multi-racial 1.01%
11 – What is your highest level of education?
K – 8th grade 1.31% Some high school 2.44% High school graduate 21.55% Technical school 4.71% Some college 21.82% College graduate 24.21% Graduate school 17.98% Doctorate 2.44%
5
12 – Do you have health insurance?
Yes 90.36% No 7.94%
No, but I did at an earlier time/previous job 1.71%
The survey results indicate that diabetes remains a significant issue (in addition to cancer and other chronic diseases). Blood pressure, heart disease, cholesterol, and nutrition are additional areas of concern for the community.
Community Service Plan Goals
Mercy’s Community Service Plan (CSP) draws upon the results of the Nassau County Health Needs Assessment, which was conducted through a Nassau County Health Department
hospital collaboration in which Mercy was a part of as well as Mercy’s own community survey, along with information from a variety of data sources specific to the Mercy service area. The Mercy CSP identified several areas of need with a focus on the following:
• Diabetes prevention, control and treatment
• Obesity prevention, control and treatment
• Prenatal and early childhood health care
Priority 1 – Diabetes prevention control and treatment
This priority is part of the Prevent Chronic Diseases Prevention Agenda item under the Focus Area “Increase Access to High Quality Chronic Disease Prevention Care and Management”. Goal 1: Promote culturally, relevant chronic disease self-management education for diabetes.
Mercy delivered 12 diabetes education sessions to 55 people in both English and Spanish throughout the community. The sessions were conducted from January through May 2014. The sessions were delivered (in some locations more than once) at the following location many of which are underserved areas:
• Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, Roosevelt
• Our Holy Redeemer Church, Freeport
• Hempstead Senior Community Center, Hempstead
• Hispanic Counseling Center, Hempstead
• Hispanic Brotherhood, Rockville Centre
• Freeport Memorial Library, Freeport
• Saint Mary of the Isle Church, Long Beach
6
• Saint Martha’s Church, Uniondale
Mercy provided bilingual diabetes informational packages in both English and Spanish to more than 65 people at the June 7, 2014 Rockville Centre Fair. Mercy participated in the August 9, 2014 Nassau County, Health, Fitness and
Sports Expo providing information on diabetes and offering resources available at Mercy on how to manage and control diabetes.
Action Plan/Strategy
Mercy will continue its delivery of the diabetes education outreach program. Our Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) will work with local churches, community service centers and health clinics in select communities to provide diabetes education sessions. The CDE in conjunction with Mercy’s community outreach coordinator will continue to provide diabetes informational literature, in both English and Spanish, at local community events and throughout the hospital. Goal 2: Increase screening rates for diabetes, especially among disparate populations.
Mercy staffed 9 CHS Healthy Sunday sessions in underserved areas, including Hempstead, Freeport, Roosevelt, and Long Beach for a total of 324 people screened, 103 tested with high blood pressure, 7 with high glucose, and 80 with high BMI indicators.
Mercy participated in the August 9, 2014 Nassau County, Health, Fitness and Sports Expo providing information on diabetes and offering resources available at Mercy on how to manage and control diabetes.
Action Plan/Strategy
In addition to the diabetes education program and the Healthy Sundays sessions, Mercy will continue to provide evidence-based screening from our Healthy Sunday sessions. Patients who have BMI greater than 25 – 30 or are pre-diabetic will receive individual consultations. Pre-diabetes patients will be referred to Mercy’s Diabetes Education Center, CHS hospitals or to Mercy’s community partners.
The goal is to increase diabetes education enrollment 5% each year by the end of 2015. Goal 3: Promote use of evidence-based care to manage diabetes:
Mercy plans to resume the collection of evidence-based data for this goal to help reduce the rate of hospitalizations for short-term diabetes complications. A new wound care center is expected to be operational by the end of 2014.
7 Action Plan/Strategy
Mercy’s plans to promote obesity education/management and continue to collect evidence-based data through the diabetes education program, Healthy Sundays sessions, at local community events, especially in underserved communities, to support the goal of improved diabetes treatment.
As stated above Mercy will take steps to increase diabetes education enrollment 5% each year by the end of 2015.
Priority 2 – Obesity prevention, control and treatment
This priority is part of the Prevent Chronic Diseases Prevention Agenda item under the Focus Area “Reduce Obesity in Children and Adults”.
Goal 1: Expand the role of health care and health care services providers and insurers in obesity prevention.
Mercy collaborated with the New York Bariatric Group and delivered 9 weight loss sessions to more than 20 patients from Hempstead, Roosevelt and Freeport. New York Bariatric Group has 6 additional sessions scheduled for the remainder
of 2014. Additional sessions will be scheduled throughout 2015 the schedule has not yet been determined.
