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Moldovan F, Moldovan L. Evaluation of Community Involvement and Development in an Orthopedic Hospital. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1286. [PMID: 38998821 PMCID: PMC11241023 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12131286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Improving healthcare requires appropriate community involvement supported by appropriate partner engagement methods. This research aims to develop a complex tool for evaluating the social responsibility of health facilities regarding community involvement and development. We developed areas of a new reference framework for the sustainability of healthcare organizations, which includes the area of community involvement and expansion. It is made up of nine indicators. These were designed using the most representative activities reported by hospitals around the world. Their testing was conducted in an orthopedic emergency hospital. The designed indicators are community engagement actions; the interventions' content adapted to the community; partnership and networking; the involvement of volunteers and training networks; the involvement and participation of professional associations; community-involved local opinion leaders; satisfaction with partnerships; initiatives together with the community; and educational visits. The testing and validation of health practices of the indicators highlighted their adequacy with the proposed purpose of the research and the promotion of sustainable development. We have also verified their compatibility with the requirements of national hospital accreditation legislation and the European framework for quality assurance in hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flaviu Moldovan
- Orthopedics—Traumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Liviu Moldovan
- Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania;
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Cronin CE, Singh SR, Burns A, Yeager VA, Puro N, Santos T, Mathew A, Franz B. Ohio Presents Opportunities For Understanding Hospital Alignment With Public Health Agencies On Community Health Assessments. Health Aff (Millwood) 2024; 43:873-882. [PMID: 38830155 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2024.00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Multisector collaboration is critical for improving population health. Improving alignment between nonprofit hospitals and local health departments is one promising approach to achieving health improvement, and a number of states are exploring policies to facilitate such collaboration. Using public documents, we evaluated the alignment between Ohio nonprofit hospitals and local health departments in the community health needs they identify and those they prioritize. The top three needs identified by hospitals and health departments were mental health, substance use, and obesity. Alignment across organizations was high among the top needs, but it varied more among less commonly identified needs. Alignment related to social determinants of health was low, with health departments being more responsive to social determinants than hospitals. Given the different strengths and capacities of hospitals and health departments, this divergence may be in the best interests of the communities they serve. Community benefit policies should consider how to promote collaboration between hospitals and health departments while also encouraging organizations to use their own expertise to meet community needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ashlyn Burns
- Ashlyn Burns, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Neeraj Puro
- Neeraj Puro, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
| | - Tatiane Santos
- Tatiane Santos, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
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3
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Puro N, Cronin CE, Franz B, Singh S, Feyereisen S. Differential impact of hospital and community factors on breadth and depth of hospital population health partnerships. Health Serv Res 2024; 59 Suppl 1:e14238. [PMID: 37727122 PMCID: PMC10796292 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim was to identify hospital and county characteristics associated with variation in breadth and depth of hospital partnerships with a broad range of organizations to improve population health. DATA SOURCES The American Hospital Association Annual Survey provided data on hospital partnerships to improve population health for the years 2017-2019. DESIGN The study adopts the dimensional publicness theory and social capital framework to examine hospital and county characteristics that facilitate hospital population health partnerships. The two dependent variables were number of local community organizations that hospitals partner with (breadth) and level of engagement with the partners (depth) to improve population health. The independent variables include three dimensions of publicness: Regulative, Normative and Cultural-cognitive measured by various hospital factors and presence of social capital present at county level. Covariates in the multivariate analysis included hospital factors such as bed-size and system membership. METHODS We used hierarchical linear regression models to assess various hospital and county factors associated with breadth and depth of hospital-community partnerships, adjusting for covariates. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Nonprofit and public hospitals provided a greater breadth (coefficient, 1.61; SE, 0.11; p < 0.001 and coefficient, 0.95; SE, 0.14; p < 0.001) and depth (coefficient, 0.26, SE, 0.04; p < 0.001 & coefficient, 0.13; SE, 0.05; p < 0.05) of partnerships than their for-profit counterparts, partially supporting regulative dimension of publicness. At a county level, we found community social capital positively associated with breadth of partnerships (coefficient, 0.13; SE, 0.08; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS An environment that promotes collaboration between hospitals and organizations to improve population health may impact the health of the community by identifying health needs of the community, targeting social determinants of health, or by addressing patient social needs. However, findings suggest that publicness dimensions at an organizational level, which involves a culture of public value, maybe more important than county factors to achieve community building through partnerships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj Puro
- College of Business, Health Administration DepartmentFlorida Atlantic UniversityBoca RatonFloridaUSA
| | - Cory E. Cronin
- College of Health Sciences and ProfessionsOhio UniversityAthensOhioUSA
| | - Berkeley Franz
- Heritage College of Osteopathic MedicineOhio UniversityIrvineCaliforniaUSA
| | - Simone Singh
- Department of Health Management and PolicyUniversity of Michigan School of Public HealthAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Scott Feyereisen
- College of Business, Health Administration DepartmentFlorida Atlantic UniversityBoca RatonFloridaUSA
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Hogg-Graham R, Waters TM, Clear ER, Pearson K, Benitez JA, Mays GP. Longitudinal Trends in Insurer Participation in Multisector Population Health Activities. INQUIRY : A JOURNAL OF MEDICAL CARE ORGANIZATION, PROVISION AND FINANCING 2024; 61:469580241249092. [PMID: 38742676 PMCID: PMC11095183 DOI: 10.1177/00469580241249092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Healthcare organizations increasingly engage in activities to identify and address social determinants of health (SDOH) among their patients to improve health outcomes and reduce costs. While several studies to date have focused on the evolving role of hospitals and physicians in these types of population health activities, much less is known about the role health insurers may play. We used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Public Health Systems for the period 2006 to 2018 to examine trends in health insurer participation in population health activities and in the multi-sector collaborative networks that support these activities. We also used a difference-in-differences approach to examine the impact of Medicaid expansion on insurer participation in population health networks. Insurer participation increased in our study period both in the delivery of population health activities and in the integration into collaborative networks that support these activities. Insurers were most likely to participate in activities focusing on community health assessment and policy development. Results from our adjusted difference-in-differences models showed variation in association between insurer participation in population health networks and Medicaid expansion (Table 2). Population health networks in expansion states experienced significant increases insurer participation in assessment (4.48 percentage points, P < .05) and policy and planning (7.66 percentage points, P < .05) activities. Encouraging insurance coverage gains through policy mechanisms like Medicaid expansion may not only improve access to healthcare services but can also act as a driver of insurer integration into population health networks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Teresa M. Waters
- Institute for Public and Preventive Health, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Glen P. Mays
- University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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5
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Brown JD, Bell N. Factors Associated with the Receipt of Follow-Up Care Among Medicare Beneficiaries Discharged from Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities. J Behav Health Serv Res 2023; 50:221-227. [PMID: 35902514 DOI: 10.1007/s11414-022-09810-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the extent to which facility characteristics, discharge practices, and the availability of outpatient mental health care are associated with receiving follow-up care within 7 days of discharge from an inpatient psychiatric facility among Medicare beneficiaries. The study merged 2018 National Mental Health Services Survey data with 2018 Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Quality Reporting program data representing 1147 inpatient psychiatric facilities. Results from logistic regression analyses indicated that inpatient facilities operated by private for-profit organizations and public agencies had lower odds of achieving high performance on a measure that assessed if Medicare beneficiaries received follow-up care within 7 days of discharge relative to private nonprofit facilities; follow-up rates were inversely associated with the proportion of involuntarily committed patients at the facility. Follow-up rates were not associated with other facility characteristics, discharge practices, the availability of outpatient care at the location of the inpatient facility, or the density of outpatient mental health providers in the community. Improving follow-up care for Medicare beneficiaries could target for-profit and public hospitals and those that serve a high proportion of individuals involuntarily committed to inpatient care.
