4A (Expenses $ 271236998 including grants of $ 150000) (Revenue $ 283668418)
THE HOSPITALS' PRIMARY PROGRAM ACTIVITY IS THE PROVISION OF PATIENT CARE. THE HOSPITALS PROVIDED NURSING CARE IN THE AREAS OF MEDICAL, POST-SURGICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, CRITICAL CARE, INTERMEDIATE CARE, LABOR AND DELIVERY, POST PARTUM, NURSERY, PEDIATRICS, AND WOUND OSTOMY CARE. THE UTILIZATION DATA INCLUDES 14,732 ADULT AND PEDIATRIC ADMISSIONS, 73,668 PATIENT DAYS, 1,879 BIRTHS, AND 65,776 EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS. THE HOSPITALS ALSO PROVIDED 14,773 SURGICAL SERVICES TO PATIENTS WHICH INCLUDED 1,898 INPATIENTS, 6,177 OUTPATIENTS, AND 6,658 ENDOSCOPY PATIENTS.

4B (Expenses $ 1369638 including grants of $ 0) (Revenue $ 372596)
EDUCARE, THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HOUSTON HOSPITALS PROVIDED HEALTH FAIRS, SENIOR CARE LUNCHEONS, BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS, AND EXERCISE CLASSES. EDUCARE ALSO PROVIDED EDUCATION CLASSES AND SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THE FOLLOWING HEALTH ISSUES AND TOPICS: ALZHEIMERS, ARTHRITIS, BREAST CANCER, BREASTFEEDING, CARDIAC HEALTH, CHILDBIRTH, COOKING, DIABETES, DIET, DIVORCE, HYPERTENSION, LUPUS, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, PREGNANCY, SIBLINGS, STRESS MANAGEMENT, TOBACCO CESSATION, WALKING, AND WEIGHT LOSS.

PART V, SECTION B
FACILITY REPORTING GROUP A

FACILITY REPORTING GROUP A CONSISTS OF:
- FACILITY 1: HOUSTON MEDICAL CENTER, - FACILITY 2: PERRY HOSPITAL

FACILITY REPORTING GROUP A PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5:
PROFESSIONAL RESEARCH CONSULTANTS (PRC) A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED HEALTHCARE CONSULTING FIRM CONDUCTED A COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR HOUSTON HEALTHCARE IN 2020, FROM WHICH THE 2021, 2022 AND 2023 PLAN WAS DEVELOPED. THIS CHNA, A FOLLOW UP TO SIMILAR STUDIES CONDUCTED IN 2011, 2014, AND 2017 IS A SYSTEMATIC, DATA DRIVEN APPROACH TO DETERMINING THE HEALTH STATUS, BEHAVIORS, AND NEEDS OF RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE. THIS 2020 CHNA BY PRC INCORPORATED DATA FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES, INCLUDING PRIMARY RESEARCH (THROUGH THE COMMUNITY HEALTH SURVEY AND PRC ONLINE KEY INFORMANT SURVEY) AS WELL AS SECONDARY RESEARCH (VITAL STATISTICS AND OTHER EXISTING HEALTH RELATED DATA). THIS ALSO INCLUDED QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DATA SOURCES. QUALITATIVE DATA INCLUDED RESEARCH GATHERED FROM THE ONLINE KEY INFORMANT SURVEY GROUP, WITH PARTICIPANTS FROM PUBLIC HEALTH, ALONG WITH PROFESSIONALS, SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, INPUT WAS GATHERED FROM INDIVIDUALS WHOSE ORGANIZATIONS WORK WITH LOW INCOME, MINORITY, OR OTHER MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS. SECONDARY DATA SOURCES WERE ALSO CONSULTED TO COMPLEMENT THE RESEARCH QUALITY OF THE CHNA. THE ASSESSMENT ALSO INCORPORATED COMMUNITY TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS OF 200 INDIVIDUALS AGE 18 AND OLDER. INFORMATION CAME FROM LOCAL SURVEYS, PARTICIPANTS AT COMMUNITY EVENTS AS WELL AS INPUT FROM VARIOUS COALITIONS. SEVERAL PRESENTATIONS OF THE CHNA WERE GIVEN WHICH INCLUDED DISCUSSION OF PRIORITY AREAS.

FACILITY REPORTING GROUP A PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A:
HOUSTON HEALTHCARE INCLUDES BOTH HOUSTON MEDICAL CENTER AND PERRY HOSPITAL, WITH BOTH FACILITIES UNDER THE SAME BOARD AND LEADERSHIP. BOTH HOSPITAL FACILITIES ARE LOCATED IN HOUSTON COUNTY AND SERVE THE SAME POPULATIONS. RESIDENTS CAN, AND OFTEN DO, UTILIZE BOTH FACILITIES ALONG WITH THE OTHER RESOURCES PROVIDED THROUGH HOUSTON HEALTHCARE.

