2013 COMMUNITY SERVICE PLAN
A CONNECTION TO WELLNESS AND BETTER HEALTH IN OUR COMMUNITY
Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center (BMHMC) is a voluntary, not-for-profit
community hospital in Patchogue, Suffolk County, New York. Brookhaven has
maintained a commitment providing access to quality health care for since its founding in
1956. Since that time, Brookhaven has grown from a 100-bed hospital founded to meet
the needs of the Village of Patchogue to a Medical Center with an operating license for
306 beds that serves the lives of more than 350,000 people living in 28 different
communities.
The 2013 Community Service Plan will provide an overview of the Medical Center and
its plans for providing access to care for the community for the upcoming years.
Mission Statement
It is our mission is to deliver accessible, high-quality health services in a focused caring
and teaching environment while providing health advocacy for the community and
people we serve.
Vision
The vision for Brookhaven is delivering leading edge health care solutions through a
focused and compassionate team in technologically advanced facilities. Achieving the
capacity to invest in the future enables us to create recognized Centers of Excellence,
provide a learning culture, and become the employees’ and patients’ provider of choice
Core Values
Quality – performing at the highest level of expertise to produce the best
outcomes;
Compassion – treating others with concern, interest, and caring;
Integrity – honesty in all of our actions and interactions;
Dignity- treating others with respect and courtesy;
Responsibility and Accountability – owning one’s action and their consequences.
We provide that care through a 306-bed acute-care hospital that’s part of a
multidisciplinary, multi-campus, state-of-the-art healthcare complex, designed to meet
the evolving needs of the 28 Suffolk County communities we serve.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
While much has changed since we first opened our doors to the community in 1956, our
patient-centered approach to healthcare remains as strong as ever. Today, we are home to
some of the finest centers for specialized care along with a Level II Trauma
Center/Emergency Room, two Community Health Centers in partnership with Suffolk
County and more. The Medical Center also was the first in the county to establish a
Certified Home Health Care Department, a Hospice and an outpatient Hemodialysis unit
and is a leader in health education throughout the community.
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For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
Community Service Plan-At-A- Glance
The chart below provides an overview of the scope of the 2013-2015 Community Service
Plan for BMHMC. The areas of focus are for community and employees. BMHMC will
be reaching out to a wide variety of organizations within the community to offer
educational programs as well as services to assist in living healthier lives and making
better health choices.
BMHMC Community Service Plan
2013-2015
Objective: Provide programs and services that address Diabetes and Obesity in the communities served by the Medical Center
Areas of Focus
2013
2014
2015
Develop Communication Survey
Plan and Initial Assessment Process
Conduct Survey and Assessment
Conduct Survey and Assessment
Employee Based
Wellness Benefit Programs
Nutritional Services
Shops and Vending Options
Report Findings
Community Outreach
Community Awareness
and Education
Market CSP Internally and Externally
Report on Findings
At-Large
BOCES
School Districts
Medical Lecture Series
Self Awareness Education Programs Types I & II
Program Plan Development
Update CSP
Community Partners
Patient Council
Provide Service Links
Modify Implementation Plan
Service Clubs
YMCA's
Implementation
Boys and Girls Clubs
Continue with Implementation
Houses of Worship
Libraries
NFP Organizaitons
Community Benefit
Maintain Service Links
Charity Care
Bad Debit
Continue with Classes and Lectures
Provide Class and Lectures
Time/Talent
3
For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
Community Served
We serve the needs of 28 towns and villages in Suffolk County. The Medical Center’s
primary and secondary service area census is 350,000 persons and includes Brookhaven
(one of the fastest growing towns in New York), and expands from west to east from
Sayville to Moriches and north to Coram and Selden. Currently the current highest
number of visits originate from the town of Patchogue, which has a large number of
minorities (28% Latinos and Blacks), and an individual median income that on average is
approximately $37,000 less than other Suffolk County residents, and is even lower than
the New York State median income. While the County has areas of wealth, the
population served by the Medical Center contains 7 out of 10 communities with the
lowest median income in Suffolk County. Approximately 85,162 individuals in Suffolk
County live below the federal poverty level.
