4A (Expenses $ 51164588 including grants of $ 583882) (Revenue $ 55045492)
"THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A 130 ACUTE CARE BED HOSPITAL PROVIDING MEDICAL, EMERGENCY, AND OUTPATIENT CARE SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS OF ALLEGHANY, ALEXANDER, ASHE, CALDWELL, IREDELL, SURRY, WATAUGA, AND WILKES COUNTIES. THE ORGANIZATION SERVES AS A SATELLITE PROVIDER OF ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST SPECIALTY SERVICES AT ITS NORTH WILKESBORO CAMPUS, INCLUDING CARDIOLOGY, IMAGING, ENT, GASTROENTEROLOGY, NEPHROLOGY, NEUROLOGY, OB/GYN, OPHTHALMOLOGY, PATHOLOGY, PEDIATRICS, ORTHOPEDICS, AND UROLOGY. THE ORGANIZATION IS ACCREDITED BY THE JOINT COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS AND HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO SERVING THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF WILKES COUNTY SINCE 1952.DURING SHORT YEAR 2021, THE HOSPITAL FACILITY HAD APPROXIMATELY 6,500 PATIENT DAYS, WITH 1,400 INPATIENT ADMISSIONS, AND 13,900 EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES NUMEROUS RESOURCES, ACTIVITIES, AND PROGRAMS TO SERVE THE HEALTH NEEDS OF ITS COMMUNITY. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE:- BESTHEALTH - A COMMUNITY WELLNESS OUTREACH PROGRAM OF AHWFB OFFERING HEALTH SEMINARS, SCREENINGS, COOKING AND FITNESS CLASSES, ONLINE HEALTH RESOURCES AND A MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM WITH SPECIAL BENEFITS. SEMINARS LED BY EXPERTS FROM AHWFB PROVIDE THE LATEST INFORMATION ABOUT A VARIETY OF HEALTH TOPICS IN TALKS HELD AT CONVENIENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS, WELLNESS CHALLENGES, DISCOUNTS TO PARTICIPATING LOCAL MERCHANTS, E-NEWSLETTERS, AND PRIORITY NOTIFICATION OF EVENTS AND PROGRAMS.- FAITHHEALTHNC - AN INITIATIVE THAT CONNECTS THE CARING STRENGTHS OF CONGREGATIONS, THE CLINICAL EXPERTISE OF PROVIDERS, AND A NETWORK OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO EASE THOSE ON THE JOURNEY TO HEALTH AND HEALING, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES IN THE PROCESS. THERE ARE FOUR FAITHHEALTH CONNECTORS IN WILKES COUNTY THAT SERVE MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS AND GIVE VOICE TO HEALTH DISPARITIES IN THE COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING AHWFB-WMC.- ATHLETIC TRAINERS - CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINERS (""ATC""), PROVIDED BY AHWFB, WORK FULL-TIME IN THE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS IN WILKES COUNTY THAT HAVE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS. THE ATC'S WORK WITH STUDENT ATHLETES AND THEIR COACHES TO HELP KEEP THE ATHLETES SAFE AND HEALTHY AND TO TREAT AND HELP REHABILITATE SPORTS-RELATED INJURIES. - CARE CONNECTION PHARMACY - PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FREE AND DISCOUNTED DRUGS TO THOSE UNABLE TO PAY FOR MEDICATIONS. IN RECENT YEARS, GRANT FUNDING RECEIVED FROM THE NC HEALTH AND WELLNESS TRUST FUND COMMISSION HAS BEEN USED TO UPGRADE THE TECHNOLOGY AND FUNDING OF THE PHARMACY. FOR EACH DOLLAR INVESTED IN THE PROGRAM, AN ESTIMATED $9 RETAIL VALUE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR QUALIFYING CITIZENS OF WILKES COUNTY. THIS PROGRAM ENABLES PATIENTS TO STAY COMPLIANT WITH THEIR MEDICAL TREATMENT PLAN AND ALSO REDUCE THE OCCURRENCE OF READMISSION. AHWFB-WMC ALSO SUPPORTS A SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM (SEP) AT THE PHARMACY. IN ADDITION TO COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, THE HOSPITAL REGULARLY REINVESTS FUNDS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES AND STATE-OF-THE ART EQUIPMENT TO BETTER MEET THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. HOSPITAL LEADERSHIP WORKS DIRECTLY WITH THE WILKES MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION TO IDENTIFY AND VALIDATE GRANT PROPOSALS THAT ADDRESS ITS COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT. DURING THE SHORT YEAR, AHWB-WMC ADDED A NEW GAMMA CAMERA TO BETTER SERVICE THE IMAGING NEEDS OF LOCAL PATIENTS. THE NEW CAMERA UTILIZES SPECT (SINGLE-PHOTON EMISSION COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY), A TYPE OF NUCLEAR IMAGING TEST THAT USES A RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCE AND A SPECIAL CAMERA TO CREATE 3-D PICTURES AND ALLOWS PHYSICIANS TO ANALYZE THE FUNCTION OF INTERNAL ORGANS. BENEFITS INCLUDE IMPROVED ACCURACY IN DIAGNOSING DISEASE AND/OR TREATMENT, CLEARER IMAGES, IMPROVED SPEED AND PATIENT COMFORT, OPPORTUNITY FOR DECREASED PATIENT DOSAGE (LESS RADIOACTIVITY), AND INCREASED TABLE LIMIT (UP TO 450 TO 500 POUNDS WITH LIMIT ON GIRTH). COVID-19 RESPONSE: DURING THE LATTER PORTION OF FY20 AND THROUGHOUT 2021, COVID-19 BECAME A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND CONTINUED TO AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY. AHWFB IMPLEMENTED NUMEROUS MEASURES TO HELP MEET THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY IN RESPONSE TO THIS GLOBAL PANDEMIC. DURING THE SHORT PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021, AHWFB CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:- AHWFB PROFESSOR OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES PROVIDED WEEKLY UPDATES TO MEDIA OUTLETS AND TO THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND, RAPIDLY BECOMING A TRUSTED AND REASSURING VOICE FOR THE COMMUNITY.- AHWFB UPDATED VISITOR GUIDELINES AT ALL LOCATIONS TO FOR PATIENTS AND HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES IN RESPONSE TO CHANGING COVID-19 VARIANT LANDSCAPE.- AHWFB TOOK COVID-19 VACCINATION EFFORTS TO NEW HEIGHTS WITH DRONE DELIVERIES THE FIRST COVID-19 VACCINE DRONE DELIVERY PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY. THIS NEW INITIATIVE, OPERATED BY UPS, EXPANDED THE EXISTING DRONE PROGRAM THAT WAS LAUNCHED IN JULY 2020.- AHWFB USED ITS MOBILE HEALTH CLINIC TO PROVIDE CONVENIENT COVID-19 VACCINATIONS TO OLDER ADULTS WITH BARRIERS OF ACCESS TO CARE.- AHWFB BRENNER CHILDREN'S BEGAN ADMINISTERING THE PFIZER COVID-19 VACCINE TO CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 11 IN NOVEMBER. BRENNER CHILDREN'S BEGAN HOLDING COVID-19 VACCINATION EVENTS TO CHILDREN AGES 12 TO 15 EARLIER IN THE YEAR.AHWFB-WMC RECEIVED AN 'A' IN THE FALL 2021 LEAPFROG HOSPITAL SAFETY GRADE, A NATIONAL DISTINCTION RECOGNIZING THE HOSPITAL'S ACHIEVEMENTS PROTECTING PATIENTS FROM HARM AND PROVIDING SAFER HEALTH CARE."

