Tower Health has completed and released its first systemwide Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) for 2019. These assessments, which will be done every three years, create an important opportunity to assess local needs and improve the health of communities served by Tower Health hospitals.
A key part of the CHNA process involved conducting internal and external research for each hospital service area. The research included focus groups, stakeholder interviews, community surveys, and key informant surveys. Based on the results of this process, Tower Health identified four health issues to address as priorities across its entire service region: obesity, mental health, addiction, and access to care.
"Community Health Needs Assessments are a critical step in advancing the health of the communities we serve," said Clint Matthews, President and CEO, Tower Health. "Working alongside community stakeholders, we use the CHNA data to develop strategies that address each of our local health priorities. These health improvement strategies will be made publicly available in November 2019."
As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, tax-exempt hospitals are required to complete a CHNA every three years. The 2019 report is Reading Hospital's third CHNA, with previous reports released in 2016 and 2013. Tower Health acquired Brandywine, Chestnut Hill, Jennersville, Phoenixville, and Pottstown Hospitals in late 2017, and this is the first CHNA conducted for those service areas by the hospitals.
Facilitated by Strategy Solutions, Inc., the CHNA reports follow best practices as outlined by the Association for Community Health Improvement, a division of the American Hospital Association, and ensure compliance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines.
We look forward to collaboratively working with each community to implement plans to address the identified needs.
About Tower Health
Tower Health is a strong, regional, integrated healthcare provider/payer system that offers leading-edge, compassionate healthcare and wellness services to a population of 2.5 million people. With approximately 14,000 team members, Tower Health consists of Reading Hospital in West Reading; Brandywine Hospital in Coatesville; Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia; Jennersville Hospital in West Grove; Phoenixville Hospital in Phoenixville; Pottstown Hospital in Pottstown; and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, a partnership of Tower Health and Drexel University in Philadelphia. It also includes Reading Hospital Rehabilitation at Wyomissing; Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences in West Reading; home healthcare services provided by Tower Health at Home; and a network of 22 urgent care facilities across the Tower Health service area. Tower Health offers a connected network of 2,200 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across more than 230 convenient locations. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.