Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Campbell County Health - Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program

In August 2014, Campbell County Health became the first health care facility in Wyoming to be approved to provide chest X-rays for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Coal Workers Health Surveillance Program. The approval permits CCH to conduct radiographic exams under the NIOSH rule, which provides all U.S. coal workers with the opportunity to receive free, periodic respiratory testing. Coal mine operators are required to notify employees when they are eligible for testing. Who is it for? Miners and contract workers at coal mines Why do they do it? Early detection, through use of chest X-rays and lung function tests, can help prevent serious coal mining-related lung disease. Impact Campbell County and the Powder River Basin are responsible for more than 40 percent of U.S. coal production, and major mining companies in the area directly employ more than 5,000 workers. As of October 2014, NIOSH testing at CCH had already begun. Contact:Karen Clarke Manager, Community Relations Telephone:307-688-1581 Email: karen.clarke@ccmh.net

Community Connections is an initiative of the AHA to support and highlight the work hospitals do every day in America.

Hospitals are working not just to mend bodies, but also to make their patients and communities healthier. This work extends far beyond the hospital building – bringing free clinics, job training, smoking-cessation classes, back-to-school immunizations, literacy programs and so many other resources, often with little fanfare, directly to the people of the community.

As the national advocate for hospitals, the AHA has consistently supported our members as they develop fair and compassionate policies to help improve access to care for the uninsured, as they work to expand wellness and prevention activities and as they routinely demonstrate their commitment to improving the health and addressing the unmet needs of their patients and communities.

Hospital members are encouraged to submit their stories today.