Fletcher Allen is Vermont's university medical center. Located in Burlington, Vermont, Fletcher Allen is a 500-bed tertiary care center and teaching hospital in alliance with the University of Vermont.
Strategic Initiatives
Strategic Initiatives and Process for Public Participation
- STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
- OPENNESS AND COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES
- STRATEGIC PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING
- ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
- COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
PRISM (Patient Record & Information Systems Management): Fletcher Allen's
Electronic Health Record
The PRISM project will connect virtually every
key function in the organization and will improve the quality and safety of the
care we provide. By early June 2009, PRISM will go live in our inpatient areas,
pharmacy, Walk-In
Care Center,
Emergency Department and some hospital outpatient departments. Also at that
time, all non-credentialed, referring providers will have free access to
PRISMlink, a read-only version of our electronic health record that will allow
them to view the charts of their patients who have come to Fletcher Allen for
care.
By the end of 2009, the first ambulatory care clinic, medical oncology system, data warehouse and MyChart, a secure, web-based patient portal will be live. By the end of 2010, the remainder of our ambulatory areas and patient scheduling features will also be live, marking the final phase of PRISM's implementation. Another effort currently underway is PRISM Regional, which encourages community hospitals in Vermont and northern New York to purchase PRISM software at a reduced cost.
Reducing Nosocomial Infections
Reducing health care-associated
infections is a goal at hospitals nationwide. At Fletcher Allen, we have had
great success in decreasing our infection rates. In the months ahead, efforts
will continue to build on this success, with the goal of preventing infection
from occurring. Key objectives in this initiative include:
- Building systems that more efficiently share our monitoring efforts with clinicians and leadership
- Enhancing resident training
- Improving the efforts of Environmental Services
- Training selected medical and surgical nurses to develop specialized infection prevention projects within their units
- Educating employees about basic infection prevention, such as good hand-hygiene, also will continue to be a focus throughout 2009.
Becoming One
In January, 2009, Fletcher Allen introduced Becoming One
to more than 2,800 employees, physicians and volunteers at 170 open sessions
held across Fletcher Allen campuses. Becoming One will help our physicians,
nurses and staff work together to provide a seamless patient care experience. This year,
we will be working to Become One in a number of ways. Last fall, more than 40
operational improvements that will enhance the way our patients experience the
care we provide were identified. Some of the improvements identified were
implemented immediately. For example, we have made changes in the Emergency
Department to give patients the ability to make long-distance phone calls to
their family members whenever necessary. Efforts to make the rest of these
improvements will continue throughout the year. In addition, the organization’s
Employee Recognition Program now includes four new awards for employees who go
above and beyond for our patients and their families.
Patient Access to Clinics
The Faculty Practice – a group of
physicians who work at Fletcher Allen and are on the faculty at the University
of Vermont -- has been working to ensure timely patient access to clinics,
making it easier for patients to get the care they need and for community
providers to refer their patients. Plans include developing pilot programs to
allow for direct scheduling from the Walk-In
Care Center
and other primary care sites into specialty clinics, such as Orthopedics.
Plans are in the works for similar pilot programs in Dermatology and Endocrinology.
Efforts are underway to reduce patient backlog for appointments. Over the last
two years, only half of our specialty clinics have met the standard of patients
being seen within 14 days. Our goal is to increase that rate to 75%.
CTSA Award
In October 2008, Fletcher Allen and the University of Vermont submitted an application for a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The CTSA is a prestigious and innovative program that seeks to transform the way academic medical centers approach clinical and translational research and to promote an integrated academic home for this type of research. This award is intended to help speed research from the lab to the bedside, and from the bedside to the community. We were not selected to receive funding this year. We will resubmit a revised application in October 2009. Leadership is firmly committed to continuing the application process.
Stroke Prevention and Care
The Fletcher Allen Stroke Program has been
examining the full range of care we provide to stroke patients. Initial work
for 2009 will focus on creating a program to immediately evaluate patients who
suffer transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), which are often the first warning
symptoms for stroke. The goal is to reduce these patients’ risk factors for
stroke, and to prevent a stroke from occurring. Work is also underway to
develop a Regional Telestroke Program -- an extension of the Telemedicine
Program -- which will allow our specialists to confer with regional providers
in diagnosing stroke and recommending treatment. Additional efforts will
include stroke education for patients and providers and, eventually,
development of clinical and translational research projects in stroke. These
efforts will build on the stroke program’s recent Joint Commission
certification and American Heart Association recognition.
