Community Education and Prevention

$2,639,133

These activities include classes, screenings, health fairs, school health and publications like Healthy You

Community Health Education Publications - $801,017

Includes Healthy You, TV Choices, cancer brochures, heart brochures, trauma prevention brochures, and other community health education publications.

FY’05 expenditures, covering print and electronic production and community awareness, total $536,683 at LVH and $264,334 at LVH-M.

Pastoral Care - $515,337

Lehigh Valley Hospital

The Department of Pastoral Care offers ministry to the hospital’s patients, families and staff. Activities of the Department include:

• Administering a program in Clinical Pastoral Education that both performs ministry to the hospital and trains ministers in institutional pastoral work.
• Facilitating and supplementing the visitation ministry of community clergy.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with other hospital departments and staff.
• Developing and offering educational and support programs for clergy and lay groups that build relationships in the community.
• Provide a Catholic priest to serve the sacramental needs of Catholic patients.

Relationships with faith communities include verifying religious affiliation of Lehigh Valley Hospital patients, offering hospitality, and providing supplemental ministry to parishioners as needed.

Program costs in FY’05, net of Medicare reimbursement, were $397,718 for Lehigh Valley Hospital

Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg

The Department of Pastoral Care performs ministry to the Hospital’s patients, patients’ families and staff. Activities of the Department include:

• Providing supportive presence in crisis.
• Facilitating and supplementing the visitation ministry of community clergy.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with other hospital departments and staff.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with community clergy and other groups.
• Providing sacramental needs for patients as requested.
• Providing grief support programs for the community.
• Providing spirituality groups for the behavioral health clients.
• Relationships with faith communities include verifying religious affiliation of Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg patients, offering hospitality to clergy, and providing supplemental ministry to parishioners as needed.

Program costs in FY 2005 totaled $117,619.

Office of Community Health - $360,540

This section serves as the administrative and project development arm of the Community Health and Health Studies department. In addition to providing project oversight, the staff participates in community-based initiatives, coordinates departmental funding activities (including grant acquisition and management), and coordinates new project development and related activities. Office of Community Health expenses were $360,540 in FY’05.

School Health - $236,292

The School Health component of the Department of Community Health and Health Studies maintains two programs for the Allentown School District.

Through an agreement with the Allentown School District, the Central Elementary School Project seeks to detect, intervene and when possible, resolve health problems of the students at Central Elementary School. Hospital supported staff members, including a pediatric nurse/case manager, social worker, school health liaison and a project director/health educator, assist school district staff to improve child health and promote optimal educational potential of Central Elementary School’s 800 students. To further enhance this project, Hospital-funded pediatric nurse practitioners provide clinical services at Central School three half-days per week.

Lehigh Valley Hospital also funds the EAP (Employee Assistance Program) offered to the City of Allentown.

Total expenses for the School Health component for FY’05 were $236,292.

Physician Referral and Health Information Line - $187,392

LVHHN provides free phone-based health care services to the Lehigh Valley and surrounding communities. The health care information includes doctor and service referrals, class information, and general health information.

For FY’05, the service handled 135,791 calls, of which 62,464 were related to health care and were provided to the community without charge.

For FY’05, costs based on the annual net expenses of the department total $187,392.

John and Dorothy Morgan Cancer Center - $163,213

The John and Dorothy Morgan Cancer Center (JDMCC) provides a variety of support and education programs for patients, family members and the general public. These services and programs are offered free of charge. The service area includes Lehigh and Northampton counties, predominately, but services are provided in other areas as requested. Wages, benefits, and other expenses in support of these programs amounted to $163,213 in FY’05.