Brookhaven operates the South Brookhaven Family Health Center in Patchogue and
Shirley on a contractual basis with Suffolk County Department of Health. There is an
Advisory Council for these Health Centers comprised of public health advocates and
patients.
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For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
Public Participation
The Medical Center has established a leadership position in health promotion, prevention
and education throughout the community. Regional health planning is accomplished
through a number of Agency contacts including the Suffolk County Department of
Health, Mental Health Agencies and the New York State Department of Health.
Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center is dedicated to communicating with key
staff and community members, as the Hospital prepares to plan for the future health care
needs of the people we serve.
Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center was founded by a community focused
Board of Directors and continues with more than 25 members from the community
serving on the governing Board.
In addition, the Medical Center established an Advisory Council to receive further input
of the needs of the community’s residents. There are more than 30 members on the
Advisory Council. Members are typically active in other areas of the community and
including: civic leaders, members of the clergy, school representatives, public health
advocate; business leaders and service club members.
Community Outreach has long been a mainstay for Brookhaven Memorial Hospital
Medical Center. Brookhaven’s outreach program participates in community health fairs
in senior and community centers as well as civic associations throughout the region. The
Medical Center is also an active member of eight Chambers of Commerce in the
community. Membership with these chambers affords Brookhaven the opportunity to
learn of the needs of the workforce and business leaders in the community. Brookhaven
has a strong presence in the civic and service Clubs,(e.g. Kiwanis, Rotary Club, Lions,)
houses of worship, the YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs, local government health and
social service programs, the social service agencies. senior living communities and public
libraries.
Through its Emergency Management program, Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical
Center communicates on a regular basis with the 28 voluntary EMS, EMT and Fire
Departments in its service area. These volunteer departments provide an invaluable
service to the community. As the 911 responders in the community, they are intimately
familiar with the needs of the community. Through regular dialogue, Brookhaven learns
of the unmet needs in the community and is able to assess its ability to meet those needs
or provide connections to available services.
BMHMC provides a wide variety of programs and services in our community. The most
encompassing of these is its county-wide recognized Home Health Agency. Our
certified Home Health Care is a successful means of providing high-quality healthcare
services. The need for service will be determined by the patient’s physician, in
consultation with the professional nurse coordinator, the patient and the family. These
services bring to your home the same professional care you receive at the hospital.
5
For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
These services may:
• Shorten or prevent an inpatient stay in the hospital.
• Provide a smooth transition from the hospital to the home.
• Prevent or delay placement in a nursing facility.
• Help reduce the stress on the patient and family.
Home Care makes it possible for patients to continue their recuperation at home with the
availability of services provided by skilled professionals. It is also available to
individuals who have not been recently hospitalized if they still meet the eligibility
criteria.
Home Care also provides a Telehealth program for its home care patients.
Telemonitoring involves collecting and sending biometric and symptom data from
patients’ homes to nurse care coordinators. Daily readings enable nurses and physicians
to intervene early, resolving health problems before they become crises. Nurses also
counsel patients, teaching them to live successfully with chronic diseases. Telemonitoring
improves quality of care and health, and reduces the cost of care.
Telemonitoring functions through several mechanisms. First, it gives clinicians insight
into a patient’s condition when the patient is at home, without a lengthy phone call or
home visit. Blood pressure, temperature, weight, blood glucose, blood oxygen, selfreported symptoms and other biometric data can be measured by patients at home and
uploaded automatically. If a patient’s health is deteriorating, our clinicians know about it
early, often early enough for a home or office visit instead of a trip to the ER or a hospital
admission.
In addition to improving the transition from hospital to home, it helps people with
chronic diseases such as diabetes become better patients. When readings are outside an
acceptable range, care coordinators help patients understand how their health behaviors—
skipping a few pills, eating a high salt meal, etc.—create the adverse readings that
threaten their health. Telehealth offers powerful ‘teachable moments’ to show patients
how their self-care behaviors affect their health.
Our Behavioral Health Home Care Program can support those in the community with
Behavioral Health illnesses who are also learning to manage Diabetes. There can often
be high levels of non-compliance in this patient population. Through this program we can
provide home visits by a Registered Nurse, Nutritional Therapist, Social Worker and
Physical and Occupational Therapy if needed.