Delivery of Cardiovascular Care
Cardiology is introducing two
programs to improve the delivery of cardiovascular care. The goal of the first
program – the Myocardial Infarction (MI) Program – is to collaborate with
regional community hospitals and physicians to advance care through research
and create a nationally recognized network for the care of Acute Myocardial
Infarction patients. One area of focus is the rapid assessment and treatment of
STEMI (ST-elevated Myocardial Infarction) patients, who require aggressive
intervention to open blocked arteries in their heart within 90 minutes. The
second program aims to optimize treatment of heart failure (HF), an
increasingly common occurrence in our aging population. Like the MI program,
this program focuses on developing a network that advances care through
research and ensures that every patient in our region receives treatment shown
to improve the quality of life.
Payer Negotiations
In the summer of 2008, the Fletcher Allen
Board of Trustees adopted a strategy for contract negotiations with commercial
payers that is based on the principle of “even playing field” reimbursement
among payers who handle approximately the same volume of business in our
market. Consistent with this strategy, Fletcher Allen is standardizing
reimbursement among similar commercial payers, with the goal of standardizing
our pricing and discounts and promoting fair market competition. Two of our
major contracts have been successfully negotiated in this fashion and we will
use this approach in all future contract negotiations.
Affiliate and Regional
Hospital Relations and
Business Development
As we continue to develop a coordinated health
system, we are often asked to make our specialty providers accessible to community hospitals in the region. This helps area hospitals keep
primary and secondary care in their communities while allowing Fletcher Allen
to provide tertiary care. Another benefit to this approach is that, by working
with our partners to establish a network of high-quality care throughout Vermont, we keep health
care dollars in the state.
Medical Home Model
The Medical Home Model is a key component of
Vermont’s
Blueprint for Health. Aesculapius Medical Center (Primary Care Internal
Medicine) – a Fletcher Allen Primary Care Internal Medicine practice and the
largest primary care practice in the state -- has been designated a Medical
Home, which means that it provides and coordinates care for patients who are
either at risk for or who have a chronic disease. Aesculapius is one of the
state’s three pilot sites for this program.
OPENNESS AND COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES
Employee Communication
Employee Advisory Committee
Fletcher Allen’s 20-member Employee Advisory Committee encourages employee
input on workplace issues. This committee discusses issues that directly impact employee satisfaction, with the goal of enhancing communication between
senior leadership and employees. In 2009, the committee is focusing on
furthering Fletcher Allen’s efforts to Become One for our patients,
streamlining the patient care experience as we work to provide our patients and
families with the highest quality health care.
Employee Opinion Survey
In the fall of 2009, Fletcher Allen employees will participate in their third
employee opinion survey to measure overall general employee satisfaction and
employees’ perceptions of specific aspects of the organization’s culture.
Previous surveys were held in 2004 and 2006, and a shorter “pulse” survey was
conducted in 2007. Results of the 2009 survey will be shared with all
departments as we continue to work to improve employee satisfaction.
“Good Catch Award” to Encourage Employee Participation in Patient Safety
Initiatives
In January 2008, Fletcher Allen launched an upgraded event reporting system
that offers a more efficient, in-depth approach to reporting patient safety and
quality issues. In an effort to develop a more proactive focus and encourage a
positive safety culture, the Patient Safety Department introduced the “Good
Catch” program to encourage, support, and reward the identification and
reporting of “near miss” events.
Each month, the Patient Safety department chooses one or two event reports that
meet specific criteria, including: identifies a significant systems or
patient safety issue; is a “near miss” or potential event; identifies an issue
that crosses more than one department; and that is reported by a staff member,
not management. The employee who reported the event is recognized with the
“Good Catch” award for the month.
"Just Ask" Program
In 2003, Fletcher Allen implemented a "Just Ask" program. Through
this program, employees can ask questions or offer comments to senior management
at Fletcher Allen and receive responses in a "Just Ask" newsletter
published by the Human Resources Department. Employees submit their questions
through email, or in drop-boxes at different locations throughout the
organization.
