Engaging the Community in Shaping Strategic Initiatives at SVHC
Working with Community Organizations — Southwestern Vermont Health Care is proud to work with a variety of local organizations who share our vision of healthier communities. We are active in the Southshire Substance Abuse Coalition, the Bennington County School to Workforce Partnership, and Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center. We also lead or participate in a wide range of support groups in our service area.
In addition, SVHC was instrumental in forming Healthy Community Partnerships in each of four sectors of our service area. We convened community members from the health care, social services, education, local government, and civic organizations and worked together to do periodic community needs assessments. These assessments included interviews, focus groups, household surveys, as well as a survey and synopsis of existing health data. The partnerships prioritize issues, develop projects, and pool resources and/or pursue grants to execute projects and initiatives to meet those identified community needs. While at one time we were the convener and de-facto chairs of these partnerships, they are now mature with their own leadership and SVHC acts as a supportive partner. Ongoing dialogue with these organizations continues to inform planning at SVHC.
Regional Advisory Boards (RABS) — SVHC recruited RABS with a two-fold purpose, to assist SVHC in fundraising and to be advisors on needs in their communities. The local community insight of these volunteer boards is critical to developing a healthcare system that meets the community’s needs.
Regular communication with identified opinion leaders — SVHC has compiled a roster of opinion leaders across our service area and engage in regular contact through a series of informational updates each year. Opinion leaders are encouraged to bring comments and concerns to our Community Relations staff and/or our Board of Trustees.
Public meetings — SVHC has periodically announced public meetings for the purpose of garnering input on community needs and/or its strategic plan. We will be scheduling town hall style meetings for mid to late summer 2011 to discuss the new strategic and master facility plans for SVHC.
Participation on local boards and civic groups — A number of SVHC’s leadership team participate on local economic and business development boards and civic clubs. While not a formal channel to our strategic planning process, knowledge of the community gained from this participation is brought to the planning table.
In 2011, we will launch a new channel for community members and SVHC to work together to build the health system of the future, The Patient & Family Advisory Council. This team of community members, physicians and operational leaders will help focus resources on the best opportunities to expand access, enhance patient safety and improve the patient experience. Consumers interested in learning about opportunities to participate in processes contributing to strategic planning and/or community needs assessment can do so by contacting Kevin Robinson, Communications Director, via the channels below.
Phone: 447-5003
Fax: 802-440-4031
E-mail: svhcweb@phin.org
Mailing : Kevin Robinson
Community Relations
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
100 Hospital Drive
Bennington, VT 05201
Early in 2011, a team of SVHC management and physician leaders completed a new strategic plan for the health system. Development of the plan considered healthcare utilization data, population demographics and a community survey. The bold plan that emerged strives to make SVHC one of the best rural healthcare delivery systems in the nation. The plan builds on our mission, vision and values and sets forth 7 strategic initiatives (see below). The strategic plan was crafted as a “living document”, allowing flexibility in these uncertain times of healthcare reform, yet the plan ensures a constant focus the needs of the community. The 7 strategies in the plan work together to transform the health system with the goals of enhancing the quality and safety of the care we deliver, enhance access and improve the patient experience while reducing the cost of care, improving efficiency and ensuring financial stability of SVHC.
SVHC’s Mission — SVHC exists to provide exceptional health care and comfort to the people we serve.
SVHC’s Vision — SVHC is recognized as a preeminent, rural, integrated health care system that provides exceptional, convenient, safe, and affordable care.
SVHC’s QuEST Values — Quality, Empathy, Safety, Teamwork
SVHC’s 7 strategies —
Strategy 1: Develop a partnership with an academic tertiary medical center
Strategy 5: Improve efficiency, effectiveness, and safety of the patient experience.
Strategy 6: Leverage information technology to improve the outcomes of care.
Strategy 7: Enhance community, regional, and state support for SVHC.
With communication with and support from the community, execution of these strategies will advance SVHC as one of the best healthcare systems in the nation.
Acting on Community Need
In 2004, SVMC commissioned Market Street Research to conduct a community needs assessment of its complete service area. This study included all parts of its service area and was designed to focus on both the general health and the specific health care needs of the populace SVMC serves. This study was updated in 2007. These community needs are common across Vermont and change little over time. Download the full 2004 Community Needs Assessment.
The study indicated needs in three key areas:
- Nutrition and Physical Activity
- Substance abuse (alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs)
- Chronic disease screening
The committee charged with strategic planning at SVHC continues to use this information as a touchstone for planning the health system's activity to meet community need.
Nutrition and Physical Activity: SVHC continues to support a variety of programs through our Wellness Connection to help people learn to cook healthier food, exercise more and generally live a healthier lifestyle.
Substance abuse: SVMC supports one of the strongest Tobacco Cessation programs in the state. In 2010, more than 1200 people were referred to us for service. Of that 1200, 380 people attended our classes to learn how to quit tobacco.
SVMC also partners with the community or the state to support the following programs to make our communities healthier:
- Flu Vaccine Clinics with the Vermont Department of Health
- AARP Safe Driving Courses
- Healthier Living with Chronic Conditions Workshops with the Vermont Blueprint
- Trek for Health with the Vermont Blueprint
- Health fairs and screenings
- CPR courses
- Exercise and fitness classes
The public may obtain a copy or summary of SVHC's strategic plan, its one- and four-year capital expenditure plans, and a depreciation schedule for existing facilities by contacting Marketing and Planning at 802-447-5190.