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For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
Assessment and Selection
As an active member of the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council, Brookhaven has been an
extremely engaged participant in assessing the needs of the community at large and the
region. BMHMC collaborated with the Council as well as the Suffolk County
Department of Health to select Prevention of Chronic Disease as the priority for Suffolk
County.
The Community Health Assessment indicated there were substantial needs for addition
programs and services for the prevention and chronic disease management of diabetes
and for the reduction of obesity in the community.
Through our assessment efforts, BMHMC has learned some very salient facts that were
provided tremendous influence in selecting diabetes and obesity as the areas of focus for
the Community Service Plan.
Suffolk County Population
12% of the residents are uninsured, which is greater that then national percentage
of 11%.
22% of youth live in single family households compared to a national average of
20% .
According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University Wisconsin
Population Health Institute, 22% of children living in Suffolk County have
inadequate social supports. Their data reveals that the US, the average rate is
14%.
Fewer people --13 out of every 100,000 individuals-- have access to recreational
facilities in Suffolk County as compared to other counties in America: 16 out of
every 100,000 people.
There are more fast food restaurants in Suffolk County per person, in comparison
to the rest of the country; there are 48 restaurants per 100,000 people vs. 27 out
of every 100,000 persons.
70 (out of every 100,000) people living in Suffolk County had preventable
hospital admissions in 2012. This overall number for the US per 100,000 people
was much lower at 47 (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation).
74% of Suffolk County residents are at risk for pre-mature deaths because they
don’t have access to or don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables.
28% of Suffolk County residents are at risk for pre-mature deaths because they
don’t get enough exercise.
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in New York State, (excluding New
York City), according to the New York State Department of Health’s Vital
Statistics.
Diabetes mortality rates are 14% of all deaths in Suffolk County and are the
highest in the region.
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For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
Diabetes hospitalization rates in Suffolk County are also highest in the region at
15.9%.
The percentage of adults diagnosed with diabetes in Suffolk County is 9%,
compared to Nassau County, which is 5.9%.
Fewer adults in Suffolk County have undergone diabetic screenings than
throughout the entire nation.
6.3% of Suffolk County residents are at risk for pre-mature death due to diabetes.
Obesity
20% of Suffolk County residents are at risk for pre-mature death due to obesity.
16.5% of all school children—elementary, middle and high school youth-- are
obese in Suffolk County. In Nassau County, 13.6% are obese..
26% of adults eat 5 or more fruits or vegetables per day. The Nassau County
percentage is 27.3.
Age-adjusted percentage of adults who did not participate in leisure time physical
activity in last 30 days—latest available data (2008-2009): 79% in Suffolk
County. New York State County overall average is 76%.
23.4% of pregnant women in WIC were pre-pregnancy obese (BMI 30 or higher).
26% of individuals in Suffolk County are obese. In the US at large, 25% of
individuals are obese.
BMHMC
Employees
BMHMC employs more than 2,300 full and part time and per diem workers.
More than 65% of these employees live within the hospital’s primary and
secondary service area. As such, through a focused effort with specific initiative
opportunities, there is a unique opportunity to provide for a healthier workforce
and improve the overall health of our community.
Discharges
In 2012, among the BMHMC patient population, the number of hospital
discharges with diabetes listed as the first diagnosis exceeds 400 patients with
more than 25% being readmitted.
In the same period (2012) the number of patients at BMHMC with a secondary
diagnosis of diabetes exceeded 1713 with more than 38% of those patients being
readmitted has increased by more than 50% over the last 10 years to more than
688,000 lives.
In the same people, hospital discharges with diabetes as any-listed diagnosis
increased from 2.8 million to nearly 5.5 million in the last primary diagnosis of
Diabetes
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For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
Readmissions
Readmission rates for patients who suffer from diabetes and other comorbidities
is much higher, especially for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, renal failure and red blood cell
disorders.
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For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
The focus of BMHMC’s Community Service Plan is to provide resources and services to
at-risk members of the community who are dealing with diabetes and obesity and other
health related issues.
Diabetes Wellness Center
BMHMC hosts free education programs provided by the Suffolk County Department of
Health Services (through the NYS Diabetes Prevention Program) regarding Pre –
Diabetes. Prediabetes is a serious health condition that can lead to diabetes, heart
disease, and stroke. Most people with prediabetes don’t know that they have the
condition.