FACILITY REPORTING GROUP A PART V, SECTION B, LINE 7D:
"A COPY OF THE CHNA WAS SHARED INTERNALLY WITH EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND BOARDS AND IS POSTED ON THE HOUSTON HEALTHCARE WEBSITE (WWW.HHC.ORG). PRESENTATIONS ON THE CHNA WERE GIVEN TO EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP, THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT WORK GROUP, OTHER STAFF, COMMUNITY COALITIONS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS. PRESENTATIONS REGARDING COMMUNITY EDUCATION SERVICES AND THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAM WERE MADE TO THE COUNTY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM- LEADERSHIP WARNER ROBINS. THIS GROUP REPRESENTS VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT HOUSTON COUNTY AND IS SEEN AS A LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION, AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE CHNA WAS PLACED IN HOUSTON HEALTHCARE'S EXTERNAL PUBLICATION, ""HOUSECALLS"", WHICH WAS MAILED OUT TO OVER 25,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN MIDDLE GEORGIA."

FACILITY REPORTING GROUP A PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11:
"A COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) WAS COMPLETED IN 2020 BY PRC. THE RELATED IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY PLAN WAS ADOPTED IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 AND WENT INTO EFFECT IN TAX YEAR 2021, CONTINUING FOR 2021, 2022 AND 2023 AND INCLUDES AN ANNUAL WORK PLAN WITH GOALS, OBJECTIVES, EXPECTED OUTCOMES AS WELL AS ACTUAL OUTCOMES FOR THE YEAR. A THREE YEAR SCORE CARD WAS CREATED TO MEASURE LONG TERM PROGRESS IN MEETING THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. THIS 2020 PRC ASSESSMENT (CHNA) INCLUDED A LIST OF ""AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY OR IDENTIFIED HEALTH NEEDS. THE FOCUS AREAS FOR HOUSTON HEALTHCARE'S IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ADDRESSED THESE NEEDS AND ALL ARE ADDRESSED DIRECTLY BY HOUSTON HEALTHCARE INITIATIVES. THE EXCEPTION OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR NEEDS ARE ADDRESSED BY OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES:(1) BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE- IS ADDRESSED WITH MIDDLE FLINT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, DISTRICT PUBLIC HEALTH, RAFB FAMILY SERVICES, MIDDLE GEORGIA RESCUE MISSION, THE SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION OF HOUSTON COUNTY AS WELL AS OTHERS WHO LEAD THESE EFFORTS.(2) SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES-TREATMENT AND PREVENTION EDUCATION IS LED BY HOUSTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH DISTRICT PUBLIC HEALTH.(3)TRANSPORTATION TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES- IS PROVIDED BY PRIVATE COMPANIES, AS WELL AS SOME CHURCHES PROVIDING ASSISTANCE, ALONG WITH LOGISTICARE FOR MEDICAID RECIPIENTS, PERRY VOLUNTEER OUTREACH, AND THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY FOR PERSONS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. WARNER ROBINS HAS A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICE IN PLACE AND HOUSTON HEALTHCARE'S ""POPULATION HEALTH"" INITIATIVE PROVIDES TAXI VOUCHERS TO AT RISK PATIENTS.(4) ACCIDENT PREVENTION/SAFETY- HOUSTON COUNTY SAFE KIDS LEADS THE EFFORTS ON CHILD SAFETY FOR ISSUES SUCH AS INFANT/CHILD CARE SEAT SAFETY, MEDICATION SAFETY, FIRE AND WATER SAFETY AND CPR AND AED USE. DRIVING SAFETY CLASSES FOR ADULTS ARE PROVIDED BY AARP."

FACILITY REPORTING GROUP A PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16J:
ALTHOUGH THE ORGANIZATION'S WRITTEN POLICY DOES NOT INDICATE THE MEASURES TAKEN TO PUBLICIZE THE FACILITY'S POLICY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY SERVED, IT DOES PUBLICIZE AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE'S INDIGENT CARE TRUST FUND (ICTF) POLICY. THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY IS POSTED ON THE FACILITY'S WEBSITE ALONG WITH THE INDIGENT AND CHARITY CARE GUIDELINES. A NOTICE IS PRINTED ON THE PATIENTS' BILLS, IN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS TWICE A YEAR, POSTED ON THE WALLS AT ALL ADMISSION AREAS, CARDS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE COUNTERS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH, AND THE POLICY AND INDIGENT APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. HOUSTON HEALTHCARE INFORMS AND EDUCATES THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY AND ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY PROVIDING THESE CARDS AT COMMUNITY EVENTS, HEALTH FAIRS AND EDUCATION SEMINARS. THE CARDS AND SIGNAGE ARE PROVIDED IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. INFORMATION IS ALSO GIVEN OUT REGARDING AVAILABILITY AND ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH AT NUMEROUS COMMUNITY EVENTS SUCH AS HEALTH FAIRS.