Patient Support and Education

• Support Groups: The support group series offered by the JDMCC includes a monthly Men Facing Cancer Discussion Group; Bereavement Group; and an Adolescent Support Group. In addition to providing space for the monthly meeting, JDMCC staff has served to provide educational support for the group. Members of the Cancer Support Team, and a certified Grief Therapist facilitate the support groups.
• Patient and Family Education Programs: Eight individualized orientation sessions were provided to newly diagnosed patients during FY05. The Bereavement Workshop, an 8 week program, was held in the Autumn and Spring of FY05. Community outreach is provided in the form of education at community health fairs and community lectures. A total of 30 health fairs were attended in FY05. The annual holiday celebration was held in December with KATO providing the entertainment.
• Patient Education Library: The JDMCC houses a dedicated Patient Education Library, which provides at no charge to the patient, access to current cancer related literature as well as one-to-one education with the Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist. Access to the library and education can occur on a self-referral basis. Free wigs and/or head coverings are also available. Additional educational materials are also available via the 402-CARE phone line.
• Nutritional Counseling: A registered dietitian is available to meet with patients and families to assess nutritional needs and determine appropriate nutritional goals and strategies during cancer treatment. In addition, a nutrition fair was held in April to provide patients and their families nutritional information, samples and recipes for high calorie, high protein foods, supplement samples, and a specific area for family members related to cancer prevention.
  
  Monthly education program with nutritional themes for healthy eating are provided at three locations, free recipes are made available to patients/families. These are offered for 11 months each year.
• Cancer Survivor Celebration: Cancer Support Services coordinated the Fifth Annual Cancer Survivor Celebration 2005. The event consisted of hor d’oeuvres and entertainment. Tammy Miller, Breast Cancer Survivor was the keynote speaker. Over 100 survivors and their family members attended.

Community Education and Screening Programs

• Cancer Resource for Schools: The JDMCC provides lectures on cancer-related topics to health classes in area school districts and also to various colleges. The topics for FY05 included: Skin Cancer Prevention, Overview of Chemotherapy, Care of the Oncology Patient, and General Oncology Overview.
• Community Cancer Resources: The JDMCC also provides lectures on cancer-related topics as requested by both the lay and professional communities. The topics for FY05 included: Common Questions and Answers About Skin Cancer, Nutrition’s Role in the Prevention of Cancer, Managing Fatigue Related to Cancer Therapy, Prostate Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, Breast Self-Exam, Prevention and Early Detection of Colon Cancer, Second-Hand Smoke: First-Hand Program, training for Support of Survivors volunteers, and lectures on various breast health topics.
• Skin Cancer Screening: Free examinations are provided during the annual skin screening. A total of eight dermatologists and 17 nursing/clerical staff volunteered for the skin screening held in FY05. This program is conducted in conjunction with the American Academy of Dermatology & Hospital’s Division of Dermatology.
• Prostate Cancer Screening: Free prostate cancer examinations were provided during the annual prostate cancer-screening program. This program is held in conjunction with the Prostate Education Council and the Allentown Health Bureau. Two staff urologists as well as 4 nursing/clerical staff volunteered for the two screening sessions.
• Cancer High Risk Assessment Program: LVHHN Cancer Risk Assessment Program multidisciplinary team includes a medical oncologist, genetics counselor, nurse educator and cancer and support services social worker. A detailed personal and family history is obtained and a personalized risk assessment is provided. Each participant will learn the significance of risk factors and find out the role of genetics in cancer risk. A personal plan of care is developed which may include surveillance and risk reduction.

Helwig Diabetes Center Education and Outreach Programs - $149,098

Inpatient Diabetes Management Services
The Helwig Diabetes Center RN staff provides inpatient diabetes education services to hospital patients and families, as well as to health professional staff, including physicians, nurses, dietitians, and other health care providers as needed. In FY’05, inpatient consults resulted in 884 patient/family counseling sessions or follow-up visits. The average length of an inpatient education session is 1 hour. None of the inpatient consult services are billed to the patient. Helwig staff supports patient care to improve patient outcomes. This service is provided at LVH-CC and 17th Street, and LVH-M and involves 60 hours per week of RN time.