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Puro N, Cronin CE, Franz B, Singh S. Exploring the Role of Community Social Capital in Not-for-profit Hospitals’ Decision to Engage Community Partners in the Community Health Needs Assessment Process. Med Care Res Rev 2022; 80:333-341. [PMID: 36121004 DOI: 10.1177/10775587221124238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Not-for-profit hospitals (NFPs) frequently partner with community organizations to conduct internal revenue service-mandated community health needs assessment (CHNA), yet little is known about the number of partnerships that hospitals enter into for this purpose. This article uses “American Hospital Associations’ 2020 Annual Survey” data to examine hospital-community partnerships around the CHNA and the role that community social capital defined as, “the networks that cross various professional, political and social boundaries to reflect community level trust needed to pursue shared objectives” plays in hospitals’ choices to partner with community organizations for the CHNA. After controlling for a set of hospital, community, and state characteristics, we found that hospitals present in communities with higher social capital were likely to partner with more community organizations to conduct CHNA. Greater social capital may thus promote community health by facilitating the partnerships NFPs develop with community organizations to conduct the CHNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj Puro
- Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, USA
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7
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Hamadi H, Stallings-Smith S, Apatu E, Peterson B, Spaulding A. Smoke-Free Policies and 30-Day Mortality Rates for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Int J Health Policy Manag 2022; 11:1695-1702. [PMID: 34380194 PMCID: PMC9808222 DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2021.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smoke-free policies have been shown to impact 30-day readmission rates due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among adults aged ≥65 years. However, little is known about the association between smokefree policies and 30-day mortality rates for COPD. Therefore, we investigated the association between comprehensive smoke-free policies and 30-day mortality rates for COPD. METHODS We used a cross-sectional study design and retrospectively examined risk-adjusted 30-day mortality rates for COPD across US hospitals in 1171 counties. Data were sourced from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (HVBP) Program, American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Surveys, US Census Bureau Current Population Survey, and US Tobacco Control Laws Database from the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation (ANRF). Data were averaged at the county level for years 2015-2018. Hierarchical Poisson models adjusted for differences in hospital characteristics and accounted for the clustering of hospitals within a county were used. RESULTS Our findings show a consistent association between stronger smoke-free policies and a reduction in COPD mortality. When evaluating smoke-free policy, county characteristics, and hospital characteristics individually, we found that counties with full coverage or partial coverage had a reduced incidence rate of COPD mortality compared to no coverage counties. After adjusting for the county and hospital characteristics, counties with full coverage of smoke-free policies had a reduced rate of 30-day COPD mortality (adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.79, 0.96) compared to counties with no policy coverage. CONCLUSION Comprehensive smoke-free policies are associated with a reduction in 30-day mortality following hospital admission for COPD. Partial smoke-free legislation is an insufficient preventative measure. These findings have strong implications for hospital policy-makers, suggesting that policy interventions to reduce COPD-related 30-day mortality should include implementing smoke-free policies and public health policy-makers to incentivize comprehensive smokefree policies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emma Apatu
- McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Carrasco-Aguilar A, Galán JJ, Carrasco RA. Obamacare: A bibliometric perspective. Front Public Health 2022; 10:979064. [PMID: 36033824 PMCID: PMC9416003 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.979064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Obamacare is the colloquial name given to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) signed into law by President Obama in the USA, which ultimately aims to provide universal access to health care services for US citizens. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the political-legal, economic, social, management (or administrative), and medical (or health) repercussions of this law, using a bibliometric methodology as a basis. In addition, the main contributors to research on ACA issues have been identified in terms of authors, organizations, journals, and countries. The downward trend in scientific production on this law has been noted, and it has been concluded that a balance has not yet been reached between the coexistence of private and public health care that guarantees broad social coverage without economic or other types of barriers. The law requires political consensus to be implemented in a definitive and global manner for the whole of the United States.
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Community social capital or health needs: What is driving hospital-community partnerships to address social determinants of health? SSM Popul Health 2022; 18:101129. [PMID: 35647259 PMCID: PMC9136097 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are strongly linked to individual and population health outcomes. Hospitals and health systems are in a unique position to initiate or partner on community-wide efforts address SDOH. However, such efforts typically require collaboration with other healthcare and local community organizations since SDOH affect more than just medical care. Despite studies that have identified specific organizational and environmental factors associated with hospital-community partnerships, the role of social capital and community health needs as drivers of such partnerships remains unexplored. This study examines whether hospital partnerships with community organizations in the United States are driven predominantly by community social capital or the prevailing health needs of the community, and whether these drivers are similar for overall partnerships as well as for partnerships with individual organizations. We use 2020 data from the American Hospital Association, US County Health Rankings, and Social Capital Project and employ ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression and logit models to assess the relationship between social capital, community health needs and hospital-community partnerships to address SDOH. Our results indicate that for community social capital was significantly and positively associated with total hospital partnerships (β = 0.05, p = 0.01). We also found that community social capital was significantly more likely to be associated with hospitals’ partnerships with local/state public health agencies, schools, law enforcement agencies, other healthcare providers, and organizations that assist with food insecurity. On the other hand, community health needs were not associated with total partnerships and had limited associations with hospital partnerships with individual organizations. Overall, this research suggests that social capital is a critical determinant of hospital partnerships with community organizations, and hospitals may seek partnerships with organizations that allow them to address community health issues outside of their own expertise since such partnerships and collaborative efforts can help address SDOH and manage population health. Addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) plays an important role in improving population health. Hospital multi sector partnerships with local organizations in the community play a key role in addressing SDOH. Role of community factors like social capital or health needs in driving hospital community partnerships is underexplored. Higher community social capital is associated with hospital community partnerships.