FACILITY REPORTING GROUP A PART V, SECTION B, LINE 20E:
DURING 2015 HOUSTON HOSPITALS BEGAN USING PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY TO IDENTIFY PATIENTS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE CARE. THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY DETAILS PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY AS FOLLOWS: PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE FIRST POST DISCHARGE BILLING STATEMENT, ALL UNINSURED PATIENT ACCOUNTS WILL BE REVIEWED USING PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS TO ESTIMATE THE HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF THE PATIENT/GUARANTOR. IF THE ESTIMATED HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS EQUAL TO, OR LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO, 125% OF FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES, THE PATIENT SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THEIR CARE. PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS ARE BASED UPON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION FROM CREDIT BUREAUS, US CENSUS DATA, US POSTAL SERVICE, INSURANCE DATABASES, STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC RECORDS, TELEPHONE COMPANY DATABASES AND THE WHITE PAGES.

PART I, LINE 6A:
THE ORGANIZATION PREPARED A WRITTEN (ANNUAL) REPORT IN 2021 THAT DESCRIBES HOUSTON HEALTHCARE'S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. THIS ANNUAL REPORT REMAINS AVAILABLE ON THE HOUSTON HEALTHCARE WEBSITE AND WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC.

PART I, LINE 7:
HOUSTON HEALTHCARE PROVIDES THE FREE STANDING FACILITY FOR THE HOUSTON COUNTY VOLUNTEER MEDICAL CLINIC. THIS CLINIC IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND PROVIDES FREE MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL HELP FOR THOSE CITIZENS OF HOUSTON COUNTY THAT HAVE AN EMPLOYED FAMILY MEMBER IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD BUT DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. THE TOTAL INCOME FOR THE HOUSEHOLD MUST BE LESS THAN 200% OF THE IDENTIFIED POVERTY LEVEL. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THE BUILDING, HOUSTON HEALTHCARE STAFF MEMBERS INCLUDING THE PERRY HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR SERVED ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE FREE HEALTH CLINIC. HOUSTON HEALTHCARE ALSO PROVIDES THE SECRETARY FOR THE BOARD WHO TAKES MINUTES, AND COORDINATES MEETING PLANS AS WELL AS OTHER COMMUNICATION FOR THE BOARD MEETINGS. IN ADDITION, HOUSTON HEALTHCARE PROVIDES CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT CLASSES, DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, SERVES AS A REFERRAL SOURCE FOR PATIENTS SEEN AT THE FREE CLINIC AND ASSISTS WITH OBTAINING GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDING. WORKSHEET 2 FROM THE SCHEDULE H INSTRUCTIONS WAS USED TO DETERMINE THE CCR; LINE 7A WAS CALCULATED BY APPLYING THE COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO TO THE TOTAL CHARITY CARE CHARGES; LINE 7B WAS CALCULATED USING WORKSHEET 3 AND THE COST-TO-CHARGE RATIO; LINE 7C: N/A; LINE 7E IS A COMPILATION OF COST RELATED TO THE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES REPORTED IN WORKSHEET 4. LABOR COST PLUS ANY SUPPLIES PURCHASED LESS ANY REVENUE GENERATED BY THE ACTIVITY; LINE 7F COSTS ARE TRACKED BY OUR COMMUNITY BENEFIT CBISA SOFTWARE; LINE 7G IS A SUMMARY OF PAYMENTS MADE TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PHYSICIANS FOR SEEING OUR UNINSURED AND MEDICAID BEHAVIORAL HEALTH POPULATION (AS REPORTED ON WORKSHEET 6); LINE 7H: N/A; LINE 7I IS A SUMMARY OF CASH PAYMENTS REPORTED ON WORKSHEET 8.