ATRIUM HEALTH WFB WILKES MEDICAL CENTER
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5: COMMUNITY INPUT WAS OBTAINED THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PRIMARY SOURCES: (1) A STAKEHOLDER SURVEY DEVELOPED TO SOLICIT INPUT ON CRITICAL ISSUES THAT INFLUENCE THE HEALTH OF CITIZENS AND DECISIONS TO BE MADE BY PROVIDERS AND INSTITUTIONS. THE SURVEY SOUGHT TO INCLUDE A DIVERSITY OF OPINIONS THAT WERE REPRESENTATIVE OF DECISION MAKERS, HEALTH PROVIDERS, AND SOCIAL AND EDUCATION SERVICES TO CITIZENS OF WILKES COUNTY. A TOTAL OF 56 RESPONSES WERE RECEIVED; (2) COMMUNITY HEALTH SURVEYS DISTRIBUTED ONLINE & IN PERSON AT VARIOUS COMMUNITY LOCATIONS TO RESIDENTS OF WILKES COUNTY, NC DURING 2018. SURVEYS COLLECTED INFORMATION RELATED TO DEMOGRAPHICS, PERSONAL HEALTH BEHAVIORS & CONCERNS, AS WELL AS RESIDENT'S PERCEPTIONS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH ISSUES AFFECTING QUALITY OF LIFE. A TOTAL OF 548 RESIDENTS COMPLETED THE SURVEY; (3) COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER SURVEYS DISTRIBUTED TO VARIOUS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN WILKES COUNTY. THESE SURVEYS EXAMINED THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE FILING ORGANIZATION, THE POPULATION MOST LIKELY TO UTILIZE THE SERVICES, THE BARRIERS FACED BY RESIDENTS TO OBTAIN SUCH SERVICES, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL UNMET COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE NEEDS. A TOTAL OF 34 PARTICIPANT SURVEY RESULTS WERE ANALYZED; (4) A HEALTH SUMMIT HOSTED IN OCTOBER 2018 WITH 92 STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE. PRESENTATIONS WERE MADE REGARDING THE RESULTS COLLECTED FROM SURVEYS AND SECONDARY DATA SOURCES. UPON CONCLUSION OF THE PRESENTATIONS & DISCUSSION, PARTICIPANTS VOTED ON THE HEALTH ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE CHNA DURING THE NEXT THREE YEAR PERIOD. ADDITIONALLY, MORE THAN TWENTY SECONDARY DATA SOURCES WERE REVIEWED, INCLUDING: US CENSUS BUREAU, NC OFFICE OF STATE BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, NC DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, NC DIVISION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, NC STATE CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS, NCDPH EPIDEMIOLOGY SECTION, NC DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS AND HEALTHY NORTH CAROLINA 2020. LOCAL HEALTH DATA SOURCES ALSO INCLUDED INFORMATION FROM THE WILKES COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND AHWFB-WMC INTERNAL PATIENT STATISTICS.