The inpatient RN role is also responsible for coordination and provision of inservices, formal programs, protocol and standard development and monitoring, as well as performance improvements through the Diabetes Management Quality Council. Multiple hours of time are spent providing professional education to a wide range of LVH staff related to DM care. Approximately 400 professionals received formal education prepared and provided by our staff. Additionally, informal/impromptu education of staff in inpatient settings as well as in our primary care physician practices would likely entail 8-10 hours of time per week between inpatient and outpatient services.

Support Groups For Patients With Diabetes
The center facilitated/staffed several support groups, with approximately 890 persons attending in FY’05:

• Honey Bees Support Group for preschool children and families, with about 3 families attending 3 sessions.
• Sugar Free Kids Support Group for school age children and their families with 10 active families or about 35 persons attending 11 meetings or activities supervised by our staff.
• Pumper’s Support Group held bi-monthly with approximately 65 attendees per session – 6 sessions held.
• Type 2 Adult Diabetes Support Group with approximately 15 attendees at each of the 10 meetings in FY’05
• Brodheadsville Type 2 DM Support Group with approximately 9 attendees at the 2 meetings in FY’05

Approximately 130 hours of staff time was devoted to providing these sessions, some requiring both RN and RD presence.

Camp Red Jacket
Camp Red Jacket is an annual diabetes day camp for school age children with diabetes. It is a free three-day camp, supported in part by a grant from the Loretti Fund. It is held at Cedar Crest College with collaboration from the Allen Center for Clinical Nutrition, and is open to 40 children. In FY’05, 40 children attended. The camp is staffed and coordinated by RNs, RDs, and nurse practitioners to provide a safe environment for children with diabetes to be with others just like them. Staff organized and provided coverage for medical care, education, and supervision during the camp.

NovoNordisk Advisory Panel
The Center sends one RN, CDE to attend and participate in international meetings at this pharmaceutical company’s advisory board meeting. This meeting serves to improve insulin delivery devices for patients with diabetes.

Outside Presentations, Free Programs, and Community Outreach Related to Diabetes (Over 800 contacts with community members)

• “Diabetes in Schools” was presented by Helwig’s CRNP, RN AND RD, CDEs to 44 regional school nurses in October 2004.
• “Nutrition and Diabetes” was presented in an interactive health display at the Senior Health Fair in Bushkill Township – attended by approximately 200 persons on October 8, 2004.
• “Diabetes Awareness” and Panel Discussion presentation on live “web cast” in collaboration with the American Diabetes Association and Air Products. Attendance in room was approximately 30 employees, but this was also broadcast on an international web site where employees all over the world could tune in live or view on archived section of their web site.
• “Know Your Nutrition” – educational session offered twice at local supermarkets – only 6 attended.
• “New Technologies in Diabetes Management” – Free Community Event held at LVH-CC attended by about 200 persons, involved outside speaker, panel discussion by Helwig educators and a vendor/product display.
• “Diabetes in Schools” – one session held - attended by 5 families.
• “Coping with Diabetes” – held 2 times – total attendance 18 persons.
• “Medicare and Diabetes” – held 1 time- attendance 12.
• Health Fair – information sharing on DM and BG monitoring at a local church (8/04) – attended by 54 persons.
• Agere Health Fair in Bethlehem – attended by about 100 persons.
• American Diabetes Association Walk – Multiple staff participated in this event on hours outside of work (volunteer time) and coordinated a fundraiser event in the LVH lobby.
• Inservice on “Meal Planning for Diabetes” was provided at Country Meadows of Bethlehem.
• “Myths and Facts about Nutrition” – presented 2 times at LVH-M Fitness Center, 10 attendees.
• Social Worker Assistance – Helwig’s social worker provided about 20 hours of free counseling services for clients with special financial or social needs.
• Community Work with Allentown Health Bureau to help plan Chronic Disease Long Range Plan for the City of Allentown, and other projects.

Approximately 175 hours of professional staff time was devoted to preparing for and providing these programs/services.

The total estimated cost for LVH of providing all of these free programs and services in FY’05 is estimated at $ 118,070.

The total cost to LVH-M of providing all of these free programs and services in FY’05 is estimated to have been $31,028.