PART II LINE 8:
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT- RECRUITMENT EFFORTS WERE MADE IN 2021 DUE TO PHYSICIAN SHORTAGES IN SPECIALTY AREAS AND PRIMARY CARE. EXAMPLES OF TARGETED AREAS INCLUDE: FAMILY MEDICINE (TRADITIONAL & OUTPATIENT), OTOLARYNGOLOGY, UROLOGY, INTERNAL MEDICINE, GASTROENTEROLOGY, AND ANESTHESIOLOGY. EFFORTS MADE IN 2021 WERE AFFECTED BY THE COVID PANDEMIC.HOUSTON HEALTHCARE PROVIDED DONATIONS IN 2021 TO ASSIST WITH COSTS OF INSTRUCTORS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AT CENTRAL GEORGIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE COLLEGE AND SERVES AS A CLINICAL SITE FOR SEVERAL HEALTH PROFESSIONS TO INCLUDE NURSING, PHARMACY, RADIOLOGY, RESPIRATORY THERAPY, PHYSICAL THERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.HOUSTON HEALTHCARE OFFERS A FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES CLINICAL AS WELL AS HANDS-ON PATIENT TRAINING TO PHYSICIANS ENTERING THE FIELD OF FAMILY MEDICINE, WHILE HELPING TO FULFILL A NEED FOR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IN THE MIDDLE GEORGIA AREA AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.

PART VI, LINE 2:
IN ADDITION TO THE CHNA - COMPLETED IN 2020, OTHER METHODS UTILIZED IN OBTAINING HEALTH NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY INCLUDED:*KEY INFORMANT SURVEY GROUP- THE FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED KEY INFORMANTS-INCLUDING PHYSICIANS, OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS. A LIST OF RECOMMENDED PARTICIPANTS FOR THE GROUP WAS PROVIDED BY HOUSTON HEALTHCARE, WITH POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS CHOSEN BECAUSE OF THEIR ABILITY TO IDENTIFY PRIMARY CONCERNS OF THE POPULATIONS WITH WHOM THEY WORK, AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY OVERALL. PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED A REPRESENTATIVE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, AS WELL AS SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK WITH LOW-INCOME, MINORITY AND OTHER MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.*COMMUNITY HEALTH SURVEY- THIS SURVEY WAS BASED LARGELY ON THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION BEHAVIORAL RISK FACTOR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AS WELL AS OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEYS AND CUSTOMIZED QUESTIONS ADDRESSING GAPS IN INDICATOR DATA RELATIVE TO HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION OBJECTIVES. THE FINAL SURVEY INSTRUMENT WAS DEVELOPED BY HOUSTON HEALTHCARE AND PRC. THE STUDY AREA FOR THE SURVEY INCLUDED EACH OF THE ZIP CODES DEFINING HOUSTON COUNTY AND INCLUDED A RANDOM SAMPLE OF 200 INDIVIDUALS AGE 18 AND OLDER IN HOUSTON COUNTY. *COMMUNITY COALITIONS INPUT -SEVERAL COALITIONS WERE ASKED FOR THEIR INPUT IN IDENTIFYING COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS. FEEDBACK FROM COALITIONS WAS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT BECAUSE THIS INFORMATION WAS FROM PEOPLE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH A CERTAIN POPULATION. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY WAS DIFFERENT, DEPENDING ON WHICH GROUP OR COALITION PROVIDED INFORMATION BUT OVERALL THE SAME CONCERNS WERE SHARED. EACH COALITION WAS ASKED TO LIST THE TOP FIVE HEALTH NEEDS. COALITIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE DISCUSSIONS INCLUDED: 1-PERINATAL COALITION, 2-FAITH COMMUNITY NURSES, 3-FAMILY CONNECTION COALITION, 4-SAFE KIDS COALITION 5-COMMUNITY BENEFIT WORK TEAM.RESOURCES FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WERE REVIEWED TO PREVENT DUPLICATION OF SERVICES AND ENHANCE RESOURCES. RESOURCES OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WERE ALSO REVIEWED TO ENSURE IDENTIFIED NEEDS WERE MET.REVIEW OF OTHER COMMUNITY SURVEYS OR ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED, WITH SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDING:*2019 GA KIDS COUNT DATA*GA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, NORTH CENTRAL HEALTH DISTRICT, HOUSTON COUNTY, HEALTH STATUS REPORT AND COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CHIP) *2020 COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS AND ROADMAPS- ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION *2021 MARCH OF DIMES PREMATURE BIRTH RATE FOR GEORGIA AND 2021 REPORT CARD*HEALTHY PEOPLE 2030*WARNER ROBINS COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION PLAN - HOUSING DEVELOPMENT*SENIOR CARE SURVEYS 2019*COMMUNITY EDUCATION SURVEYS 2020 REVIEW/EVALUATION OF THE PAST YEAR COMMUNITY BENEFIT OUTCOMES ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE TOTAL ASSESSMENT. OUR PROCESS INCLUDES THE COMPLETION OF THE 2020 CHNA (COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT) WITH PRIORITIES, AS WELL AS THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. IN ORDER TO EVALUATE OUR PROGRESS, HOUSTON HEALTHCARE DEVELOPED AN ANNUAL WORK PLAN WITH GOALS, OBJECTIVES, EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND ACTUAL OUTCOMES. THERE ALSO IS A THREE YEAR SCORE CARD THAT COMPARES LONGER TERM OUTCOMES.