Senior Leader Rounds
Melinda L. Estes, M.D., President and CEO, regularly visits with employees in
different parts of the organization throughout the year. Sometimes during these
visits, Dr. Estes tours the area and meets staff. Other tours are town
meeting-style, with Dr. Estes answering employees’ questions on a range of
issues.
Other Openness Initiatives
“Call Someone Now” Service for Patients and Families
In May of 2009, Fletcher Allen began offering inpatients and families the “Call
Someone Now” Service, a direct line to call for urgent help during the hospital
stay. This new service marks an important step in Fletcher Allen’s ongoing
efforts to enhance the support and communication we offer our patients, as we
comply with the National Patient Safety Goals. The “Call Someone Now” service
brings a designated team to the patient’s bedside when there is an urgent need
for help. Patients and family members may call One-NOW (1669) when the patient
and/or family member sees a noticeable change in the patient’s medical condition,
and the health care team is not available to address these urgent concerns. The
call is immediately answered and a dedicated ONE-NOW response team is sent to
the bedside.
Plan for Improving Institutional Communication and Openness
Fletcher Allen adopted a plan for improving institutional communication and
openness in 2004, in response to one of the conditions of the Renaissance
Project Certificate of Need (CON) approval, which was issued in November 2003.
The goal of this plan is to improve Fletcher Allen's communication process, and
to ensure increased transparency and inclusiveness in our operations and
decision-making. For more information, call the Office of the General Counsel
at (802) 847-3968.
Public Reporting of Quality Data
In February 2006, as part of its commitment to service excellence, Fletcher
Allen launched a new Quality of Care section on its public Web site, providing
detailed information about how it performs on quality of care measures. The Web
site includes measures that are publicly available in Fletcher Allen’s Act 53
Quality Report, as well as additional quality measures for birthing,
cardiology, general surgery, heart surgery, obstetrics and gynecology,
orthopedics, neurology, pneumonia care, pediatrics at Vermont Children's Hospital
and nursing. Each section includes data on clinical information, length of
stay, patient satisfaction, and numbers of cases seen (volume). To visit the
site, go to: http://www.FletcherAllen.org/Quality/index.html
Public Reporting of Financial Data
Fletcher Allen began making its quarterly financial information public with the
release of the first quarter results for FY 2003 in February, 2003. The audited
financial statements for the years ending September 30, 2007 and 2008, as well
as the quarterly results for FY 2003 through the fourth quarter of FY 2008 are
published on the Fletcher Allen Web site. To visit the site, go to: http://www.fletcherallen.org/AboutFAHC/Financials/financial_info.html.
“Speak Up” Campaign
In 2007, Fletcher Allen participated in a nationwide campaign called “Speak Up”
that encourages patients to be active participants in their health care and
help improve the safety of their care. The campaign urges patients to take a
role in preventing health care errors by becoming active, involved and informed
participants in their care. For more information, call the James J. Jeffords Institute for Quality and Operational Effectiveness, (802)847-2468.
STRATEGIC PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING
Fletcher Allen’s Strategic Plan
In 2006, building on the many strides the organization made over the previous
several years, Fletcher Allen initiated a new strategic planning process
looking out to the year 2010 and beyond. This process was based on a vision
articulated by Melinda L. Estes, M.D, President and Chief Executive Officer: to
become a national model for the delivery of high-quality academic health care
for a rural region.
The process included input from all levels of Fletcher Allen’s leadership, as
well as the focused attention of the senior executive team and the
organization’s Board of Trustees. It is based on the principles of the Balanced
Scorecard, an approach to strategic management developed by professors at the Harvard Business School
designed to help organizations clarify their vision and strategy and translate
them into action. Using the scorecard as a guide, Fletcher Allen’s administrative
and clinical leaders developed a strategy management system and strategy map
that serves to inform all staff and employees about the organization’s
strategic objectives. This system allows the organization to clearly articulate
its vision and strategy, measure progress towards reaching its goals, allocate
resources to critical projects and initiatives, and ensure that all areas of
the organization are aligned and working together in support of the strategy.