The New York State Diabetes Prevention Program (NYS DPP) has proven to prevent
diabetes in people who have prediabetes or who are at high risk for diabetes. Over 16
weeks, a trained lifestyle coach leads one-hour weekly sessions to help participants
improve their food choices, increase physical activity, and learn coping skills to maintain
weight loss. By making small lifestyle changes, participants can reach the two main goals
of the NYS DPP:
• Lose 5-7% of body weight and keep it off
• Be more physically active
In 2006, BMHMC developed the Diabetes Wellness Center with the support of the
Suffolk County Lions Diabetes Education Foundation http://sclionsdiabetes.org/ and
Lions International. The Center has a Diabetes Self-Management Education Program and
offers a series of educational programs “Living Well While Managing Your Diabetes”
for those learning to manage with diabetes in their life.
The classes are held at the Brookhaven Diabetes Wellness Center located at 33 Medford
Ave, Patchogue, NY 11772. For more information please call 631.687.4188.
School-Based Programs
As a component of the 2013-2015 CSP, BMHMC will be seeking funding to provide
diabetes and obesity educational programs through a program called “Creating Health
Communities – One Family at a Time” (CHC). CHC will identify patient populations
that are at risk within the BMHMC service area. It will assess the resources currently
available within boundaries of the school district and then develop systems for
coordinated and continuous high quality care. Once implemented the program will
evaluate outcomes and make modifications as necessary.
In addition, the BOCES – Bellport Academic Center is located within the BMHMC
services area. The Center is an educational cooperative that provides educational
leadership, direct instruction, management, and support through quality, cost-effective
instructional programs and shared services. These programs and services maximize
educational and career opportunities.
10
For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
BMHMC has a contractual relationship to provide health care services to the students at
the Center. Educational material about diabetes and obesity will be distributed to the
students as a component of BMHMC’s outreach program and this Community Service
Plan.
Bellport Primary Care Center
BMHMC is constructing a primary care center in Bellport which is less than 2 miles from
the main hospital. There is not a single physician office located within the community of
the new center. Previously, residents rely on Brookhaven’s Emergency Department for
primary care services, and more often than not, are hospitalized for conditions that could
have been prevented if the patients were served in their community by a primary care
center. This proposed new primary care center with a heightened focus on prevention
especially in the areas of diabetes, hypertension, tobacco cessation, obesity. women’s
health and cardiovascular education.
The Bellport Primary Care Center (BPCC)will be a major provider of education and
information for patients and residents regarding diabetes and obesity.
Located in close proximity to the BPPC is a new Boys and Girls Club facility. BPPC and
the Club intend to collaborate to provide better health and lifestyle choices for the
residents of the community.
Health Centers
The South Brookhaven Family Health Centers are a Community Health Partnership
between the Medical Center and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services
(SCDHS).
In Shirley since 1972 and Patchogue since 1975, the Health Centers are funded through
the Suffolk County Health Department by an annual budget approved by the Suffolk
County Legislature.
Health Center physicians provide ambulatory care in the fields of family medicine,
internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecological, pediatric and behavioral healthcare to
area residents who lack access to care.
BMHMC will inform the patients at the Health Centers of the free programs and services
it offers related to diabetes and obesity.
Community-Based Patient Advisory Council
BMHMC realizes the tremendous value of having a community-based patient advisory
council (PAC). In 2014, BMHMC will select members of the community who have
utilized the services of our medical center either themselves or as a family members to
provide us information and feedback about the programs and services offered.
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For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
The PAC will meet quarterly to provide BMHMC with insight to the effectiveness of its
outreach programs as well as to apprise the hospital of the ongoing health needs of the
community.
The patient advisory council will be a multidisciplinary team and include representation
from the targeted patient population.
The PAC will have no more than 20 total members. This size allows for diverse
representation but is small enough for effective communication and consensus
development. To create a diverse patient membership for the council, patients' ages,
genders, medical conditions, and cultural or racial backgrounds will be taken into
consideration.
Patient members on the council will provide the consumer perspective for the
Community Service Plan. They do this through sharing their own opinions and expertise
as well as experiential knowledge from personal, family member, or friends' encounters
with the health care issue being addressed. Key characteristics of the patient
representative include:
Good communication skills.