PART VI, LINE 3:
INFORMATION REGARDING THE INDIGENT CARE TRUST FUND IS AVAILABLE AT EACH OF OUR REGISTRATION AREAS AND DISPLAYED WITH SIGNAGE AND CARDS. WE ALSO INFORM OUR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES OF OUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY DURING THE INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT ADMISSION PROCESS. OUR SYSTEM WEBSITE PROVIDES INFORMATION ON OUR PATIENT FINANCIAL SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDES BILLING, INSURANCE, AND OUR INDIGENT AND CHARITY CARE GUIDELINES AND POLICY. THE FIRST BILLING STATEMENT SENT OUT TO PATIENTS ALSO ADDRESSES THIS PROCESS WITH SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS. THESE CARDS WITH FINANCIAL INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE AT COMMUNITY EVENTS, HEALTH FAIRS AND EDUCATION SEMINARS. THE CARDS AND SIGNAGE ARE PROVIDED IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.

PART VI, LINE 6:
HOUSTON HEALTHCARE IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY OTHER HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

PART VI, LINE 7, REPORTS FILED WITH STATES
GA

PART II, COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES:
"HOUSTON HEALTHCARE STAFF PROVIDE AND PARTICIPATE IN NUMEROUS COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES. SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE: SERVING ON THE ROBINS REGIONAL AND PERRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARDS, WITH FOCUS ON EDUCATION, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS. HOUSTON HEALTHCARE ALSO WORKS DILIGENTLY TO RECRUIT NEEDED PHYSICIANS TO THE AREA. EACH YEAR STAFF MEMBERS PROMOTE AND RAISE FUNDS FOR ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL GEORGIA. COMMUNITY PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS- HOUSTON HEALTHCARE PURCHASED THE OLD HOUSTON MALL AND CONTINUES TO BE IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING AND REMODELING IT WHICH IS A PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENT FOR THE COUNTY AS WELL AS MUCH NEEDED SPACE FOR HEALTH RELATED SERVICES, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, SUPPORT GROUPS AND OTHER TRAINING. MOST RECENT PHYSICIAN PRACTICES INCLUDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, PRIMARY CARE, ENT, UROLOGY, AND VASCULAR. A HOUSTON HEALTHCARE STAFF PERSON SERVES AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE WORRALL FOUNDATION WHICH HAS THE GOAL OF PURCHASING LAND TO CREATE ADDITIONAL OUTDOOR PARKS IN THE AREA IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO BECOME MORE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE. MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED PARKS AND TRAILS INCLUDE: HERITAGE PARK IN PERRY, 'THE WALK AT SANDY RUN' TRAIL IN WARNER ROBINS AND CENTER PARK IN CENTERVILLE. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN RECENT UPGRADES TO SEVERAL PARK PLAYGROUNDS IN THE COUNTY. THERE ARE PLANS FOR MORE PARKS AND FITNESS TRAILS IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO INCLUDE EXPANSIONS PLANS FOR WARNER ROBINS PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- HOUSTON HEALTHCARE WORKS DIRECTLY WITH THE WARNER ROBINS HOUSING AUTHORITY WHO PROVIDES LOWER COST HOUSING FOR RESIDENTS WITH LIMITED INCOMES, BY PROVIDING HEALTH RELATED EDUCATIONAL CLASSES FOR THE RESIDENTS. HOUSTON HEALTHCARE STAFF SERVE ON THE HUMAN NEEDS COALITION THAT ADDRESSES THE ISSUE OF THE HOMELESS, AND COLLABORATES WITH OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND THE VECTR CENTER TO IMPROVE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING.COMMUNITY SUPPORT: DISASTER READINESS BEYOND WHAT IS REQUIRED BY ACCREDITING BODIES- DISASTER READINESS PREPAREDNESS PROVIDED BY HOUSTON HEALTHCARE IS OVER AND ABOVE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS AND INCLUDES COMMUNICATION AWARENESS EVENTS AND GENERAL EDUCATION AS WELL AS EFFORTS ABOVE LICENSURE RELATED TO THE COVID PANDEMIC. HOUSTON HEALTHCARE'S INCIDENT COMMAND/HOSPITAL COMMAND CENTER THAT WAS IMPLEMENTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID PANDEMIC IN 2020 CONTINUED FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2021 AND INCLUDED PLANNING AND PREPARATION EFFORTS RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC AND PROVIDING CARE. A FEW OF THESE EFFORTS INCLUDED A CHANGE IN BED CAPACITY, IMPLEMENTING PROCEDURES SURGE, FOR EXAMPLE CONVERTING PACU INTO AN ICU WARD. THE COVID VACCINE CLINIC IMPLEMENTED BY HOUSTON HEALTHCARE IN DECEMBER 2020 CONTINUED THROUGHOUT 2021.OTHER EFFORTS ABOVE LICENSURE INCLUDE THE ARES (AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICES) PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PARTNERS IN THE AREA OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION IN THE EVENT OF A COMMUNITY DISASTER AS WELL AS DETECTION OF SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS THROUGH THE USE OF COMMUNICATION WEATHER SPOTTERS TRAINED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE VIA AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THIS IS PROVIDED AND INSTALLED WITHIN HOUSTON HEALTHCARE- AS A FREE ACCESS COMMUNICATION USE REPORTER FOR PUBLIC USE.HOUSTON MEDICAL CENTER, HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY APPROVED AS A 'STORM READY' LOCATION BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, BECOMING JUST THE 5TH ""COMMERCIAL"" SITE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA. STORM READY ENCOURAGES COMMUNITIES TO TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO IMPROVING LOCAL HAZARDOUS WEATHER OPERATIONS AND PUBLIC AWARENESS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THEIR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE.HOUSTON HEALTHCARE IS ALSO A CHEMPACK CONTAINER SITE, ONE OF 47 LOCATIONS IN THE STATE, IN COOPERATION WITH THE CDC CHEMPACK PROGRAM, GEORGIA DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH THAT PROVIDES FIRST RESPONDERS AND FIRST RECEIVERS THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO RAPIDLY RESPOND TO LARGE SCALE NERVE AGENT OR ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDE RELEASES. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING-HOUSTON HEALTHCARE PARTICIPATES IN ROBINS REGIONAL AND PERRY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADULT LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS WHICH ALSO INCLUDES YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS. HOUSTON HEALTHCARE STAFF SERVE ON REGIONAL AND CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARDS, WHICH FOCUS ON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS. HOUSTON HEALTHCARE HAS VOLUNTEER CHAPLAINS FOR HOUSTON MEDICAL CENTER AND PERRY HOSPITAL WHO ARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.COALITION BUILDING- COALITIONS INITIATED AND LED BY HOUSTON HEALTHCARE: 1. FAITH COMMUNITY NURSES- THIS COALITION IS MADE UP OF VOLUNTEER REGISTERED NURSES SERVING CHURCHES IN THE CENTRAL GEORGIA AREA. HOUSTON HEALTHCARE PROVIDES AN ORIENTATION PROGRAM AS WELL AS MONTHLY MEETINGS AND TRAINING FOR THIS GROUP. (DURING 2021 THERE WERE LIMITED IN PERSON MEETINGS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC SHUT DOWN WHICH OCCURRED TWICE, BUT COMMUNICATION AMONG MEMBERS WAS MAINTAINED.) THE FAITH COMMUNITY NURSES PROVIDE HEALTH EDUCATION AND SCREENINGS, AS WELL AS LINK PERSONS TO HEALTH RESOURCES. THIS GROUP SERVES AREA CHURCHES AND THEIR SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS. IN ADDITION, THE GROUP ADDRESSES SOCIAL CONCERNS. (PROVIDING FOOD BANKS, CLOTHING CLOSETS, SOUP KITCHENS, ETC.) HOUSTON HEALTHCARE SERVES AS THE RESOURCE CENTER AND PARTNER FOR THESE ACTIVITIES. 2. CENTRAL GEORGIA PERINATAL COALITION -THIS HOUSTON HEALTHCARE LED COALITION INCLUDES PUBLIC HEALTH, SCHOOL COUNSELORS, RAINBOW HOUSE, DISTRICT PUBLIC HEALTH, LOCAL OB/GYN REPRESENTATIVES AND OTHERS. IT SEEKS TO PROVIDE OPTIMAL SERVICES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND DECREASE RATES OF PRE-TERM BIRTHS, AND OTHER POOR BIRTH OUTCOMES. THE COALITION ADDRESSES ACCESS TO CARE FOR ALL PREGNANT WOMEN, FOCUSES AND PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SERVICES/RESOURCES FOR WOMEN WHO ARE LOWER INCOME AND UNINSURED, AS WELL AS FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION THAT COMPLICATES THEIR PREGNANCY. INCREASED FOCUS IS ALSO ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING AND INCREASING MATERNAL SUPPORT. (DURING 2021, THE GROUP COMMUNICATED PRIMARILY THROUGH EMAIL DUE TO THE PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN.)HOUSTON HEALTHCARE STAFF MEMBERS SERVE ON NUMEROUS COMMUNITY COALITIONS WITH EXAMPLES THAT INCLUDE:*FAMILY CONNECTION BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND COALITION- HOUSTON HEALTHCARE STAFF SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THIS COALITION TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THIS COALITION HAS TWO STRATEGY TEAMS: 1) HEALTH OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND 2) YOUTH SUCCESS IN SCHOOLS.*WORRALL FOUNDATION BOARD: HOUSTON HEALTHCARE STAFF SERVE ON THE WORRALL FOUNDATION BOARD WHICH HAS A GOAL OF IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF HOUSTON COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH FOCUS ON CREATING PARKS TO INCREASE AND PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES. THE LACK OF NUMBER OF PARKS PER RESIDENTS WAS NOTED AS A NEED IN THE LATEST CHNA.*SUICIDE PREVENTION BOARD AND COALITION- TWO HOUSTON HEALTHCARE STAFF PERSONS SERVE ON THIS BOARD WHICH FOCUSES ON SUICIDE PREVENTION, COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ASSISTANCE WITH OTHER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES. A TOP PRIORITY IS SUICIDE PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION.*SAFE KIDS COALITION- HOUSTON HEALTHCARE PARTNERS WITH SAFE KIDS TO PREVENT INJURIES AND PROMOTE SAFE PRACTICES FOR CHILDREN AND HAS TWO STAFF MEMBERS SERVING ON THIS COALITION, WHICH WORKS COLLABORATIVELY TO IDENTIFY NEEDS AND PLAN ACTIVITIES. (DISTRIBUTION/ FITTING OF BIKE HELMETS, DISTRIBUTION OF SMOKE DETECTORS, CAR SEAT SAFETY, POISON PREVENTION AND WATER SAFETY) THE COALITION WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND PROVIDE SAFETY EDUCATION TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE CENTERS.*HUMAN NEEDS COALITION- THIS COALITION ADDRESSES THE ISSUE OF PERSONS WHO ARE HOMELESS. HOUSTON HEALTHCARE STAFF SERVE ON THE COALITION ALONG WITH LOCAL CHURCHES, VETERANS ASSOCIATION, HOUSING AUTHORITY, FOOD BANKS AND OTHERS.*CHIP (COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN)-THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH'S NORTH CENTRAL HEALTH DISTRICT LEADS THIS GROUP WHICH INCLUDES 13 COUNTIES IN THE NORTH CENTRAL AREA OF GEORGIA. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM HOUSTON HEALTHCARE SERVES ON THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE FOR CHIP."