ATRIUM HEALTH WFB WILKES MEDICAL CENTER
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B: DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHNA WAS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AMONG LOCAL HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICE INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THE FILING ORGANIZATION, THE WILKES COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT (WCHD), AND THE HEALTH FOUNDATION (WILKES COUNTY'S COMMUNITY HEALTH COALITION).

ATRIUM HEALTH WFB WILKES MEDICAL CENTER
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 7D: N/APART V, SECTION B, LINE 7A:WWW.WAKEHEALTH.EDU/ABOUT-US/SERVING-OUR-COMMUNITIES/NEEDS-ASSESSMENTS-AND-IMPLEMENTATION-REPORTSPART V, SECTION B, LINE 10A:WWW.WAKEHEALTH.EDU/ABOUT-US/SERVING-OUR-COMMUNITIES/NEEDS-ASSESSMENTS-AND-IMPLEMENTATION-REPORTS

ATRIUM HEALTH WFB WILKES MEDICAL CENTER
"PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11: THE MOST RECENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (""CHNA"") IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY: (1) ACCESS TO CARE, (2) OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE, (3) TOBACCO USE, AND (4) MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCY. ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST WILKES MEDICAL CENTER (""AHWFB-WMC"") PRIORITIZED THE FOLLOWING FIVE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS BASED ON THE 2018 WILKES COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST (""AHWFB"") ENTERPRISE PRIORITIES, AS FOLLOWS: (1) ACCESS TO CARE, (2) OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT PREVENTION, (3) TOBACCO USE PREVENTION & CESSATION, (4) MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCY, (5) MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH. AHWFB-WMC PLANS TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS RESPONSIVE TO THOSE HEALTH NEEDS THROUGH ITS APPROVED CHNA IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY. THE AHWFB-WMC CHNA IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY OUTLINES THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS AND THE EVALUATION OF IMPACT OF THOSE PROGRAMS ON PRIORITY COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS IDENTIFIED FROM THE CHNA. SPECIFICALLY, THE HOSPITAL IS ADDRESSING THE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS AS FOLLOWS:1. ACCESS TO CAREBARRIERS SUCH AS LACK OF INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE AND HIGH COSTS DECREASE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE AND CAN LEAD TO UNMET HEALTH NEEDS. THE HOSPITAL'S CURRENT STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THESE NEEDS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:--INCREASING ACCESS TO CANCER CARE THROUGH 1.) COLLABORATION WITH THE OFFICE FOR RURAL CANCER CARE/OFFICE OF CANCER HEALTH EQUITY TO IMPROVE OUTREACH AND REFERRAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND 2.) ALIGNMENT WITH NORTH CAROLINA BAPTIST HOSPITALS HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY DEPARTMENT'S STRATEGIC PLAN TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR CANCER PATIENTS. --INCREASING THE COMMUNITY'S ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS THROUGH 1.) EXTENDING HOURS OF OPERATION OF URGENT CARE CLINICS WITHIN WILKES COUNTY, AND 2.) PARTNERING WITH THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE WELLNESS PROGRAMMING AND EDUCATION FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES VIA BEST HEALTH FOR BUSINESS, ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST'S COMPREHENSIVE DIRECT-TO-EMPLOYER HEALTH, WELLNESS AND OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE SERVICES.--IMPROVING ACCESS TO COMMUNITY-CENTERED SOCIAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES AND REGULAR SOURCES OF HEALTH CARE THROUGH 1.) PARTNERING WITH THE HEALTH FOUNDATION AND THE WILKES COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS AND SCREENINGS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE COUNTY, AND 2.) ADDRESSING FIREARM EDUCATION AND SAFETY PRACTICES IN CONJUNCTION WITH LOCAL HEALTH SCREENINGS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.2. OBESITY & CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT & PREVENTIONAHWFB-WMC RECOGNIZES THE EFFECT OF CONTINUITY OF CARE WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ON PATIENT BEHAVIORS, DISEASE MANAGEMENT, AND HEALTH STATUS. THE HOSPITAL'S CURRENT STRATEGIES INCLUDE:--PROVIDING WEIGHT MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS THROUGH 1.) PARTNERING WITH BRENNER FIT AND THE WILKES COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE NUTRITION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOLS, AND 2.) COLLABORATING WITH WILKES COUNTY'S SCHOOLS HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE INFORMATION RELATED TO HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS.--IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO SUPPORT EFFORTS RELATED TO CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT THROUGH 1.) ENGAGING FAITHHEALTH NC (A DIVISION OF NORTH CAROLINA BAPTIST HOSPITAL) COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS TO ADDRESS CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMMING, AND 2.) PROVIDING STROKE AND HEART HEALTH INFORMATION AND OUTREACH AT COMMUNITY EVENTS.3. TOBACCO USE PREVENTION & CESSATIONAHWFB-WMC IS FOCUSED ON DECREASING ADMISSIONS AND READMISSIONS RELATED TO TOBACCO USE BY ADDRESSING THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF COPD AND PROVIDING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS TO INCREASE WELLNESS FOR COPD/PULMONARY PATIENTS. THE HOSPITAL'S CURRENT STRATEGIES INCLUDE: --IMPROVING COPD & CARDIAC CARE ACCESS VIA AHWFB-WMC'S CARDIAC/PULMONARY REHABILITATION PROGRAM--DECREASING SMOKING RATES THROUGH 1.) PARTNERING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE SMOKING CESSATION EDUCATION, INFORMATION AND REFERRALS, 2.) OFFERING 6-WEEK SMOKING CESSATION CLASSES THAT INCLUDE NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY, 3.) SPONSORSHIP OF LOCAL HEALTH FAIRS AND EVENTS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND RESOURCES RELATED TO SMOKING CESSATION. 4. MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCYAHWFB-WMC IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING POSITIVE OUTCOMES OF RECOVERY AND MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES. THE HOSPITAL'S CURRENT STRATEGIES INCLUDE:--INTEGRATING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WITH MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED AT AHWFB-WMC THROUGH 1.) INCORPORATING ADDICTION MEDICINE INTO THE INPATIENT CARE PRACTICE AT AHWFB-WMC, AND 2.) GROWING AWARENESS OF CARENET'S (AN AFFILIATE OF AHWFB) COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE AT AHWFB-WMC BY PROMOTION AMONG COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND AT COMMUNITY EVENTS. --PARTNERING WITH PROJECT LAZARUS TO DEVELOP A CERTIFIED PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST NETWORK TO PROVIDE AID TO WILKES COUNTY RESIDENTS. PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS ARE PERSONS LIVING IN RECOVERY WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND /OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS WHO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE TO PATIENTS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. --ENGAGING WITH THE HEALTH FOUNDATION AND THE WILKES COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO FURTHER EFFORTS TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCY THROUGH 1.) PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY OPIOID PREVENTION EXCHANGE EFFORTS TO ADDRESS OPIOID ABUSE THROUGH HARM REDUCTION, STIGMA REDUCTION AND ACCESS TO SERVICES, 2.) EXPANDING THE SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM AT CARE CONNECTIONS PHARMACY, THE ONSITE PHARMACY AT AHWFB-WMC, AND 3.) PROVIDING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION DISPOSAL BINS AT AHWFB-WMC. 5. MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTHAHWFB-WMC IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING INNOVATIVE, FAMILY-CENTERED CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY'S CHILDREN AND WOMEN. THE HOSPITAL'S CURRENT STRATEGIES INCLUDE:--DECREASING TEEN PREGNANCY, REDUCING INFANT MORTALITY, AND INCREASING THE BREAST FEEDING RATES THROUGH 1.) PARTNERING WITH THE WILKES COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES TO REDUCE SMOKING RATES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN, 2.) INVESTIGATING GRANT FUNDING TO PROVIDE INFANT CAR SEATS TO FAMILIES IN NEED, 3.) INCREASING THE NUMBER OF NURSE LACTATION SPECIALISTS EMPLOYED BY AHWFB-WMC, 4.) PURSUING SPONSORSHIP OF CHILD CAR SAFETY EVENT, AND 5.) ENCOURAGING MOTHERS AND MOTHERS-TO-BE TO ATTEND AHWFB SPONSORED FREE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAMS.ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED EFFORTS IN COMBINATION WITH THE HOSPITAL'S VALUES OF NONDISCRIMINATION AND COMPASSIONATE CARE ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS OF THE MOST RECENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT."