During 2008, the organization’s strategy map was updated to reflect ongoing efforts to achieve our vision. Progress on specific strategic initiatives is reviewed by senior leadership each month. In addition, a Strategy Management Committee reviews our progress on our strategic initiatives each quarter and meets annually to develop and prioritize new strategic initiatives for the following fiscal year. For more information, contact Diana Scalise, vice president of Planning and Business Development, at (802) 847-3964.
Regional Planning Efforts
Fletcher Allen, in partnership with the Champlain Initiative, the Regional
Planning Commission, and the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation (GBIC),
is participating in an interdisciplinary planning effort designed to build
connections among planning efforts at organizations in different fields
throughout the region. For more information about this effort, contact Diana
Scalise, vice president of Planning and Business Development, at (802)
847-3964.
The Mental Health Program Quality Committee
This committee, originally established as a subcommittee of the Mental Health
Task Force, meets monthly and is open to the public. It includes
representatives of a broad range of mental health advocacy groups,
representatives of the Vermont
Division of Mental Health Services, members of the public, health care
providers, and consumer and family members. For more information, contact Sarah
Sterling at (802) 847-2124.
Understanding Community Health Care Needs
In 2007, as part of its strategic plan, Fletcher Allen convened an internal
group to look at how it allocates Community Benefits with the goal of better
aligning community support with strategic goals and unmet needs in the
community. Since that time, the group has grown to include representatives from
senior leadership, Community Health Improvement, planning and strategic
management, budget, Emergency Department, the James M. Jeffords Institute for
Quality and Operational Effectiveness, government relations, case management, and
the medical group. To date the group has collected all Fletcher Allen's
community benefit activities into a single list which includes all efforts by
Fletcher Allen staff as well as all community-based programs which receive our
financial support. The group will assess this list against Fletcher Allen's
strategic priorities, and capture this and future goals in a three-year
strategic "Community Benefits Plan" during the coming winter.
Ward 1 Parking and Traffic Task Force
In 1999, as part of a Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement between the
City of Burlington and Fletcher Allen, Fletcher Allen established a task force
to address parking and traffic related to the construction of Fletcher Allen's
Ambulatory Care Center. The task force continues today and has remained active.
It consists of representatives from the Ward 1 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
and Fletcher Allen. The work of the task force guides Fletcher Allen's
strategic planning and decision-making concerning parking and traffic, as well as
planning, zoning and permitting issues on the Medical Center
Campus.
Vermont Children's Hospital Community Advisory Council
The Vermont Children's Hospital Community Advisory Council is a group of
representatives from non-profits, businesses, the education sector, social
services, children's services, state agencies and the Vermont Legislature,
along with parents in the community and physicians, nurses and staff from the
Vermont Children's Hospital at Fletcher Allen. The group began meeting in
January 2004 and meets on a quarterly basis. Council members are asked to serve
as consultants in the strategic planning of new initiatives for Vermont
Children's Hospital; to provide input from the community so the Vermont
Children's Hospital is meeting the needs of those it serves; to review the
progress of ongoing clinical, educational, research and financial developments
that are designed to improve care to children in the community; and to be
ambassadors on an ongoing basis for the work of Vermont Children's Hospital by
helping to define our goals and objectives for each fiscal/academic year.
Elder Care Council
In September 2003, Fletcher Allen formed a Community Elder Care Council
composed of 15 representatives from local non-profit agencies, the state of Vermont
Agency on Disability, Aging and Independent Living, researchers from the University of Vermont, a primary care physician, and
the community at large, in addition to four staff members from Fletcher Allen's
Elder Care Services. The council works with Elder Care Services to help
prioritize elder care issues in the community and state, and develop strategies
to address them. The council meets quarterly.
Collaboration with Other Hospitals, Health Systems and Agencies
Fletcher Allen is actively engaged with hospitals, health systems and agencies
in Vermont, as well as in areas of New York and New
Hampshire, to ensure that its strategic plan responds
to the needs of people in outlying communities as appropriately as possible. It
is also engaged in collaborative efforts to improve health care services and
technology throughout the state. Examples of these efforts include:
- Establishment of outreach clinics throughout Vermont and northern New York to ensure access to specialty services in local communities as appropriate and requested. Fletcher Allen's health care professionals are currently involved in more than 100 outreach programs, clinics or services. Examples of such services include clinics in cardiology, neurosurgery, pediatric surgery, rheumatology, otolaryngology, dermatology, endocrinology, perinatal outreach and teletrauma and radiology services. In addition, Fletcher Allen specialists work with local community hospitals and physicians to help them start up and provide programs that benefit the people of their community.
