Meeting the Mission: To have the healthiest workforce in America
Leah Holzwarth, MS, CWP, CWPM, ACSM/HFS
Wellness Advantage, Baptist Health South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida (Baptist Health), is the region’s most-preferred notfor-profit healthcare organization and, with 15,000 employees, South Florida’s
largest private employer. Baptist Health created Wellness Advantage in 2001 as
an organization-wide commitment to improve the health and well being of our
employees and their families. Wellness Advantage offers a comprehensive
program of health-related employee services. We believe Wellness is the key to
every success Baptist Health enjoys, whether it's the ability to care for our
patients, to balance our personal and professional lives or to focus on our
mission. Practicing wellness also means that we can keep our own healthcare
costs, including our medical plan premiums and our healthcare service utilization
rate, as low as possible. From our free on-site employee clinics, free fitness
centers, nationally recognized childhood obesity class and cutting edge health
management program.....our mission is to have the healthiest workforce in
America.
Summary of Program
Wellness Advantage is based on six dimensions of wellness: physical,
intellectual, emotional/spiritual, social, occupational, and environmental. All
programming fits into one of these dimensions. We believe that by helping
employees keep a balance between the dimensions they will lead healthier
lives and be a more engaged employee.
Interventions
Program Impact
Wellness Advantage – a multi-disciplinary team of Wellness Coaches, Exercise
Physiologists, Registered Dietitians, and Web Portal Administrators create and
maintain a culture of wellness throughout Baptist Health. They provide a continuum
of programming from BMI Busters to marathon training to great tasting, nutritious
food to an engaging web portal all so employees have an opportunity to achieve
their desired level of health.
In 2013, through our many health screening events, we have been able to identify the
percentage of employees with diabetes (4%), cholesterol (34%), high blood pressure (5%),
and those that are smokers or tobacco users (10%). With this information, we are able to
better assist those with these conditions and provide education and programming specific
to these groups.
My Unlimited Potential Program- a one year program for high-risk employees with
cardio-metabolic risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia,
and obesity. The first 12 weeks are high touch and involve education and practical
tools along with constant interaction with the team. Regular follow up happens for
the next 40 weeks.
Condition Prevalence
60
50 50
50
Families Step Up - an 8 week program for Baptist Health employees with children
between the ages of 8-12, looking to develop healthier habits. The program’s three
components are: nutrition, exercise and communication. The team consists of a
Registered Dietitian, Exercise Physiologist, and Licensed Marriage and Family
Therapist.
You Matter - is a collaboration between the Employee Health Offices (EHO),
Employee Health Management (EHM) and Wellness Advantage. All BHSF
employees must visit the EHO for an annual physical. During this visit employees
have their height and weight measured. If an employee is interested in making
changes the EHO staff refers them to their Wellness Coach. The Wellness Coach
coordinates a meeting with the employee to determine health and wellness goals
and how to achieve them. The Wellness Coach serves as motivation, support and
as touchstone for the employee on their wellness journey.
% of BHSF Population
Organization
Nat'l
40
2001
34
29
30
2013
21
21
20
10
15
10
12
10.5
5
4
0
Diabetes
↑Cholesterol
↑Blood Pressure
↑Smoking
Training Groups – provide not only various ways for employees to become fit, they
have also become some of the more social events held at BHSF. Employees run,
cycle and swim together, making new friends and connections. With a large
organization - both in population and distance - many times employees don’t know
each other; the training groups have broken down silos creating not only a more fit
organization but a more social and engaged one.
We studied employees who completed the health assessment (HA) for three consecutive
years and found that they improved 9 of 13 health risks measured. Preventative screening
compliance has increased from 79% to 83%. These employees are also more physically
active and eating healthier. Weight and cholesterol levels have remained stable. This
group also ranks their health as very good or excellent. The percent of users who know
their blood pressure and cholesterol biometrics has increased by over 40%. This cohort
has lowered their medical cost by an average of $1,039 based on health assessment data.
myWellnessAdvantage.net – Healthcare is a 24/7/365 operation. Wellness
Advantage goal is to reach all employees and help them reach their desired health
status. The web portal provides the opportunity to reach each employee no matter
what shift they work.
According to the HA, our absenteeism rates average a savings of $18/person. Also, from
health assessment results, the average decrease in productivity due to health issues fell
from 4.1% to 2.8% in 2013.
Program Impact
In 2013 we determined an estimated cost avoidance of $19 million. We have calculated
this marker since 2005 and estimate that Wellness Advantage has saved Baptist Health
$111 million.