• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

Inside best practice: Healer, heal thyself

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, March 9, 2010

It is a bit of an industry joke: hospital employees are statistically among the most unhealthy Americans, particularly when it comes to cardiovascular health.

To combat this fact, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Spartanburg, SC?designated as an ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® (MRP) organization in 2005?sought to focus on improving the health of its 5,000 employees as it aimed to reduce the comparatively high rate of deaths from heart disease in the region?556 vs. 536 per 100,000 nationwide.

And, with planning and effort, it did. Spartanburg Regional Health System successfully inspired employees to exercise, helped employees lose 1,759 pounds collectively, and identified 250 employees with elevated systolic blood pressure, while simultaneously improving the overall health of their community and laying a blueprint for other hospitals to follow that included the education of three OB/GYN groups, one Family Medicine group, Spartanburg Regional Medical Center (SRMC) employee health department and all of the medical residents who rotated through the chest pain department, as well as two employee wellness challenges and screenings.

SRMC is also part of the HeartCaring® Program, a Spirit of Women national campaign focusing on outreach and education of heart health issues.

?What we realized was that we needed to give this information out and take care of our own employees,? says Mary Mathes, executive director of women and children?s services at SRMC.

Source: This excerpt is from the March issue of HCPro?s Advisor to the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®. Don?t have a subscription? Take a look at the benefits of becoming a member of HCPro?s Resource Center for the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®.

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive