Thomas Health is expanding services and is committed to improving health and wellness within the state of West Virginia and by making significant investments in services and technologies to promote positive change. While recent reports have highlighted negative healthcare trends within the state, it is important to recognize that many of the behaviors and healthcare issues driving these trends can be prevented.
A recent report by the publication 24/7 Wall Street, highlighted growing concerns regarding the health of West Virginians. Beckley, West Virginia in Raleigh County was named the unhealthiest city in the United States, as three other cities, Charleston (13), Weirton (20) and Huntington (22), made the list of 25. Weirton-Steubenville, Huntington-Ashland and Beckley had the three highest adult obesity rates in the country. More than 37.8% of the state’s adult (18+) population are smokers. Coupled with obesity, inactivity, heart disease and other health issues, these factors contribute to West Virginia being one of the unhealthiest states in the nation.
Saint Francis First Urgent Care & Wellness Center, which recently opened in downtown Charleston, helps individuals proactively identify steps to improve health, as well as addresses non-emergent health issues, lab work, health screenings, flu shots and minor illnesses and injuries. Response to the center’s accessible, economical services, as well as patient conveniences such as online visit appointment scheduling, have been overwhelmingly positive. Within the state of West Virginia, 60% of Emergency Room (ER) visits are for non-life threatening issues that could be appropriately handed in either an urgent care setting, such as Saint Francis First, or in a family practitioner’s office. This current dynamic is not providing health status assessments and subsequent improvements for many patients. It is also putting an incredible burden on all hospitals.
To improve access to care, Thomas Health is also significantly increasing its employer outreach and primary care network of physicians to better serve the community. Many individuals don’t realize that employers, Medicare and Medicaid all provide patients with a health status assessment and follow-up protocol with little or no charge involved, if, and only if, the patient will seek the care of a Primary Care Physician or Family Practice Physician on a regular basis.
Thomas Health recently announced a partnership with population health experts, Aegis Health Group, to strengthen relationships with local employers, businesses and local community organizations through an employer-directed population health strategy. This new initiative focuses on identifying health risks among workers and offering appropriate hospital-sponsored programs designed to promote better health and align the participants’ needs with available services. Aegis has nearly three decades of experience providing employer engagement, population health and physician relationship solutions to hundreds of hospitals and health systems across the country. Thomas Health’s commitment to enhance employer engagement, increase consumer awareness and grow its primary care network bring needed leadership to improving population health within the state.
Thomas Health has a history of serving the community for more than 100 years. Comprised of Thomas Memorial and Saint Francis Hospitals, the system’s reach extends state-wide through its nearly 2,000 employees and 450 physicians. Thomas Health is dedicated to providing quality healthcare choices for many years to come.