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Noh E, Begun J, White K, Potthoff S. US hospital engagement in cross-sector partnerships for population health improvement in socioeconomically distressed counties. Public Health 2022; 205:55-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Participation in Value-Based Payment Programs and U.S. Acute Care Hospital Population Health Partnerships. J Healthc Manag 2022; 67:103-119. [PMID: 35271521 DOI: 10.1097/jhm-d-20-00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
GOAL The goal of this study was to describe the prevalence and pattern of population health partnerships by hospitals and examine whether these partnerships were associated with different types of payment model programs. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 3,012 U.S. hospitals using data from the American Hospital Association's Annual Survey, the Area Health Resources File, and the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps data. We ran a multivariable Poisson regression model to examine the relationship between value-based payment designs and the number of population health partnerships. Binary logistic regression models were used to assess whether participation in value-based payment design programs was associated with specific types of population health partnerships. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We found that two thirds or more of hospitals used more informal collaborative partnerships with local or state government, faith-based organizations, and local businesses; formal alliances were most common with health insurance companies and other healthcare providers. Accountable care organizations and bundled payment program participation were associated with greater numbers of population health partnerships, whereas hospital ownership of a health plan was not associated with significantly greater numbers of population health partnerships. APPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE Hospitals were engaged in an intermediate number of partnerships (mean = 3.5, out of 8.0 possible), with opportunities for more partnerships with specific types of organizations (faith-based organizations, health insurance companies). Our findings also suggest that certain types of payment models, particularly those that are less capital intensive and entail less extensive organizational transformation on the part of hospitals, may support hospital engagement in population health partnerships. Hospital leaders need to monitor these partnerships continually to determine if they can capitalize on opportunities to play a more prominent role in population health management in local communities.
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Stabler HS, Begun JW. Do Nonprofit Hospitals Evaluate Their Community Benefit Activities? JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2022; 28:E219-E225. [PMID: 33208721 DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000001270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Nonprofit hospitals in the United States are required to conduct a community health needs assessment (CHNA) every 3 years to identify the most pressing health issues in their community and then develop an implementation strategy for addressing these health issues. CHNA reports must include "evaluation of the impact of any actions that were taken to address the significant health needs identified in the immediately preceding CHNA." OBJECTIVE To determine whether and how nonprofit hospitals are responding to the requirement to evaluate their implementation strategies addressing their community's priority health needs. DESIGN Using content analysis, we reviewed CHNA reports of all Minnesota nonprofit hospitals (n = 96) since regulations were finalized in December 2014. SETTING Nonprofit hospitals in Minnesota. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Reports were coded to determine whether hospitals are responding to the evaluation requirement and the types of evaluation measures (process vs outcome indicators) used to assess hospitals' activities. RESULTS Most of the reports (116 of 136 reports, or 85.3%) include narrative evaluating community benefit programs, showing widespread conformity with the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) mandate. All of the evaluations use process indicators, such as the number of individuals reached. More than half of the evaluations (64 of 116 reports, or 55.2%) also use outcome indicators, with many reporting short- and medium-term changes in health-related knowledge and behaviors. Use of outcome indicators increased substantially in CHNAs in the 2017-2020 period compared with 2015-2016. CONCLUSIONS In general, Minnesota hospitals are using program evaluation to assess their community benefit implementation strategies, although the extent to which they evaluate their strategies varies considerably between hospitals. While the use of outcome indicators of impact has increased over time, levels of use suggest the importance of incorporating public health expertise in CHNA work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry S Stabler
- Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Institutional factors associated with hospital partnerships for population health: A pooled cross-sectional analysis. Health Care Manage Rev 2022; 47:254-262. [PMID: 34456274 PMCID: PMC8881468 DOI: 10.1097/hmr.0000000000000325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitals are increasingly engaging in partnerships to address population health in response to national policies, such as value-based payment models. However, little is known about how institutional factors influence hospital partnerships for population health. PURPOSE Guided by institutional theory, we examine the association between institutional pressures (coercive, normative, and mimetic isomorphism) and hospital partnerships for population health. METHODOLOGY A pooled cross-sectional analysis used an unbalanced panel of 10,777 hospital-year observations representing respondents to a supplemental question of the American Hospital Association's annual survey (2015-2017). The analysis included descriptive and bivariate statistics, and regression models that adjusted for repeated observations to examine the relationship between key independent variables and partnerships over time. FINDINGS In regression analyses, we found the most support for measures of coercive (e.g., regulatory factors) isomorphism, with nonprofit status, participation in accountable care organizations, and acceptance of bundled payments, all being consistently and significantly associated with partnerships across all organization types. Modest increases were observed from 2015 to 2017 for hospital partnerships with public health organizations (+2.8% points, p < .001), governmental organizations (+2.0% points, p = .009), schools (+4.1% points, p < .001), and businesses (+2.2% points, p = .007). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Our results suggest that institutional factors, particularly those related to regulatory policies and programs, may influence hospital partnerships to support population health. Findings from this study can assist hospital leaders in assessing the factors that can support or impede the creation of partnerships to support their population health efforts.
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Park S, Hamadi HY, Nguyen AT, Tran V, Haley DR, Zhao M. Examining the Relationship Between Hospital-Community Partnerships and COVID-19 Case-Fatality Rates. Popul Health Manag 2021; 25:134-140. [PMID: 34374579 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2021.0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abtract During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals across the United States were tasked to develop partnerships with other hospitals and community organizations to overcome the unexpected challenges. The aim of this study is to examine COVID-19 case-fatality rates and explore their relationship with hospital-community partnerships. This study employed a cross-sectional design using a multilevel generalized linear model with a Poisson regression distribution and publicly available COVID-19 mortality data from February to October 2020 across 2526 hospital service areas (HSAs). HSAs with a greater number of partnerships were found to have a reduced risk of higher case-fatality rates than those with fewer health system partnerships. The findings indicated the need for greater cooperation between individual health care systems, state and local governments, and community programs for better outcomes in the ongoing and evolving COVID-19 pandemic, and to be better prepared for future pandemics or large-scale public health crises. This study provides the necessary insights for policy makers, hospital administrators, and public health leaders to understand the critical importance of community partnerships and their influence on reducing the COVID-19 case-fatality rate, as well as their potential effects on improving the health of vulnerable populations as a means to achieve the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's goal of achieving health equity. This research illustrates the need for further inquiries into the importance of these health care partnerships for positive health care outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinyoung Park
- Department of Health Administration, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Hanadi Y Hamadi
- Department of Health Administration, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Anh Tran Nguyen
- Department of Health Administration, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Veronica Tran
- Department of Health Administration, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Donald Rob Haley
- Department of Health Administration, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Mei Zhao
- Department of Health Administration, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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Cronin CE, Franz B, Garlington S. Population health partnerships and social capital: Facilitating hospital-community partnerships. SSM Popul Health 2021; 13:100739. [PMID: 33537403 PMCID: PMC7841352 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Social capital refers to the social norms and networks that build trust and enable individuals to pursue shared objectives; it can vary considerably between communities and across time. Considerable evidence suggests that the presence of social capital at the local or state level is associated with improved individual health and lower community-level mortality, chronic illness, and diseases of despair such as substance abuse. Social capital may influence health outcomes because community-engaged institutions are more common in communities with strong social bonds and cross-sector partnerships are more easily leveraged. This study examines the impact of social capital on the effectiveness of health care organizations, specifically hospitals, in establishing population health partnerships which are critical for addressing health disparities and reducing preventable deaths. In a national sample of hospitals, we find that in communities with high social capital, hospitals are more likely to hold partnerships with public health and social service agencies. Social capital within communities may create the conditions in which hospitals are able to easily identify possible partnerships and engage in collaborative efforts to improve population health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory E. Cronin
- College of Health Sciences and Professions, 1 Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
| | - Berkeley Franz
- Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1 Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
| | - Sarah Garlington
- College of Health Sciences and Professions, 1 Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
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