Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Employee Wellness: Healthy You Lifestyle Transformation Program

The Healthy You program was designed to enhance whole person health of the hospital's team members. Participation was voluntary. The program was based on overall participation and sustainable health results and or health improvement. It was centered on eight principals of wellness which included making healthy choices, rest, environment, activity, trust, interpersonal relationships, outlook and nutrition. The 16-week long program, provided monthly wellness checks which included blood pressure readings and weigh-ins to measure BMI. In addition, monthly wellness events and education were provided which included an exercise class, cooking demonstration and an environment presentation. If program participants were unable to attend a wellness event, computer-based learning wellness materials were available to them. Points were awarded for each wellness check-in and wellness events participants attended throughout the four month time frame. In addition, points were awarded for BMI and blood pressure improvement and or healthy sustainability of participants. Participants with the highest point values received a monetary award for their wellness efforts.

Contact: Jamie Rowden, Director of Quality Management
Email:Jamie.Rowden@ahss.org
Phone:630-312-6056

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state.  These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)