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GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA- HOUSTON HEALTHCARE SERVES THE MEDICAL NEEDS OF RESIDENTS IN THE CENTRAL GEORGIA AREA WITH THE PRIMARY SERVICE AREA BEING HOUSTON AND PEACH COUNTIES. RESIDENTS IN SURROUNDING COUNTIES ALSO TURN TO HOUSTON HEALTHCARE FOR THEIR MEDICAL SERVICES, WITH THESE COUNTIES INCLUDING BLECKLEY, CRAWFORD, DODGE, DOOLY, MACON, PULASKI, TAYLOR, TWIGGS AND BIBB COUNTY WHICH ARE CONSIDERED OUR SECONDARY SERVICE AREA. ALL HOUSTON HEALTHCARE FACILITIES ARE LOCATED IN HOUSTON COUNTY AND ARE GOVERNED BY TWO BOARDS OF TRUSTEES. THE EXECUTIVE TEAM ALSO OVERSEES ALL OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE HOUSTON HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.DEMOGRAPHICS- MEETING DIVERSE HEALTH NEEDS OF HOUSTON COUNTY RESIDENTS IS AN ONGOING CHALLENGE. HOUSTON COUNTY HAS A YOUNGER POPULATION THAN THE STATE AND THE NATION IN THAT THE MEDIAN AGE IS 35.3. (US CENSUS BUREAU QUICK FACTS 2021) BETWEEN 2000 AND 2010, ACCORDING TO THE US CENSUS, THE POPULATION OF HOUSTON COUNTY INCREASED BY 26.3% WITH THE NUMBER OF HISPANIC RESIDENTS INCREASING BY 158.2%. HOUSTON HEALTHCARE'S DIVERSE POPULATION SERVED INCLUDES: 61.3% CAUCASIAN, 30.5% AFRICAN AMERICAN, 6.6% HISPANIC AND .6% OTHER. (US CENSUS BUREAU AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY) WITH 2,425 EMPLOYEES, HOUSTON HEALTHCARE IS THE 4TH LARGEST EMPLOYER IN HOUSTON COUNTY. ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE IS THE LARGEST WITH OVER 24,500 CONTRACTORS, CIVIL SERVICE AND MILITARY STAFF, FOLLOWED BY HOUSTON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION WITH 5,500 TEACHERS AND STAFF. PERDUE FARMS, WITH OVER 2,520 POULTRY WORKERS, MANY OF WHOM ARE HISPANIC, IS THE 3RD LARGEST AND FRITO-LAY, PRODUCER OF SNACK FOOD WITH OVER 1,500 WORKERS IS THE 5TH LARGEST. (HOUSTON DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY).POPULATION OF HOUSTON COUNTY IS ESTIMATED BY THE CENSUS REPORT AT 166,829 IN 2021 WHICH INCLUDES PERRY WITH A POPULATION OF 18,890 AND WARNER ROBINS WITH A POPULATION OF 80,121. PERRY'S MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS $49,219 PER YEAR WITH 14.1% OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL; WARNER ROBIN'S MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS $55,163 PER YEAR WITH 14.4% OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING BELOW POVERTY LEVEL. (US CENSUS BUREAU QUICK FACTS 2021) THE LATEST CENSUS ESTIMATE SHOWS 34.7% OF HOUSTON COUNTY RESIDENTS LIVE BELOW 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. (US CENSUS BUREAU AMERICAN QUICK FACTS 2021).THE THREE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH INCLUDE HEART DISEASE/STROKE, CANCER AND CHRONIC LOWER RESPIRATORY DISEASES. THE PRC COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORTS THAT AN AVERAGE OF 17.3% OF PERSONS IN HOUSTON COUNTY ARE DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES WHICH IS AN INCREASING NUMBER AND 10% ARE DIAGNOSED WITH PRE-DIABETES. GEORGIA ALSO CONTINUES WITH HIGHER RATES OF PRE-TERM BIRTHS, 10.1% (LESS THAN 37 WEEKS) AND LOW BIRTH NEWBORNS MORE THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE US.HOUSTON COUNTY'S OVERALL RATE OF TOBACCO USAGE IS LOWER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE BUT VAPING CONTINUES TO BE HIGH AMONG THE LOWER INCOME POPULATION. THE OBESITY RATE IN CENTRAL GEORGIA RESIDENTS HAS INCREASED TO 50.1 PERCENT. THESE FACTS DEMONSTRATE THE NEED FOR EDUCATION ON LIFESTYLE CHANGES RELATED TO NUTRITION, EXERCISE AND TOBACCO AVOIDANCE. THESE STATS AND OTHERS PROMPTED OUR DEDICATION TO IMPROVING THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE BY ESTABLISHING AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN THAT INCLUDES PRIORITY AREAS, MEASURABLE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ALONG WITH COLLABORATION AMONG HOUSTON HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS.OTHER HOSPITALS SERVING THE COMMUNITY- THERE ARE NO OTHER HOSPITALS WITHIN HOUSTON COUNTY BESIDES HOUSTON HEALTHCARE; HOWEVER SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS UTILIZE HOSPITALS OUTSIDE OF OUR COUNTY.NUMBER OF FEDERALLY DESIGNATED MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS- IN OUR SERVICE AREA, CRAWFORD, PEACH, TWIGGS AND MACON COUNTIES ARE UNDERSERVED BY PRIMARY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, ACCORDING TO THE STATE OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH, GENERALLY MEANING MORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE PER DOCTOR. BIBB AND HOUSTON COUNTIES CONTINUE TO HAVE POCKETS OF UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.

