GRMC Adopts Community Health Needs Action Plan

Following months of data collection, town hall meetings, and combing through data by staff, recommendations from a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to address local health needs were presented and adopted by the Grinnell Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees.

The primary areas of focus following the assessment are: mental health, obesity/nutrition needs, preventive care, wellness education, access to care, urgent care, insurance quality of care and transportation. Key elements include increasing access and providers at the mental health center, offering preventive care education and literature, and expanding collaboration with community partners to offer services such as health education and transportation.

“From a quality of life and public health perspective as well as with healthcare reform changes coming, we need a solid understanding of the current status of health for the communities and individuals we serve,” says Todd Linden, GRMC CEO and president. “The top 10 list didn’t reveal any surprises to us; however, it validates our decisions to move forward with programs such as our mental health center and the urgent care clinic. Other areas such as transportation remain a community need that we’ll be looking to other community partners to help address.”

The CHNA task force collected data from a variety of local, state, national, private, and government sources to evaluate the current health of the GRMC service area. A survey was completed in April, a town hall meeting was held in May, and a second town hall meeting to discuss results was help in August. CNHAs are required by the new federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Under this act, all nonprofit hospitals are mandated to conduct a CHNA survey at least once every three years and create an action plan to address community needs and concerns.

To view the entire report, action plan and data collected, go www.grmc.us. Under the About Us tab you’ll find the Poweshiek CHNA report. You may also call Grinnell Regional Public Health at 641-236-2588.