The ability to collaborate with diverse individuals in a group setting.
Representation of the consumer base in which the council exists, including cultural,
racial, or ethnic communities.
Firsthand knowledge of the topic at hand. For example, if the council represents a
group of clinics, patient representatives should receive care from one of the clinics.
If the focus is on a clinical condition, patient representatives should either have the
condition or have family members who have it.
To recruit patients for the council BMHMC will be seeking referrals from health
care providers including those practitioners in the Health Centers.
Employee Health
In addition to providing programs and services to the community, BMHMC recognizes
the need to provide assistance to it employees. With more than 65% of its employees and
their families living in the service area, BMHMC is the community hospital of its
employees.
BMHMC will be enhancing it Employee Health Programs that offer assistance in making
lifestyle changes that an individual can agree to and incorporate into a routine.
BMHMC encourages its employees to make full use of the wellness benefits offered
through its health insurance provider. BMHMC encourages all its employees to
complete a needs assessment which includes a thorough review of their current health
status (i.e., cholesterol levels, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure) as well as
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please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
understanding the implications of their lifestyle decisions (i.e., physical activity, diet);
and
The Nutritional Services Department at BMHMC has incorporated healthy food choices
into its menus for the Employee Dining Room. During the course of the Community
Service Plan, Nutritional Services will also implement changes to the vending machine
and sundry shop choices available.
Community Health Programs
In addition to the many programs and services offered by BMHMC, there are many other
community programs to help achieve better health.
It is indisputable that exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. BMHMC
encourage walking as a low-impact, low cost, relatively stress free way to get exercise.
Below is a list of a few walking trails and programs available to members of the
BMHMC service area:
Benjamin Tallmadge Trail:
http://www.brookhaven.org/Portals/13/Documents/Benjamin%20Tallmadge%20
Walking%20Guide.pdf
The Brookhaven Trail - http://nysparks.com/parks/180/details.aspx
Town of Brookhaven – Parks and Recreation
http://www.brookhaven.org/tourism/OutdoorAdventures/NatureTrailsandHikingin
Brookhaven.aspx
Dissemination of CSP to the Public
An Executive Summary in Pamphlet form of this Community Service Plan is available on
the BMHMC website: www.brookhavenhospital.org. For a complete copy please contact
the External Relations office at 631.654.7708.
Process to Sustain Engagement
Ongoing Focused conversations with service clubs
Establishment of the Patient Advisory Council - The council involve patients,
consumers, and a variety of practitioners and professionals from health care and
community organizations to drive change for patient safety through education,
collaboration, and consumer engagement.
President’s Breakfast Council
BMHMC is establishing the BMHMC President’s Breakfast Council (PBC) for business
leaders and human resource administrators from the service area. The PBC provides an
opportunity for an exchange of ideas regarding the health of the workforce in the service
area.
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For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
At the PBC, attendees with learn about programs and services offered through BMHMC
which assist employees to live healthier lifestyles and make better choices about their
health, e.g. exercise and food choices.
In addition, members of the PBC will provide BMHMC with a greater understanding of
the needs of the people who work in facilities that are within the 911 area that is served
by the Emergency Department.
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For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.
BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
Economic Impact
Charity Care
As a community based Hospital, Brookhaven provides a significant volume of care to the
impoverished in our service area. Caring for all members of our community, regardless of
their ability to pay is our mission.
The Medical Center has a Charity Care Policy in place, as well as informational signage
throughout the facility in both English and Spanish, which indicates that it is the policy of
Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center to provide free care or care at a reduced
rate to uninsured patients who meet the eligibility requirements of the Hospital’s Charity
Care Policy.
Applications for the Charity Care Program, as well as additional information, are
available in the following areas of the Medical Center:
•
Admitting Department
•
Central Registration
•
Emergency Department Registration
•
Cashier’s Office
•
Credit and Collection Department
During the registration process, should a patient indicate “self-pay” as a form of
reimbursement for the Hospital, a Charity Care packet is provided. This packet includes a
letter of explanation, as well as the Medical Center’s policy.