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PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH- HOUSTON HEALTHCARE BOARD MEMBERS ARE ACTIVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, EMPLOYED OR RETIRED FROM VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS LOCAL SCHOOLS, LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT, PHYSICIAN PRACTICES, LAW FIRMS AND INSURANCE AGENCIES. THEIR EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ENABLE OUR ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED SERVICES AND BENEFITS TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS. AN OPEN MEDICAL STAFF ENABLES THE ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES NEEDED BY THE COMMUNITY AND ALLOWS NEEDED ACCESS TO THE INDIGENT, AS WELL AS MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND TRICARE POPULATIONS.HOUSTON HEALTHCARE SUPPORTS THE VOLUNTEER MEDICAL CLINIC BY PROVIDING A BUILDING FOR THE FREE CLINIC AS WELL AS ACCEPTING REFERRALS FROM THE CLINIC FOR REQUIRED SERVICES SUCH AS RADIOLOGY AND LAB.ADVOCACY INITIATIVES ARE ONGOING TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND INCREASE ACCESS THROUGH LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH AND ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE. HOUSTON HEALTHCARE COLLABORATES WITH ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE THROUGH RELAY HEALTH (ACCESS MEDICAL RECORDS), MENTAL HEALTH COLLABORATION EFFORTS TO IMPROVE TRANSITION OF CARE, PHYSICIAN GRAND ROUNDS, EDUCATIONAL TRAINING CLASSES AND MOU FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY TECHNICIANS.