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.
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 764 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 51 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, Heart Disease and Stroke, Infant
Health and Family Planning, Injury and Violence, Mental Health, Nutrition,
Physical Activity and Weight, Oral Health, Potentially Disabling Conditions,
Respiratory Disease, Septicemia, 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, Substance Abuse, Nutrition, Physical Activity
& Weight, Heart Disease & Stroke, Diabetes, Tobacco Use amd Cancer.
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 oulined in a CHNA
strategy document.
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, Phase II of the
Wellness Center, which includes tennis courts, track and field, beach
volleyball, walking paths, and Sports Performance now 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 11 elementary schools in the Lafourche Parish
School District. Hospital staff members and physicians have provided 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. Half of all participants increased their
walking distance by 40%. 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 local Good Samaritan Food Bank by coordinating food drives and encouraging
team members to dedicate their time volunteering at the Food Bank.
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 levles.
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!
.