- Laboratory Outreach Services. Fletcher Allen’s laboratory has had an extensive outreach program for more than 25 years and currently serves as the reference laboratory for all of the hospitals in Vermont. In addition, Fletcher Allen is a founding member and serves as the reference laboratory for the Northeast Clinical Laboratory Alliance (NECLA) – a group of hospitals in Vermont. NECLA was formed in 1996.
- Ensuring appropriate access to critical care transport services through Fletcher Allen Coordinated Transport (FACT), a wholly-owned subsidiary that owns and operates ambulances in Vermont and northern New York. FACT is based in Burlington, and also has an ambulance stationed in Malone, N.Y. to ensure appropriate access to this service for people in that region.
- Participation in the
Governor's Chronic Care Initiative. Fletcher Allen and the University of
Vermont College of Medicine work closely with the Vermont Department of
Health on the Vermont Blueprint for Health, a public-private partnership
charged with designing and implementing the chronic care model for health
care in order to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. As part of this
work, teams have been formed at several Fletcher Allen Primary Care
Internal Medicine and Family Medicine practice sites to bring together
physicians, nurses and staff in a collaborative effort to achieve the
goals of the Blueprint. The focus of the work has been on Clinical
Microsystems -- including improved message handling, prescription refills,
scheduling and patient flow -- and on diabetes care, with a focus on
self-management, goal-setting, management of lipids and diabetic renal
disease. Fletcher Allen has received a Blueprint grant for Phase 2 of the
Blueprint project.
In July 2008, Fletcher Allen's Primary Care Internal Medicine Aesculapius practice in South Burlington and the community practice of Dr. Eugene Moore in Burlington initiated a pilot project to develop "patient-centered medical homes" for patients with chronic medical conditions. The providers employ an electronic tool, DocSite, to, among other things, employ chronic condition-specific "visit planners." Their work is further enhanced by the skills and knowledge of a multi-disciplinary "Community Care Team" which works directly with patients on preventable risk factors and living more healthfully with chronic conditions.
- Participation in the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care. VPQHC is a private, non-profit corporation focused on statewide health care quality initiatives. Fletcher Allen's vice president for Quality serves on its board of directors, and numerous Fletcher Allen physicians and nurses actively participate on VPQHC projects.
- Collaborating with the state of Vermont on the creation of a new approach to psychiatric care to replace the Vermont State Hospital. Fletcher Allen, as the state’s academic medical center, has been a key participant in this ongoing dialogue. Robert Pierattini, M.D., physician leader of Psychiatry at Fletcher Allen, represented Fletcher Allen’s Psychiatry Service in these discussions, and served on The Futures Advisory Committee, a group of Vermont citizens and mental health professionals that studied redesigning the state’s mental health system.
- The Fletcher Allen
Workforce Development Institute was created in partnership with Vermont HITEC to
help address critical workforce development needs by training unemployed
and underemployed Vermonters.
Fletcher Allen and Vermont HITEC developed their partnership in 2004 with funding assistance from both the State of Vermont and the U.S. Department of Labor. The first Vermont HITEC training session was conducted over an eight-month period in an intensive training program for 20 medical transcriptionists. This work-at-home program was followed by the launching of a more formal health care workforce development training institute developed with the support of a $325,000 federal grant secured by Senator Patrick Leahy. The federal funding allowed for the implementation of the workforce institute and associated programs. Senator Leahy has since secured another $588,000 to support additional training programs.
In 2007, the Fletcher Allen Workforce Development Institute trained practice support specialists and registration representatives. In 2008, the institute launched a training program for medical coders. In 2009, the institute implemented a training program for phlebotomists, with 10 phlebotomists graduating in May of 2009. To date, a total of 58 Vermonters have been trained and offered positions at Fletcher Allen as a result of these programs.