The Medical Center has made available to the entire community all of its programs on a
no-charge or sliding scale basis. These programs include all of our educational programs,
health screenings, general hospital admissions, Health Center activities, Home Care, and
Hospice. A charity care letter is provided at the time of admission. Charity care
information is also available in the Home Health and Health Center sections of this
document. In 2012, Charity Care provided by BMHMC was $15,411,577. In addition,
the Hospital provides community service programs free or below cost and provides a
variety of patient care services where reimbursement under Federal and State agreements
is below costs. These services included, but are not limited to emergency department,
renal dialysis and primary care clinics.
Financial Aid Assistance
Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center also joined the Nassau Suffolk
Hospital Council Facilitator Program in 2009, where two bi-lingual
representatives are in the Hospital four hours, two times per month. They come to
the campus to help patients apply for Medicaid, Family Health Plus or Child
Health Plus. If the applicant does not qualify, they in turn help them connect with
the proper representatives in the Business Office for financial assistance or
Charity Care. The challenge is that there are many undocumented patients who
speak many languages who are not always willing to cooperate, many are
transient. To assist in overcoming this obstacle, BMHMC does participate in a
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BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
language translation telephonic service. The non-English speaking person can use
a phone at the hospital and be connected to a person who speaks a language they
understand and then have information translate to officials at the hospital.
Community Benefit Activity
Through the work of dedicated volunteers who serve as member of the Board
Directors and the Advisory Council, BMHMC provides significant benefit to the
community. Board and Council members annual donate an estimated 4,300 hours of
service.
Annually, Brookhaven offers several events free of charge for the community. More
than 3,000 people attend the Family Fun Day that provides education and information
about healthy choices and lifestyle choice as well as amusement rides, games and
entertainment.
The Brookhaven Medical Lecture Series provides monthly lectures on a variety of
topics. The presenters are typically members of the BMHMC medical staff. The
lectures are free to the public.
BMHMC partners with the Spirit of Women hospital network to reach 85% of all
household healthcare decisions--women. As a Spirit of Women member, we provide
a customized package of programs and initiatives that focus on the power of women
to impact the hospital's overall bottom line. Spirit of Women is a national coalition of
hospitals and healthcare facilities in over 55 U.S. cities joined together to advance the
cause and business of women’s health.
By tailoring messages to women, BMHMC acknowledges the important role they
play in the overall health of our community and creates opportunities to support this
role. We encourage women to participate in free screenings for early diagnoses so
that they may maximize their health status and better care for their families. We
provide educational series so that women may become educated consumers of
healthcare, as well as learn about illnesses that may affect those around them. We also
coordinate events that bring women together to foster a support system. These events
are held throughout the year and bring together women of all ages with physicians,
other healthcare providers and pertinent community resources. Spirit of Women
events include:
• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) screening and lecture. PAD is a common
circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce the blood flow to your
limbs. This condition may reduce blood flow to the heart and brain, but can often
be
detected
by
a
simple
physical
exam.
(http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peripheral-arterial-disease)
• Day of Dance for Heart Health® is an interactive community event that brings
together consumers, health care providers, hospitals and corporate partners for an
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BMHMC 2013 Community Service Plan
educational celebration of the benefits of dance and exercise in the prevention of
heart disease, the number one killer of women. Physicians will provide
information and free screenings.
• Spirit Girls' Night Out brings together women as friends for an evening of fun,
excitement, and laughter. The emphasis is on health improvement to feel better
than ever before, both physically and emotionally. Topics to be covered include
What is Breast Cancer, Holistic Approach to Breast Cancer, Nutrition to prevent
Breast Cancer, and Advances in Treatments for Breast Cancer. The focus is on
wellness rather than disease.
• Get What You Want Out of Life a four part series beginning with Stand up for
Yourself Healthy Legs -Vascular Health lecture in October; New Year, New You –
Gastrointestinal problems in Women in December and two additional platforms
with topics depending on interest.
• Your Best Self Now is a lunch and learn event for 36-40 people, with support
from the United Breast Care Foundation. This dynamic series is geared for
women in their 40s, 50s and beyond.
The Diabetes Resource Coalition of Long Island http://longislanddiabetes.org/index.htm
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For more information about the programs and services offered by BMHMC,
please call 631.654.7708 or visit www.brookhavenhosptial.org.