Sutter Health
Memorial Hospital Los Banos
2013 – 2015 Implementation Strategy
Responding to the 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment
520 West I Street, Los Banos, CA 93635
http://www.memoriallosbanos.org
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... 2
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3
About Sutter Health ........................................................................................................... 3
2013 Community Health Needs Assessment Summary .................................................. 4
2013 – 2015 Implementation Strategy ............................................................................... 5
Lack of Activities for Children .................................................................................... 6
Health Care: Lack of specialist, health care availability, health services for the
unemployed .............................................................................................................. 7
Needs Memorial Hospital Los Banos Plans Not to Address ......................................... 10
1. Crimes: related to gangs, violence, shootings and drugs .................................... 10
Approval by Governing Board ........................................................................................ 11
2
Memorial Hospital Los Banos, Implementation Strategy 2013 - 2015
Introduction
This implementation strategy describes how Memorial Hospital Los Banos, a Sutter Health affiliate, plans
to address significant needs identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) published by
the hospital on October 5, 2013 The document describes how the hospital plans to address identified
needs in calendar (tax) years 2013 through 2015.
The 2013 CHNA and this implementation strategy were undertaken by the hospital to understand and
address community health needs, and in accordance with proposed Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
regulations pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
This implementation strategy addresses the significant community health needs described in the CHNA
that the hospital plans to address in whole or in part. The hospital reserves the right to amend this
implementation strategy as circumstances warrant. For example, certain needs may become more
pronounced and merit enhancements to the described strategic initiatives. Alternately, other
organizations in the community may decide to address certain community health needs, and the hospital
may amend its strategies and refocus on other identified significant health needs. Beyond the initiatives
and programs described herein, the hospital is addressing some of these needs simply by providing
health care to the community, regardless of ability to pay.
About Sutter Health
Memorial Hospital Los Banos is affiliated with Sutter Health, a not-for-profit network of hospitals,
physicians, employees and volunteers who care for more than 100 Northern California towns and cities.
Together, we’re creating a more integrated, seamless and affordable approach to caring for patients.
The hospital’s mission is to provide high quality compassionate care and exercise prudent fiscal
responsibility.
At Sutter Health, we believe there should be no barriers to receiving top-quality medical care. We strive
to provide access to excellent health care services for Northern Californians, regardless of ability to pay.
As part of our not-for-profit mission, Sutter Health invests millions of dollars back into the communities we
serve – and beyond. Through these investments and community partnerships, we’re providing and
preserving vital programs and services, thereby improving the health and well-being of the communities
we serve.
In 2012, our network of physician organizations, hospitals and other health care providers invested $795
million (compared to $756 million in 2011) in health care services for low-income people, community
health improvement services, and other community benefits.
For more facts and information about Memorial Hospital Los Banos please visit
http://www.memoriallosbanos.org.
3
Memorial Hospital Los Banos, Implementation Strategy 2013 - 2015
2013 Community Health Needs Assessment Summary
The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) was conducted by Memorial Hospital Los Banos
service area during the 2011 and 2012 calendar years. The steering committee for this process was led
by the administration of Memorial Hospital Los Banos with a work group of local citizens and community
leaders. The San Joaquin data Co-Op was selected to assist with the data collection and preparation of
the CHNA. The data and information was collected from various sources and included demographic data,
economic data, crime data at the city, county and state levels.
The full 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment report conducted by Memorial Hospital Los Banos is
available at http://www.memoirallosbanos.org
Definition of Community
Served by the Hospital
Memorial Hospital Los Banos is located in the southwestern part of
Merced County and is the only full service hospital within 35 miles. The
communities that fall with this range are the cities of Los Banos, (which
includes Santa Nella) as well as Dos Palos and Gustine. At least 75% of
the hospital discharges originated from these cities.
The racial and ethnic makeup of Los Banos includes whites (58%) with
Hispanic and Latino Americans forming the largest minority group and
population group comprising 64.9% of the population, blacks (3.8%),
Asians (3.2%). More than half (55.7%) of the residents speak a language
other than English at home and about one in four do not have a high
school diploma. The unemployment for Los Banos in 2012 was 21.0%
which was significantly higher than that of California at 11.4%
Significant Health Needs
Identified
The following significant health needs were identified by the 2013 CHNA.
Significant Community Health Need
Intends to
Address
Crime : Related to gangs, violence, shootings and drugs
No
Activities: Lack of activities for children and adults, no activities for seniors
Yes
Health Care: Lack of specialists, health care availability, health services for
unemployed
Yes
4
Memorial Hospital Los Banos, Implementation Strategy 2013 - 2015
2013 – 2015 Implementation Strategy
This implementation strategy describes how Memorial Hospital Los Banos plans to address significant
health needs identified in its 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment and consistent with its
charitable mission. The strategy describes:



5
Actions the hospital intends to take, including programs and resources it plans to commit;
Anticipated impacts of these actions and a plan to evaluate impact; and
Any planned collaboration between the hospital and other organizations.
Memorial Hospital Los Banos, Implementation Strategy 2013 - 2015
Lack of Activities for Children
Name of Program, Initiative
or Activity
Police Activities League (PAL) and Los Banos Recreation Program
Description
Memorial Hospital Los Banos will provide grants to the Los Banos PAL
and Los Banos Recreation program to provide opportunities for local
children to participate in youth sports programs
Anticipated Impact and Plan
to Evaluate
Youth will have increased opportunities to participate in sports programs.
