Mercer Medical Center: Wellness focus in the workplace

In the past, hospitals like Mercer Medical Center have treated individuals only after they became sick or injured. And while this continues to be the Medical Center' s main thrust, our approach to health care is also focused on prevention of injury and disease, both at home and in the workplace.

Mercer Medical Center entered the wellness and prevention field with its own employees over 10 years ago, when a visionary vice-president realized that a healthy workforce was important for the successful operation of the hospital. A part-time health educator was hired to coordinate programs on stress reduction, time management, and the risks associated with excessive weight and smoking. From the resulting employee participation and positive feedback, Mercer decided to extend these wellness programs to area organizations and businesses.

The focus on wellness falls in line with the public's growing awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. The wellness concept emphasizes the whole person and provides guidelines for good health care, encouraging life-long learning, the development of healthy life habits, and self-responsibility.

According to a recent Employer Health Initiatives survey conducted by Hewitt Associates, an international benefits consulting firm in Illinois, many companies are recognizing that as much as 55 percent of health care costs are a direct result of lifestyle related illnesses.

Cost conscious businesses know that promoting good health among employees and encouraging healthy lifestyles can save money. The growth of wellness programs in business can be attributed to the increased influence of managed care, which emphasizes cost efficiency by keeping patients healthy and out of the hospital. Prevention and education programs can help employers do this.

Employee wellness programs more than pay for themselves in the long run, for they may reduce employees' needs for corrective health care services. Corporations benefit through decreased health care costs and increased employee productivity. For example, employee benefit costs associated with health and workmen's compensation plans may be reduced, or the cost of replacing valued workers lost to injury or illness. Workers respond positively to the company's concern for their well-being, which may enhance productivity and increase employee retention. Corporate downsizing and employees' long distance commutes are placing more demands on employees' time these days. Employees often find the convenience of on-site wellness services is the best way to get health checks and information.

As businesses ask for more wellness programs, Mercer has responded with its Health Enhancement Program, offering prevention programs at the work site.

"Packaging services specifically for the needs of organizations and their employees is a natural extension of our existing program," says program coordinator Diane Grillo.

The Health Enhancement Program is designed to better respond to the business community's needs by offering services customized to the company's needs. Large and small businesses alike use the Health Enhancement program.

"The advantages are many," says Grillo, "especially for small businesses in Mercer I and Bucks county that cannot afford to employ a nurse or physician.

"We spend time discussing the needs of both the employer and the employee," says Grillo. A conversation with the employer helps her gain an understanding of the company, its size, type of business, average age of employees, sex, and other factors. "We use this information when designing a package of wellness programs for the company." Mercer can also survey employees to determine what they perceive their wellness concerns and needs to be. In this way, employers can better manage the risks of their employees.

Wellness programs are presented in many formats, including lectures, brown bag lunch sessions, and health screenings.

The most frequently requested programs are about stress, diet, and exercise. But a much broader range of programs is possible, and may include company wide immunization programs, CPR classes, consultations with management regarding infectious disease, healthy pregnancy and physical fitness programs.

Mercer Medical Center is developing more innovative programming to reflect current trends. For example, requests for back injury prevention lectures, ergonomic assessment of the workplace, and information on hormone replacement therapy, infertility and impotence have been on the rise. Mercer plans to expand programs to accommodate these changing business needs.

The Health Enhancement Program also offers a series of health risk appraisals, questionnaires that can quickly and confidentially assess an employee's potential for developing certain diseases. The questionnaires are designed to detect lifestyles associated with illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. This tool allows Mercer professionals to identify and address the participant's specific health care needs. A confidential report is mailed to the employee. Persons found to be at high risk for developing disease are telephoned by a registered nurse, who will recommend lifestyle changes and review treatment options. Physician referral is offered if necessary.