Benton Franklin Community Health Alliance

Adopted and published the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment. Based on that, began the work of gathering community input to update the 2013 Community Health Improvement Plan. Drafted updated goals and tactics for the two existing strategic issues for the community: Obesity and Health Access. Began to address a third issue given community input: Mental/Behavioral Health.The Healthy Lifestyles Committee continued working on obesity and support for community gardens, physical activity, and nutrition. The Tri-City Herald published monthly articles written by members of the HLC on nutrition and pertinent health measures. HLC brought in community speakers to learn more about programs offered in the community that address nutrition breastfeeding, and physical activity.The Mental Health Committee participated in a housing assessment for the Mentally Ill and Homeless, and participated on a bi-county task force which identified gaps in services for the Tri-Cities. The Committee continued to monitor and participate in discussions regarding ways to fill gaps that have been identified.The Health Access Team continued to expand its knowledge and understanding of emerging health care resources in the community through guest presentations at its monthly meetings. These presentations and the follow-up discussions continued to inform the work of the Alliance and several subcommittees.The Oral Health Coalition put on its third Medical-Dental Summit, attended by an estimated 200 medical and dental practitioners from throughout the community. Topics focused on systemic & oral inflammation and the integration of medical and dental care related to heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. Working with the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, the Summit presented a course in Oral Oncology, which is a prerequisite for inclusion in the Cancer Center's Preferred Dental Program, a protocol for patients when their oncology provider determines a need for dental care prior to cancer treatments.The Tri-Cities Patient Safety Coalition continued its investigation of hospital readmission rates to understand why we have the highest 30-day re-hospitalizations per 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries by community in the state. This ongoing work will inform future tactics and partnerships to address the broader social issues that cause patients to return to the hospital within 30 days of discharge.Greater Columbia Accountable Community of Health continued under the umbrella of BFCHA in order to establish itself, and to build the infrastructure necessary to become its own independent non-profit organization. The organization met the criteria and benchmarks necessary to be designated by the Health Care Authority as "Accountable and formed five priority issue workgroups: obesity/diabetes, behavioral health, healthy youth & equitable communities, oral health and care coordination.The Alliance Consistent Care Program matured under the umbrella of the BFCHA, and was able to establish itself as a separate non-profit entity by year's end. Consistent Care's continued success illustrates the value of the Benton-Franklin Health Alliance in supporting and nurturing new and innovative approaches to improving community health. Consistent Care initiated a pilot study on the value of nursing intervention for Medicare and Medicaid patients who are discharged from the hospital to various other settings including home, skilled nursing, or assisted living. Results are expected in 2017.