Community Health Needs Assessment
Thibodaux Regional’s mission is to provide the highest quality, most
cost effective healthcare services possible to the people of Thibodaux
and surrounding areas. We have stayed true to this mission over the years
by expanding services offered and providing the latest state-of-the-art
technology to meet the growing needs of the communities we serve. We have
remained dedicated and are focused on improving the health and wellness
of our region by providing high quality healthcare services close to home.
Thibodaux Regional takes a proactive approach to identify and reduce healthcare
disparities based on demographic and social determinates of health factors
and spoken and written language preferred for healthcare by patients and
their legal guardians and the impact of those efforts.
Leadership in Understanding and Addressing Community Health Needs
In an effort to assess the needs of our community and identify areas of
opportunity to improve the health, wellness, and safety of our region,
Thibodaux Regional recently invested in completion of a Community Health
Needs Assessment (CHNA) for Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Mary, St. James,
and Assumption Parishes. A population survey of 765 individuals age 18
and older included questions related to individual health status, behaviors,
and needs. An online key informant survey was also performed, which included
feedback from 38 community stakeholders and individuals with public health
knowledge that took part in answering questions related to the degree
in which various health issues are perceived as a problem in their own
communities.
The results of both surveys were compared with secondary benchmark data
and a report that identified 14 major areas of opportunity was produced.
The areas of opportunity identified (in alphabetical order) were: Access
to Healthcare Services, Cancer, Diabetes, Disabling Conditions, Heart
Disease and Stroke, Housing,Infant Health and Family Planning, Injury
and Violence, Mental Health, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Weight,
Oral Health, Sexual Health, Substance Abuse, and Tobacco Use. The results
of the Needs Assessment, including an extensive data review, can be viewed
in the hospital’s final
CHNA Report. To view the prior study click
here.
Community Feedback on Prioritization of Health Needs
Prioritization of the health needs identified in the assessment were determined
based on an exercise conducted among community stakeholders in conjunction
with the administration of the Online Key Informant Survey. In this process,
the key informants were asked to rate the severity of a variety of health
issues in the community. The top 7 health needs identified (in order of
priority) were: Mental Health, Diabetes, Cancer, Nutrition, Physical Activity
& Weight, Housing, Substance Abuse and Heart Disease & Stroke.
Taking Action: Addressing the needs identified in the CHNA
Results of the CHNA and associated strategies will continue to direct growth
and new services offered by Thibodaux Regional Health System in the future.
Mentioned below are just a few of the focus areas. A summary of the prioritized
needs identified in the CHNA, including actions that Thibodaux Regional
is currently taking and future actions planned will be outlined in the
CHNA strategy document once the results are analyzed and an action plan
is created.
Leading in Health and Wellness with State-of-the art Wellness Center
At the top of the list of those needs identified were Nutrition, Physical
Activity, and Weight. Our vision of wellness includes improving the overall
health of an individual—mind, body, and spirit. Thibodaux Regional
Wellness Center has allowed many people to achieve success in improving
their physical activity and investing in their overall quality of life.
The innovative, 242,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, medically-integrated
Wellness Center is a first of its kind in the state, and among the best
in the nation. The Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex which includes a
basketball court, tennis courts, track and field, beach volleyball, walking
paths, and Sports Performance provides an even greater avenue to increase
physical activity and improve overall quality of life.
Helping Kids Lead Healthier Lives
Thibodaux Regional has taken a leadership role in addressing childhood
obesity and strongly believes that if children are provided with education
focused on healthy lifestyle choices and an opportunity to increase their
physical activity, improvements can be made to their overall health. As
part of our ongoing initiative to improve the health and wellness of children
in Lafourche and surrounding parishes, Thibodaux Regional sponsored new
playground equipment for 12 elementary schools in the Lafourche Parish
School District and The Haven. The Health System has also partnered with
the Bayou Country Children's Museum to provide an obstacle course
and an interactive wall display for children. Hospital staff members and
physicians have provided cancer prevention education and nutrition and
fitness instruction in a fun and interactive way to sixth grade students
in public and private schools. Students learned how they can make behavior
changes to achieve success in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Additionally,
Thibodaux Regional sponsored books for second grade students that taught
a lesson about unhealthy eating habits that are harmful to their health.
Thibodaux Regional works closely with high schools and partners with Nicholls
State University athletics to help student-athletes avoid injuries, assist
them in their quest to become top performers, and to develop healthy habits
that last a lifetime.
Integrating Wellness into Clinical Care
We have progressed greatly with our vision of integrating wellness into
clinical care and created WellFit.
WellFit integrates wellness into clinical care providing a customized 8-week
plan to help participants achieve their highest quality of life. The program
can be beneficial to those suffering from chronic pain, arthritis, diabetes,
obesity, heart conditions, orthopaedic conditions, cancer, breathing disorders,
after surgery or those seeking a lifestyle change to improve overall health.
Some of the immediate results of those who have completed the eight-week
program are weight loss and also an increase in their walking distance.
While all participants lost some weight, three-fourths of them lost over
eight pounds in the eight weeks. More than 80% of participants improved
their walk distance during participation in the program. This physician-referred
program has received great feedback from physicians and patients alike.
Commitment to the Community
Thibodaux Regional is committed to improving the health, wellness and safety
of the communities we serve. For example, Thibodaux Regional is a supporting
partner of The Haven, providing needed services for victims of domestic
violence. Activities to raise awareness and funds have included “Hope
for the Haven 5K”, “Brake the Cycle” event, “Home
Is Where the Heart Is” Spring Gala, a clothing drive and toy drive.
We have also invested in improving the general socio-economic conditions
and ultimately the health of those affected by inadequate availability
of food, housing, and environmental conditions. Thibodaux Regional supports
the United Way and the Good Samaritan Food Bank by coordinating food drives
and encouraging team members to donate items to those in need and to also
give of their time by volunteering throughout our local communities.
High Quality Clinical Care
We currently provide many programs and services that address the needs
identified. For example, Thibodaux Regional’s Diabetes Self-Management
Services offers comprehensive diabetes services, instruction and support
to hundreds of inpatients and outpatients, as well as their families and
loved ones. Weekly glucose screenings are offered to members of our community
at no charge to help evaluate health risks, which may lead to early detection
and treatment resulting in decreased complications. In an effort to transform
the care of diabetic outpatients, Thibodaux Regional has developed a Care
Transformation team focused on improving patients Hemoglobin A1C levels.
Another need that was identified as a priority is Cancer Care. As you know,
cancer impacts the lives of so many people—no family is exempt from
the effects of cancer. At Thibodaux Regional, we are working hard to provide
the very best facilities, technology, and services possible. “There
is no place like home” when a patient and their family members are
coping with cancer.
With a projected increase in cancer diagnosis, we once again took a proactive
approach and made a clear statement about our strong commitment to provide
the very best cancer care possible—right here close to home. Our
new, state-of-the art, cancer institute is yet another exciting aspect
of our Journey to Excellence, as we focus on improving the health and
wellness of the communities that we serve!
.