The hospital will measure the program’s impact by annually measuring
the number of youth served as well as program specific measurements
of success
Name of Program, Initiative
or Activity
Sports Physical Programs
Description
Memorial Hospital Los Banos will provide sports physicals for qualified
students, allowing students to participate in school sports.
Anticipated Impact and Plan
to Evaluate
Barriers to students’ ability to participate in school sports program will be
reduced. The hospital will measure the program’s impact by annually
measuring the number of students served and the number of physicals
performed.
6
Memorial Hospital Los Banos, Implementation Strategy 2013 - 2015
Health Care: Lack of specialist, health care availability, health
services for the unemployed
Name of Program, Initiative
or Activity
Health Insurance Enrollment Program
Description
Memorial Hospital Los Banos contracts with Med Assist to provide
assistance to uninsured patients to accurately complete applications for
low or no cost health insurance programs.
Anticipated Impact and Plan
to Evaluate
The Health Insurance Enrollment Program is anticipated to increase the
rate of health insurance coverage for children and adults in Merced
County. The hospital will evaluate the impact of the program by annually
tracking the number of people that receive enrollment assistance.
Name of Program, Initiative
or Activity
Family Health Fair
Description
The free Family Health Fair will allow targeted community members
access screening and resources that they may not access otherwise.
Additionally, at the health fair, people of all ages and cultures are
provided fitness and nutritional information that may address obesity,
chronic conditions and overall general health. Follow-up on any out of
range screening results are provided for those at the Family Health Fair
and appropriate resources and referrals are given as needed.
Anticipated Impact and Plan
to Evaluate
The Family Health Fair will increase access to information and health
care services for all attendees. Screenings and follow up activities will
improve individual health and reduce the number of ED visits due to
untreated chronic conditions. The hospital will evaluate the impact of the
Family Health Fair by annually tracking the number of people served and
the results of follow- up calls to those with out of range screening results
7
Memorial Hospital Los Banos, Implementation Strategy 2013 - 2015
Name of Program, Initiative
or Activity
Rural Communities Access Improvement Project (RCAIP)
Description
Memorial Hospital Los Banos staff will work with regional and local
planning resources to identify approaches to improving access to care in
rural communities. They will identify and implement opportunities to
target specific populations and geographic areas community members
that may have difficulty accessing available health care services and
resources
Anticipated Impact and Plan
to Evaluate
The Rural Communities Access Improvement Project will increase
access to information and health care services, improve individual health
and reduce the number of ED visits due to untreated chronic conditions.
The hospital will evaluate the impact of the RCAIP program by annually
tracking the progress of implemented strategies, including the number of
people served and any additional metrics as they are identified.
Name of Program, Initiative
or Activity
Taxi Voucher Program
Description
Memorial Hospital Los Banos will provide taxi vouchers at discharge for
medically indigent patients needing transportation assistance.
Anticipated Impact and Plan
to Evaluate
Barriers to receiving care associated with lack of access to transportation
will be reduced for the medically indigent community member. The
hospital will measure the program’s impact by annually measuring the
number of patients served.
8
Memorial Hospital Los Banos, Implementation Strategy 2013 - 2015
Name of Program, Initiative
or Activity
Cardiology Coverage for the Emergency Department
Description
Cardiology services are provided to uninsured patient presenting in the
Emergency Department with medical problems requiring care by a
cardiologist. The care is provided by the Central Valley Cardiovascular
Medical Group through the indigent care process.
Patients that previously required referral or transfer out of town for this
specialty care are now provided services locally.
Anticipated Impact and Plan
to Evaluate
Memorial Hospital will evaluate the impact of the program by annually
tracking the number of uninsured patients receiving cardiology care in
the ED that did not require transfer for higher level of care.
Name of Program, Initiative
or Activity
Diabetes Continuum of Care
Description
Memorial Hospital Los Banos will provide Diabetes education to support
community members in their ability to take charge of health challenges
related to diabetes by providing a continuum of care that is accessible
and relevant to their needs.
Anticipated Impact and Plan
to Evaluate
Memorial Hospital will annually evaluate the program by tracking the
number of participants that are referred and complete the program.
Additionally, the hospital will track usage of the Emergency Department
by program participants.
9
Memorial Hospital Los Banos, Implementation Strategy 2013 - 2015
Needs Memorial Hospital Los Banos Plans Not to Address
No hospital can address all of the health needs present in its community. Memorial Hospital Los Banos is
committed to serving the community by adhering to its mission, using its skills and capabilities, and
remaining a strong organization so that it can continue to provide a wide range of community benefits.
This implementation strategy does not include specific plans to address the following significant health
needs that were identified in the 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment:
1. Crimes: related to gangs, violence, shootings and drugs
Memorial Hospital Los Banos does not have the expertise to effectively address the needs of the
community as it relates to crime such as gang violence and drug abuse.
The hospital may support anti-gang initiatives if requested by those with expertise in this area. It will also
monitor recently reported anti-violence interventions by healthcare institutions in other locations to see if
they might be applied in the Los Banos area.
10
Memorial Hospital Los Banos, Implementation Strategy 2013 - 2015
Approval by Governing Board
This implementation strategy was approved by the Governing Board of Memorial Hospital Los Banos on
October 24, 2013.
11
Memorial Hospital Los Banos, Implementation Strategy 2013 - 2015