ATRIUM HEALTH WFB WILKES MEDICAL CENTER
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 13H: THE HOSPITAL MAY USE COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE FINANCIAL PROFILING AND CREDIT SCORING TECHNOLOGIES TO PRESUMPTIVELY SCREEN RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DISCOUNTS.

ATRIUM HEALTH WFB WILKES MEDICAL CENTER
PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16J: WILKES MEDICAL CENTER:PART V, LINE 16A, FAP WEBSITE: WWW.WAKEHEALTH.EDU/PATIENT-AND-FAMILY-RESOURCES/BILLING-AND-INSURANCE/FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCEWILKES MEDICAL CENTER:PART V, LINE 16B, FAP APPLICATION WEBSITE: WWW.WAKEHEALTH.EDU/PATIENT-AND-FAMILY-RESOURCES/BILLING-AND-INSURANCE/FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCEWILKES MEDICAL CENTER:PART V, LINE 16C, FAP PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY WEBSITE: WWW.WAKEHEALTH.EDU/PATIENT-AND-FAMILY-RESOURCES/BILLING-AND-INSURANCE/FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCEWILKES MEDICAL CENTER:PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16J: IN ADDITION TO THE METHODS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED, THE HOSPITAL INFORMS PATIENTS ABOUT ITS FAP DURING INTAKE AND DISCHARGE BY PROVIDING A PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY OF THE FAP. THE HOSPITAL ALSO PLACES A CONSPICUOUS WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE FAP ON ITS PATIENT BILLING STATEMENTS.NTS.

PART I, LINE 3C:
THE ORGANIZATION UTILIZES COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE FINANCIAL PROFILING AND CREDIT SCORING TECHNOLOGIES TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DISCOUNTS UNDER ITS FAP POLICY. ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:-PATIENT MUST BE UNINSURED OR HAVE NO OTHER THIRD PARTY FUNDING SOURCE OR GUARANTOR.-SERVICES FOR WHICH DISCOUNTS APPLY MUST BE EMERGENT AND MEDICALLY NECESSARY CARE.-PATIENT MUST BE A VALID RESIDENT WITHIN A ZIP CODE BOUNDED BY OR INTERSECTING ON OF THE COUNTIES DEFINED AS ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST'S SERVICE AREA. -PATIENTS MUST ENROLL IN ALL OTHER PRIMARY PAYER PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THE PATIENT IS ELIGIBLE AND MUST ASSIGN BENEFITS TO ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST EXCEPT IN THE CASE WHERE SUCH POLICY PREMIUM FOR ENROLLMENT WOULD RESULT IN MEDICAL INDIGENCE.

PART I, LINE 7:
THE ORGANIZATION USED THE WORKSHEETS PROVIDED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS TO FORM 990, SCHEDULE H TO COMPUTE ITS COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO.PART I, LINE 7B MEDICAID DIRECT OFF-SETTING REVENUEIN ADDITION TO FEE FOR SERVICE REVENUE, THE HOSPITAL RECEIVES ENHANCED CLAIMS PAYMENTS FUNDED BY A PROVIDER ASSESSMENT ADMINISTERED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. UNDER THE PROGRAM, A TAX IS ASSESSED AGAINST TOTAL HOSPITAL EXPENSES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MATCHES THE ASSESSMENT AT A RATE OF NEARLY 2 TO 1. THE PROCEEDS ARE THEN USED TO FUND ENHANCED FEE FOR SERVICES RATES ALONG WITH A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE PAYMENT BACK TO HOSPITALS.

PART I, LN 7 COL(F):
THE ORGANIZATION'S PATIENT BAD DEBT EXPENSE PER THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WAS $8,262,928 FOR THE SHORT YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 THIS AMOUNT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CALCULATION OF CHARITY CARE FOR PART I, LINE 7.

PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
"ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST (""AHWFB""), OF WHICH THE HOSPITAL IS AN INTEGRAL PART, IS COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH TO IMPROVE LIVES OF ALL RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES THROUGH A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:- DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND HEALTH EQUITY - AHWFB BELIEVES THAT CREATING A DIVERSE, EQUITABLE AND CULTURALLY ATTUNED WORKPLACE IS CRUCIAL TO OUR MISSION TO IMPROVE HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. THE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION OVERSEES OUR PRACTICES TO ENSURE DIVERSITY,INCLUSION, EQUITY AND RESPECT FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE AHWFB COMMUNITY. AHWFB RECOGNIZES THAT DIVERSITY IS NOT LIMITED TO RACE AND ETHNICITY BUT MUST ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY AND RELIGIOUS COMMITMENT. IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE THE PERVASIVE HEALTH DISPARITIES THAT EXIST IN OUR REGION AND COUNTRY, AHWFB IS DEVOTED TO RECRUITING, RETAINING AND TRAINING A DIVERSE CADRE OF PEOPLE AND ENSURING THAT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ENABLE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY COMPETENT CARE AND ADDRESS HEALTH DISPARITIES. AHWFB'S CLINICAL FOCUS ON HEALTH EQUITY WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION, WHICH DESIGNATED THE MEDICAL CENTER A 2017 ""LEADER IN LGBTQ HEALTHCARE EQUALITY.""- DIVISION OF FAITHHEALTH - THE MISSION OF AHWFB'S DIVISION OF FAITHHEALTH IS TO BUILD, ALIGN AND ANIMATE RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY ASSETS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY, BEGINNING WITH THOSE SERVED BY THE HOSPITAL. SUPPORTING PATIENTS SPIRITUALLY AND OFFERING MINISTRIES OF GROWTH, HOPE AND HEALING IS PART OF THE WORK OF THE MEDICAL CENTER, WHICH SINCE ITS EARLIEST DAYS HAS BEEN AN INNOVATOR IN FORGING HEALTH AND SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS. ADDITIONALLY, HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES PROVIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORT BY SERVING ON LOCAL BOARDS FOR COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS."

PART III, LINE 4:
BAD DEBT HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE COMPUTATION OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT ON PART I, LINE 7. AMOUNTS USED TO COMPUTE CHARITY CARE AND BAD DEBT ON SCHEDULE H USE THE MOST CURRENT DATA AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF FILING. THE ORGANIZATION USED WORKSHEET 2 OF THE FORM 990, SCHEDULE H INSTRUCTIONS TO COMPUTE A COST TO CHARGE RATIO USED TO CALCULATE BAD DEBT AT COST.

PART III, LINE 8:
THE HOSPITAL USES AN OVERALL COST TO CHARGE RATIO CALCULATION BASED ON AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BUT REMOVES COST ASSOCIATED WITH BAD DEBT, GME, COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT, COMMUNITY BUILDING, AND CHARITY CARE SO AS NOT TO COUNT THOSE COSTS TWICE.

PART III, LINE 9B:
THE HOSPITAL MAKES A REASONABLE EFFORT TO DETERMINE AN INDIVIDUAL'S ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY COLLECTION ACTIONS.ALL COLLECTION ACTIONS WILL BE SUSPENDED IF THE INDIVIDUAL SUBMITS A COMPLETED FAP APPLICATION DURING THE APPLICATION PERIOD, OR IF THE INDIVIDUAL SUBMITS AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION DURING THE APPLICATION PERIOD THAT IS SUBSEQUENTLY COMPLETED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AFTER THEHOSPITAL REQUESTS FURTHER INFORMATION. IF THE INDIVIDUAL IS DETERMINED NOT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FULL DISCOUNT UNDER THE FAP, ANY COLLECTION ACTIVITIES WILL BE RESUMED AS TO THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE OWED. IF THE INDIVIDUAL IS DETERMINED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FAP,APPROPRIATE MEASURES ARE TAKEN TO REFUND ANY AMOUNTS OWED TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND REVERSE OR MODIFY COLLECTION ACTIONS CONSISTENT WITH THE NEW BALANCE OWED AFTER APPLYING THE APPLICABLE FAP DISCOUNTS.

PART VI, LINE 3:
THE ORGANIZATION USES A VARIETY OF MEANS TO EDUCATE AND INFORM PATIENTS OF THEIR CHARITY CARE OPTIONS, INCLUDING INFORMATION ON A WEBSITE, PAMPHLETS, CONSPICUOUSLY DISPLAYED SIGNAGE, INFORMATION ON PATIENT BILL STATEMENTS, AND FROM STAFF MEMBERS DURING CONVERSATIONS CONCERNING A PATIENT'S LIABILITY FOR SERVICES. THE HOSPITAL EMPLOYS A PRE-SERVICE FINANCIAL CLEARANCE PROCESS THAT SCREENS PATIENTS PRIOR TO SERVICE DELIVERY FOR EXISTING OR AVAILABLE PAYER SOURCES AS A MEANS OF AVOIDING BAD DEBT AND INAPPROPRIATE BILLING TO PATIENTS WITHOUT THE MEANS TO PAY. IF A PAYER SOURCE IS IDENTIFIED, HOSPITAL STAFF WILL ASSIST THE PATIENT WITH ENROLLMENT.

PART VI, LINE 7, REPORTS FILED WITH STATES
NC

PART VI, LINE 2:
"THE HOSPITAL'S CURRENT NEEDS ASSESSMENT PLAN WAS BASED ON A SET OF BEST PRACTICES FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENTS WITH THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFYING REGIONAL PRIORITY AREAS TO FOCUS ON FOR FY 2020-2022. THE PROCESS WAS DESIGNED TO RELY ON EXISTING PUBLIC DATA, DIRECTLY ENGAGING COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH, OTHER HEALTH PROVIDERS, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY PARTNERS SUCH AS FAITH NETWORKS RELEVANT TO THE SOCIAL FACTORS UNDERLYING PATTERNS OF ACCESS. THE HOSPITAL'S ASSESSMENT WAS CONDUCTED IN FIVE PHASES: (1) A SECONDARY DATA RESEARCH PHASE, (2) A PRIMARY DATA RESEARCH PHASE, (3) A DATA SYNTHESIS AND ANALYSIS PHASE, (4) A PERIOD OF DATA REPORTING AND DISCUSSION AMONG PROJECT PARTNERS AND THE PUBLIC, AND (5) A DECISION MAKING PHASE AMONG PARTNERS TO DETERMINE COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITIES. THE DATA REVIEW AND PRIORITY SETTING PHASE BEGAN WITH THE COMPILATION OF EXISTING HEALTH-RELATED DATA. STAKEHOLDERS REVIEWED MULTIPLE DATA SETS INCLUDING NORTH CAROLINA INDICATORS FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT, INTERNAL DISEASE REGISTRIES, AND COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS. AHWFB-WMC PARTNERED WITH WILKES COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, HEALTH FOUNDATION, INC., PUBLIC HEALTH CONSULTANTS AND LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS AS A HEALTH COALITION TO DETERMINE HEALTH CARE NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY. ONCE THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS WERE IDENTIFIED, A CHNA ADVISORY TEAM ADOPTED A CONDENSED VERSION OF THE ""HANLON METHOD"", AS REFERENCED IN THE COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT GUIDE BOOK, TO CREATE A PRIORITIZATION BALLOT FOR THE CHNA PRIORITIZATION MEETING. THE ADVISORY TEAM HOSTED THIS MEETING WITH 92 STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS PRESENT. THE PRIORITIZATION PROCESS IDENTIFIED FIVE TOP PRIORITY HEALTH CHALLENGES FOR THE COMMUNITY.FROM THE CHNA PROCESS, AND ALIGNING WITH THE ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST SIGNIFICANT HEALTH PRIORITIES, THE HOSPITAL PRIORITIZED FIVE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS AND DEVELOPED AN IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY TO IDENTIFY THE MEANS THROUGH WHICH IT PLANS TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE CHARITABLE MISSION AS PART OF ITS COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS FOR THE NEXT THREE FISCAL YEARS. BEYOND THE PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY, THE HOSPITAL WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS MANY OF THE PRIORITIES BY PROVIDING CARE TO ALL, REGARDLESS OF THE ABILITY TO PAY."