- Collaborating with the
state of Vermont and Vermont hospitals and health care
organizations to promote the use of health information technology and
develop a statewide information technology plan. In November, 2004, a
501(c) (3) organization, Vermont
Information Technology Leaders, or VITL, was formed to oversee this
effort. Chief Information Officer Chuck Podesta serves on the VITL board,
and employees from Fletcher Allen’s Information Services are actively
involved with the project. VITL delivered the Vermont
Health Information Technology Plan to the Vermont General Assembly in July, 2007.
The plan was developed with assistance from Fletcher Allen staff
participating in the project. Fletcher Allen has collaborated with VITL as
it has developed its Electronic Health Record project, PRISM -- and will
continue to collaborate with VITL as PRISM is implemented, as well as
working with VITL on future projects involving health care data exchange.
- Active participation in the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS), a statewide network of health systems that promotes collaboration among health care organizations, and works to influence political, economic, social and regulatory issues facing health care providers in the state – with the goal of improving the delivery of health care to Vermonters.
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Meetings
Board of Trustees Meetings
The Board holds bi-monthly, full board meetings that include a public session,
in which the public is given an opportunity for comment on matters relating to
Fletcher Allen's operations. All business that involves neither confidential
nor proprietary information is conducted in the public sessions of these
meetings. During alternate months, the board holds more limited meetings that
focus either on board education or medical credentialing. The board's
educational meetings also include a public session but the medical
credentialing meetings, conducted by conference phone calls, do not.
Volunteering
Volunteer Opportunities
There are numerous opportunities to volunteer at Fletcher Allen through our
Volunteer Services Department. More than 750 active volunteers provide
supplemental services that contribute to patient care. Members of the public
can volunteer by providing services and programs for patients, or by providing
many other types of behind-the-scenes support. Volunteer opportunities include
many roles:
- Information/Reception Desk
- Patient Guide Program
- Hospital Elder Life Program
- Emergency Department
- Liaison to Families in the Surgical Waiting Room, in the Emergency Department, Surgical and Medical Intensive Care Unit Waiting Rooms, Ronald McDonald Family Room and the Taylor Hospitality Room
- Library / Community Health Resource Center
- Clerical support
- "Art from the Heart" Program which provides art activities for children at the Vermont Children's Hospital
- Flower Delivery / Book Cart
- Gift shops / Replays (re-sale shop)
- FAVORS (Fletcher Allen Volunteers Offer Room Service) Program
- Footnoter's Program
More information about these and other volunteer opportunities, including how
to apply to become a volunteer, are available through Fletcher Allen's Web site, by clicking here. In addition, the Fletcher Allen Junior Volunteer Program is
available to high school students in the summer. Applications for the summer
program are available March 1st. For more information, call the Volunteer
Services Department at (802) 847-3536.
Health Education
Frymoyer Community Health Resource Center
The Frymoyer Community
Health Resource Center, located in the Main Lobby of the Ambulatory Care Center
on Fletcher Allen's Medical Center Campus, is a health library and resource
center providing free service for patients and families and members of the
public. Services provided include Internet access, books, magazines,
periodicals, and experienced staff to assist with computer searches and other resources.
It is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
Fridays. The center can be reached by calling (802) 847-8821 or by email: resourcecenter@vtmednet.org
Dana Medical Library
Located in the new Medical
Education Center,
the University of
Vermont’s Dana Medical
Library is a resource for students, faculty, clinical staff and community
members. Patrons keep up-to-date on the latest research with a new journal
browsing area and cutting-edge electronic resources. Professional health
science librarians are available to support research endeavors. The library can
be reached at (802) 656-2201, or http://library.uvm.edu/dana.
Community Medical
School
Community
Medical School
is a series of free medical lectures by Fletcher Allen/University of Vermont physicians and
researchers - held two semesters a year. The series provides information on the
latest science and research in the field of medicine, and is told in an
easy-to-understand format. It is extremely popular and regularly draws 150 to
200 people per session. Call (802) 847-2886 for more information, or visit www.med.uvm.edu/cms.