AIDS Activities Office - $85,414

Established in 1989, Lehigh Valley Hospital's AIDS Activities Office (AAO) provides clinical and social services to children, adolescents and adults infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. In FY’05, the AIDS Activities Office's active patients received one or more of the following services:

• HIV testing and counseling.
• Initial and ongoing medical care (including laboratory evaluation, coordination and referral to diagnostic and specialty service, and pharmaceutical treatment regimens) provided by a physician board certified in Infectious Diseases and specializing in HIV care.
• Coordination and monitoring of inpatient and outpatient clinical therapies and education provided by registered nurses certified in AIDS care.
• Nutritional assessments and interventions.
• Availability of local, and referral to, regional clinical trials.
• Social case management to insure coverage of basic and social service needs, including housing, employment, outpatient substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, etc.

Funded originally by the Dorothy Rider Pool Health Care Trust and Lehigh Valley Hospital, the AIDS Activities Office is currently primarily supported by the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Early Intervention Funding (Title III) from Ryan White Care Act (Human Resources and Services Administration) and AIDSNET (Ryan White Title III funding). Lehigh Valley Hospital's contribution to the operations of the AIDS Activities Office in FY’05 was $85,414.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention- $64,979

Dental Screenings and Give Kids A Smile Day
The Dental Clinic hygienists, dental assistants, and residents performed free dental exams for 97 children enrolled in Head Start of the Lehigh Valley, and 40 children at the Caring Place. They also conducted 4 on-site screenings in conjunction with the Easter Seal Society, and 4 off-site screenings for the Communities in Schools program. The Dental Clinic staff also performed 114 free procedures for children referred by the Allentown School District on Give Kids A Smile Day. The estimated cost of providing these services was $7,228.

Outpatient Pediatric Asthma Clinic
The Outpatient Pediatric Asthma Clinic is held weekly for four hours, with an additional four hour session if needed. It offers a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of asthma in the pediatric population with specific thrusts toward identification by the physician, education by the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), and monitoring by clinic staff. At the initial visit, an assessment is performed by a physician and an RN. The RRT performs an assessment of learning ability, some spirometric testing and education, and environmental learnings for the patient’s family. The patient is then followed as needed to control medication usage and monitor spirometry. The unreimbursed cost of providing this service is estimated at $4,958, which is almost entirely the wages and benefits of the RRTs.

LVH: In FY’05, Healthy You Programs provided services to thousands of community members and patients. These programs and services were provided in one-on-one treatments, group education, health fairs, large group screenings, and promotional events. The services focused on physical inactivity, unhealthy body weight, heart-risk identification, and self-care. The total cost of providing Healthy You Programs to the community, net of participant fees and outside funding, was $45,242.

LVH-M: In FY’05, thousands of community members and patients participated in one or more of the Healthy You Programs. These programs and services were provided in one-on-one treatments, group education, health fairs, large group screenings, and promotional events. The services focused on physical inactivity, unhealthy body weight, heart-risk identification, and self-care. The cost to LVH-Muhlenberg of providing Healthy You Programs to the community, net of participant fees and outside funding, was $6,001.

Materials to Promote Health-Related Activities - $50,041

Includes materials promoting a variety of activities including tobacco cessation, Spirit of Women, stroke awareness, cancer risk assessment, breast health awareness materials, support groups, and free lectures offered to the community.

• LVH: FY’05 expenditures to produce advertising, brochures, flyers, signs and other materials to support these activities total $37,625.
• LVH-M: FY 2005 expenditures to produce advertising, brochures, flyers, signs and other materials to support these events total $12,416.

Communities in Schools - $25,810

Communities in Schools of the Lehigh Valley, Inc., is a non-profit partnership supported by local businesses, human services, government and volunteers who strive to reduce the number of school dropouts. To support this program, Lehigh Valley Hospital provides classroom and office space on the 17th & Chew site campus, computers and supplies, and student meal vouchers. In addition, various Hospital departments have staff who act as preceptors for the students in the service learning component of the program. A hospital liaison provides administrative leadership.

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