Also, Mercy participated in 5 Healthy Sundays events from January 2014 July 2014, providing Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings. Healthy Sundays is a CHS outreach program designed to deliver free health screenings, immunizations and education to the medically underserved. The Healthy Sundays events were held at the following select locations:
• Our Holy Redeemer, Freeport – 380 attended, 90 screened, 32 high bmi
• Saint Mary of the Isle, Long Beach 50 attended, 28 screened, 22 high bmi
• Our Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Roosevelt – 39 attended, 27 screened, 9 high bmi
• Our Lady of Loretto, Hempstead – 200 attended, 58 screened, 9 high bmi
• Kids Fest, Rockville Center- 300 attended, 37 screened, 5 bmi Action Plan/Strategy
8
Mercy will continue to collaborate with the New York Bariatric Group to make lectures and presentations on nutrition and obesity related issues throughout the community at local health fairs, libraries, religious organizations, etc.
The goal is to increase the delivery of the weight loss sessions 5% each year by the end of 2015. Goal 2: Enhance consumer access and coverage for weight loss surgery.
Mercy expanded its free online access, for patients and the community, to its weight loss (bariatric) surgery program. This service is a multidisciplinary effort that addresses all aspects of obesity.
By 2016 Mercy will expand access to bariatric surgery for those in need, offering a wider menu of discounted rates and charity care than are currently available. Budget and quantified goals remain to be worked out.
Action Plan/Strategy
Mercy will seek ways to increase access to its weight loss (bariatric) surgery program through its online access. We are presently collecting usage data and will report its effectiveness for the next Community Service Plan update.
Priority 3 – Promote prenatal and early childhood health care
This priority is part of the Prevent Chronic Diseases Prevention Agenda item under the Focus Area “Promote Healthy Women, Children, and Infants.”
Goal: Increase utilization of preventive health care services among women and mothers of newborns and very young children.
Conducted the first bi-annual “Best Baby Shower Ever” at Mercy for more than 90 families; 43 participants were expectant mothers. An additional session is planned in the fall 2014.
Delivered 10 Childbirth Education Sessions by the Mother/Baby Staff to more than 100 expectant parents. The training is ongoing and is delivered in both English and Spanish. Presented 6 infant CPR sessions by the Mother/Baby physicians and nursing staff to
more than 60 new parents.
Mercy started daily baby care classes; 30 sessions have been held.
A lactation consultant was hired in May 2014 to provide breastfeeding instruction for expecting families at the daily baby classes, 24 patients have been seen.
9
Mercy seeks to increase the percentage of underserved mothers-to-be in our primary service area who receive prenatal education. The goal is to increase the Childbirth Education Sessions add additional “Best Baby Shower Ever” events and increase the Infant CPR and daily baby care classes by 5% by the end of 2015.
Community Partners
In 2013, to better identify and address the region’s prevalent health needs, Mercy Medical Center joined forces with other hospitals, local health departments, health care providers, public health specialists from academic institutions and community-based organizations to form the Long Island Health Collaborative (LIHC), one of the first bi-county initiatives of its kind in New York. LIHC launched its website in January, offering comprehensive information to promote good health and prevent chronic disease. In addition to providing numerous resources such as health program inventories, health insurance information and educational videos, LIHC and its members have organized walking programs and developed a universal screening tool to help measure the effectiveness of community health efforts. More information can be found at nshc.org/long-island-health-collaborative.
Following is a listing of our community partners: Catholic Home Care
CHS Home Support Services
Freeport Memorial Library, Freeport Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center Good Samaritan Nursing Home
Good Shepherd Hospice
Hempstead Senior Community Center, Hempstead Hispanic Brotherhood, Rockville Centre
Hispanic Counseling Center, Hempstead Maryhaven Center of Hope
Our Holy Redeemer, Freeport
Our Lady of Consolation Nursing & Rehabilitative Care Center Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church, Roosevelt Rockville Centre Library, Rockville Centre
Sacred Heart Academy, Island Park Saint Martha’s Church, Uniondale
Saint Mary of the Isle Church, Long Beach St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center
St. Catherine of Siena Nursing & Rehabilitation Care Center St. Charles Hospital
St. Francis Hospital
10 St. Joseph Hospital
St. Joseph Hospital, Bethpage Living the Mission
In keeping with CHS’s mission, Mercy Medical Center provides a wide range of free community health services, including blood drives, health screenings and immunizations, lectures and support groups. Mercy hosted Cancer Survivors Day, Shadow Day and a food drive with St. Mary of the Isle Church. Also, hospital personnel staff CHS’s Healthy Sundays outreach program, founded in 2005 to care for Long Island’s medically underserved.
Next Steps for Priorities
Address any budget and financial implications.
Build support within the community for identified initiatives.
Identify any related activities being conducted by others in the community that could be built upon.
Conclusion
At Mercy, two existing multidisciplinary staff committees, the Mission and Ministry Committee and the Community Outreach Committee, were merged into one committee on June 27, 2014. The new committee is called the Hospital Mission & Ministry Committee. The committee will have a community advisory group that will meet on a regular basis. The purpose of the sub-group will be to expand our existing community outreach efforts to a broader spectrum of community-based organizations, including all religious denominations, Chambers of Commerce, school organizations, etc. All members of the committee will be charged with oversight of the implementation of the Community Health Needs Assessment and the Community Service Plan.