PART VI, LINE 4:
THE HOSPITAL'S PRIMARY SERVICE AREA IS WILKES COUNTY AND ALSO INCLUDES THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES OF ALLEGHANY, ALEXANDER, ASHE, CALDWELL, IREDELL, SURRY, AND WATAUGA.WILKES COUNTY IS LOCATED ON THE EASTERN SLOPE OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS, A PART OF THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CHAIN IN THE PIEDMONT AND MOUNTAIN REGIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA. THE COUNTY COVERS 757 SQUARE MILES WITH A POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 69,000. THE NEAREST METROPOLITAN AREAS IS WINSTON-SALEM, LOCATED 40 MILES TO THE EAST. THERE ARE TWENTY ONE TOWNSHIPS IN WILKES COUNTY. REDDIES RIVER AND WILKESBORO ARE THE LARGEST TOWNSHIPS WITH 11,075 AND 10,542 RESIDENTS RESPECTIVELY. A COMPARISON OF WILKES COUNTY AND NORTH CAROLINA REVEALS MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND MEDIAN HOUSE VALUE ARE BELOW STATE AVERAGES. THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME FOR WILKES COUNTY RESIDENTS IS APPROXIMATELY $34,846, WHICH IS WELL BELOW THE STATE AVERAGE OF $48,256. THE WILKES COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AS REPORTED IN JUNE 2017 WAS 4.3%, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE STATE RATE OF 4.6%.THE FOLLOWING DEMOGRAPHIC FIGURES REFLECT THE POPULATION FOR WILKES COUNTY: - 51% FEMALE, 49% MALE - BELOW 20 YEARS: 23.3% - AGE 65 AND OLDER: 19.8%THE POPULATION OF WILKES COUNTY IS LESS DIVERSE THAN THE POPULATION OF NORTH CAROLINA AS A WHOLE. THE COUNTY POPULATION BREAKDOWN BY RACE BASED ON 2016 US CENSUS BUREAU ESTIMATES IS: - WHITE NON-HISPANIC (91.2%) - BLACK (4.3%) - HISPANIC (5.9%) - OTHER ASIAN (0.6%) - AMERICAN INDIAN (0.2%) - TWO OR MORE (1.5%)THE RATE OF POPULATION GROWTH IN WILKES COUNTY HAS BEEN SLOWLY INCREASING EVERY DECADE SINCE 1980, AND THIS PATTERNS IS PROJECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH AT LEAST 2037. WILKES COUNTY RATE OF GROWTH IS LOWER THAN THE RATE FOR THE STATE AS A WHOLE.

PART VI, LINE 5:
"ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST (""AHWFB""), OF WHICH THE HOSPITAL IS AN INTEGRAL PART, IS COMMITTED TO BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES THROUGH A NUMBER OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES. AHWFB ADOPTED AND MAINTAINS A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY, PROVIDES SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICES TO PATIENTS INNEED, AND ACCEPTS ALL PATIENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. THE HOSPITAL OPERATES AN EMERGENCY ROOM THAT IS OPEN 24/7. FUNDS ARE REINVESTED IN HEALTH IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES TO BETTER SERVE COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS, INCLUDING IMPROVEMENT OF FACILITIES AND MEDICAL SERVICES WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES, CASH AND IN-KIND DONATIONS TO LOCAL NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY BASED HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMING. SUCH PROGRAMMING INCLUDES BEST HEALTH COMMUNITY EDUCATION CLASSES, CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, PUBLIC SCREENINGS, CAREGIVER ACADEMY, AND OTHER HEALTH EDUCATION EVENTS HELD LOCALLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. AHWFB ALSO PROVIDES CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINERS THAT WORK FULL-TIME IN THE WILKES COUNTY PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS."

PART VI, LINE 6:
THE FILING ORGANIZATION IS A NETWORK HOSPITAL OF ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST, A PREEMINENT ACADEMIC HEALTH SYSTEM OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY WITH BALANCED EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT CARE, RESEARCH, AND EDUCATION. TOGETHER WITH AN INTEGRATED GROUP OF 501(C)(3) HOSPITALS, PHYSICIAN NETWORKS, OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, AND WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (WHICH OPERATES WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE), THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES ACROSS NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. EACH HOSPITAL ORGANIZATION IN THE ATRIUM HEALTH WAKE FOREST BAPTIST SYSTEM REPORTS ITS OWN COMMUNITY BENEFIT ON FORM 990 SCHEDULE H.THE CONSOLIDATED COMMUNITY BENEFIT TOTAL OF THE ACADEMIC HEALTH SYSTEM ISREPORTED ATWWW.WAKEHEALTH.EDU/ABOUT-US/SERVING-OUR-COMMUNITIES/COMMUNITY-BENEFITS.THIS CONSOLIDATED TOTAL IS CALCULATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH REPORTING GUIDELINES ISSUED BY NORTH CAROLINA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, WHICH DIFFER FROM FORM 990 SCHEDULE H INSTRUCTIONS. A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE ACADEMIC HEALTH SYSTEM ARE NOT REPORTED ON FORM 990 SCHEDULE H BECAUSE MANY COMMUNITY BENEFIT ACTIVITIES ARE NOT CONDUCTED BY AN ENTITY THAT IS A 501(C)(3) HOSPITAL.