North Platte, Neb., December 23, 2022 – Great Plains Health is pleased to announce that it has issued its latest Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), a report following a comprehensive and in-depth examination of the community’s healthcare
use, practices and needs. The CHNA report includes health-related information from a myriad of local and other sources and identifies the greatest health needs in our community.
“We studied our hospital’s service area, which spans more than 67,000 square miles across Greater Nebraska,” said Megan McGown, chief development officer, Great Plains Health.
McGown serves on the hospital leadership team to complete the study, alongside consulting partner, Community Hospital Consulting (CHC Consulting) of Plano, Texas.
“The analyses include a careful review of the most current health data available, local demographics and input from several representatives of our community,” added McGown. “The CHNA process is very thorough, and culminates in a blueprint CHNA
report and implementation plan intended to address our area’s most significant needs over the next three years.”
Great Plains Health has identified the most significant areas of focus over the coming months and years:
- Recruit and retain quality healthcare professionals
- Increase access to mental and behavioral healthcare
- Improve access to medical and dental care
- Increase prevention education to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases, preventable conditions, readmissions and high mortality rates
- Increase access to safe and affordable housing
As part of the Affordable Care Act, tax-exempt hospitals are required to complete a CHNA once every three years.
“The COVID-19 pandemic makes it more important than ever to assess community health needs and health resources,” said Ivan Mitchell, CEO, Great Plains Health. “This analysis and collaboration across community health partners will help improve services, access and the health of our diverse community over time.”
Along with Great Plains Health leadership, CHC Consulting’s planning team led the CHNA process and produced the final report. CHC Consulting has conducted more than 100 CHNA reports for hospitals and other health care organizations using proven processes that line up with IRS regulations.
Benefits derived from performing a CHNA include:
- Improved relationships and communications with local civic organizations and state and local public health organizations
- Accurate performance metrics and benchmarks for quantifying future progress
- Increased understanding of local health and wellness needs
Great Plains Health invites all community members to provide feedback on its CHNA
and Implementation Plan report. To view or download the full CHNA report, please visit
our website here gphealth.org/about-us/community-impact/. Information on how to
provide feedback is included at the end of the report, as well as at the site of the report
download.
