Foundation presents community health needs to regional partners
As part of the Regional Healthcare Partnership (RHP9), DFW Hospital Council (DFWHC) Foundation President Kristin Jenkins presented a community health needs assessment yesterday at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Attendees included healthcare partners from Dallas, Denton and Kaufman counties. Jenkins was supported by Dr. Sushma Sharma, the Foundation’s director of public and population health research.
Kristin Jenkins
The RHP9 is one of 20 regional partnerships the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has defined for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) funded 1115 waiver program. RHP 9 is the designation for Dallas, Denton, and Kaufman counties in the North Texas region. Parkland Health & Hospital System is serving as the anchoring entity.
“The RHP 9 includes 25 providers serving the population with uniquely diversified characteristics,” said Dr. Sharma. “Per the program requirement, since the last community needs assessment in 2012, participants within the RHP’s had to develop a regional plan identifying partners, community needs, proposed projects and funding distribution focused on improving healthcare delivery. The DFWHC Foundation was engaged to perform this community health needs assessment to provide a current analysis of the local needs of the RHP 9.”
The assessment was completed in fulfillment of the Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program 1115 Waiver process. Over the last five years, providers within these counties have incorporated novel approaches in the areas of infrastructure development. Objectives of the assessment included:
• Identifying regional health trends;
• Identifying differences in trends from previous assessments;
• Identifying improvements in healthcare;
• Providing a resource for stakeholders to make decisions on initiatives.
The process was data-driven, involving a collection strategy among hospitals, primary care providers, agencies and county and state agencies. Key findings from the previous assessment in 2012 detailed needs to improve primary care capacity, behavioral health, chronic diseases, hospital acquired conditions, emergency department readmissions, palliative care and oral health.
The new assessment revealed the need to:
• Improve access to primary and specialty care in rural areas;
• Improve chronic disease care for cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and respiratory illness.
• Improve coordination with culturally appropriate patient care activities;
• Improve behavioral health and substance abuse disparities;
• Improve infant and maternal health through education and coordination with social services.
The report noted several ways to assist in “bridging the gap,” including the promotion of telehealth, health information sharing strategies and workforce training.
For information, please contact Dr. Sharma at ssharma@dfwhcfoundation.org or call 469-648-5031.