The Healthsource Community Education Series
A twice-yearly series of free and
low-cost health education classes, including classes such as Baby Care Basics,
CPR, Living with Epilepsy, Accessing Health Information on the Internet, Senior
Swim, T'ai Chi, Heart Healthy Living, Diabetes Fitness Class in partnership
with the YMCA, Financial Health, Acupuncture and Tobacco Cessation, and many
more. For more information, call the Office of Community Health Improvement at
(802) 847-2278, or visit http://www.fletcherallen.org/general_public/classes_events.html
The Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU) Summer Lecture Series The
Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit offers an annual Summer Lecture Series free
to the public. For more information about this series, call Sally Ross Nolan at
(802) 847-9488, or visit www.uvm.edu/~cnru.
Eleanor B. Daniels Lecture Series
The Eleanor B. Daniels Fund was created in
honor of Eleanor Daniels, a beloved artist, mother and teacher. Its mission is
to support women's health education, research and development efforts for
gynecologic malignancies and other women's health topics. The Division of
Gynecologic Oncology at Fletcher Allen provides free educational programs for
the public each fall and spring, sponsored by the Eleanor B. Daniels Fund. For
more information, call (802) 847-3919 or visit www.ebdfund.org.
Vermont Children's Hospital at Fletcher Allen Programs
The Vermont
Children's Hospital at Fletcher Allen, a full-service hospital within a
hospital, shares health information with children and families, and sponsors
fun activities for kids at public events throughout the year. Monty the Moose,
the mascot of Vermont Children's Hospital, also attends many public events to
meet and greet children and parents. For more information about Vermont Children's Hospital activities, contact Sue
Victory, program manager, Vermont
Children's Hospital, at (802) 656-3243 or by email: susan.victory@uvm.edu.
Other Programs and Conferences
Fletcher Allen participates in and sponsors a
wide range of educational conferences and health and safety awareness programs
throughout the area. In addition, Fletcher Allen sponsors community events,
which in the past year included special events held by health-related
organizations, such as the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women
Luncheon, the MS Dinner of Champions, the Vermont
City Marathon,
and many others. For more information, contact the Office of Marketing and
Communications at (802) 847-2886.
Radio and Television Programs
Fletcher Allen sponsors health education and
information programs on local television and radio stations on a regular basis.
These programs include:
- Healthsource - a bi-weekly consumer health information radio program that airs every other Sunday at 7:15 a.m. on WIZN/WBTZ, 8:15 a.m. on WJOY 1230 AM, and at 9:15 a.m. on WOKO 98.9 FM or WKOL 105 FM.
- First with Kids - a weekly program featuring Vermont Children's Hospital Chief of Pediatrics Lewis First, M.D.,that airs on WCAX Channel 3 and on WOKO 98.9 FM, and is published in weekly newspapers throughout Chittenden County. The show airs on Channel 3 at 5:45 a.m. Mondays, and 6:30 a.m. Wednesdays. It airs on WOKO at 7:50 a.m. Tuesdays, 11:50 a.m. Thursdays, and 11:50 a.m. Sundays.
- Public Service Announcements – Fletcher Allen occasionally produces public service announcements on health-related topics. These are aired on local television stations.
For more information about these programs, contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at (802) 847-2886, or visit Fletcher Allen's Web site: www.FletcherAllen.org.
Fletcher Allen Web Site
In the summer of 2009, the Fletcher Allen
public Web site will feature a fresh look and enhanced content. There will be
many enhancements to the site, including a contemporary design and a more
user-friendly format. The site will be organized in a patient-friendly way,
making it easier for our patients and families to find the information they are
seeking. The site will also offer easily accessible community information such
as support groups, a calendar listing of Fletcher Allen classes and events, and
links to health information. To learn more, visit www.FletcherAllen.org.
FREE AND LOW-COST HEALTH AND WELLNESS CARE
Fletcher Allen offers free and low-cost health screenings and prevention and
wellness programs to the public on a regular basis. These include:
Screenings and Community Health Care*
- Free monthly blood pressure screenings
- Cholesterol screenings, $18-$21, held periodically
- Free foot care for seniors and people with disabilities through the "Footnoters" program
- Women's health screenings
*NOTE: Some of these screenings are held annually; others are offered
periodically.
Memory Screenings
The Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit offers free memory
screenings to the community on "Memory Mondays" which occur on the
1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. The unit also provides memory screening over
the phone. For more information, call Sally Ross Nolan at (802) 847-9488, or
visit www.uvm.edu/~cnru
“Meet the Midwife” Classes
The Claire M. Lintilhac Nurse Midwifery Service at
Fletcher Allen offers breastfeeding classes and monthly “Meet the Midwife”
sessions that are open to the public. The breastfeeding classes are held at the
Nurse Midwifery Service’s Williston office, 353 Blair Park Road in Williston. The
“Meet the Midwife” sessions alternate between the Williston site and the
Midwifery Service’s Burlington location, at the
Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic in the Ambulatory
Care Center
at Fletcher Allen. For more information, call (802) 847-2237 or (802) 847-1245.
Get Moving Champlain Valley
Fletcher Allen and its partners, the Champlain
Initiative, the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and
the Vermont Department of Health, collaborate to bring free or low-cost
physical activity opportunities to the community. Activities feature a wide
variety of opportunities including discounted health club memberships, free
Parks and Recreation activities, walking maps, activity logs, and other
information and tools (pedometers) to increase physical activity and enhance
personal health. The activities calendar is published quarterly and is
distributed by email and can also be accessed on the Fletcher Allen or United Way Web
sites or by e-mailing Wellness at wellness@vtmednet.org. See also
http://www.unitedwaycc.org/gmcalendar.htm or http://www.fletcherallen.org/community_resources/chi/
Health Assistance Program
Fletcher Allen’s Health Assistance Program helps
patients get access to medical care, medications and insurance programs for
free or reduced cost. It also provides education about prevention and
assistance with other community services such as transportation. To reach the
Health Assistance Program, call (802) 847-6984.
Employer Health Management
Through its Employer Health Management program,
Fletcher Allen offers wellness services for large and small businesses
throughout Vermont.
The program is designed to help businesses plan effective, targeted programs
for employees and dependents which result in measurable financial and health
outcomes. For more information, call Community Health Improvement at (802)
847-2278.
Tobacco Cessation
Fletcher Allen's Community Health Improvement offers
ongoing classes, workshops, and one-on-one counseling in tobacco cessation. For
more information about tobacco cessation classes, call Community Health
Improvement at (802) 847-2278.
Falls and Fires Program
This program educates elderly and disabled residents
about the risk of falls and fires in their homes, and helps prevent these
events. It provides home modifications for people who are financially eligible.
For more information, call Community Health Improvement at (802) 847-2278.
Diabetes Fitness Program
This program, provided in partnership with the YMCA,
gives adults with diabetes the chance to exercise three times a week at no
charge, as well as providing one-on-one counseling and education about diabetes
self-management. For more information, call Community Health Improvement at
(802) 847-2278.
Lifeline
Lifeline is a personal response system that ensures older adults
living at home get quick assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Members of
the public can subscribe to Lifeline through Fletcher Allen. Fletcher Allen
volunteers install and maintain the Lifeline systems in residents' homes. For
more information, call Community Health Improvement at (802) 847-1211.
Support Groups
Fletcher Allen facilitates a large number of support groups
for patients and families. For more information, call the Frymoyer Community
Health Resource
Center at (802) 847-8821.
You can also see a complete listing of support groups at the Fletcher Allen Web
site.
For more information about these or other programs, contact Community Health
Improvement at (802) 847-2278.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Community Surveys
As part of our Vermont Blueprint for Health
grant and collaboration with the Greater Burlington
YMCA and others, Fletcher Allen participates in routine community assessments.
Currently, these assessments are being implemented in Burlington,
Winooski, Essex, Colchester, and Milton
– with a strong focus on nutrition and physical activity. This focus was
identified in the 2004 community needs assessment, led by Fletcher Allen in
partnership with the United Way
of Chittenden County and the Champlain Initiative. We
also continue to be informed by interviews with community leaders (detailed
below), analysis of our own discharge data, and other community assessment
tools.
Community Partnerships
Fletcher Allen has forged partnerships with numerous organizations, including
non-profits, businesses, educational institutions and public agencies to
improve the health of the community. One of these partnerships is the Champlain
Initiative - a community-wide partnership in the Champlain Valley
largely supported by Fletcher Allen, which has become a national model for
other organizations wanting to improve their communities. For more information
about Fletcher Allen’s partnerships, go to
http://www.fahc.org/Health_Improvement/partnerships.html
or call the Office of Community Health Improvement at (802) 847-2278.