Greenville Hospital System (GHS) uses guidelines set by the Catholic Health Association (CHA) and the American Hospital Association (AHA) that allow for equitable comparisons of community benefits among healthcare institutions. By recognizing the importance of community outreach in ensuring a high quality of life for all residents in the region, GHS offered support in a variety of ways during Fiscal year 2011 (October 2010 through September 2011):
Benefits Recognized by CHA.......... $121.1 million
To help meet the medical needs of Upstate citizens who have no healthcare coverage and cannot afford to pay for healthcare services, GHS provided more than $68.4 million in charity and government-sponsored healthcare (at cost) in Fiscal year 2011.
Support to the Community and Community Health Partners, $52.7 million
Community benefit programs encompass community health services, education of health professionals, subsidized health services, research, and financial and in-kind contributions. In addition to offering health fairs, screenings and information sessions, GHS works with community groups and educational institutions to train health care workers and to ensure access to basic medical services for everyone.
Additional Benefits Recognized by AHA.......... $162.0 million
Medicare shortfall and bad debt (at cost) also are benefits that the hospital system provides. The Medicare shortfall represents $107.2 million of unpaid costs when reimbursement falls short of the actual cost of care. Bad debt, which totaled $54.8 million, occurs when patients are unwilling or unable to pay for services and do not seek charity care.
Total Quantifiable Community Benefit.......... $283.1 million
Community Stories
The GHS mission – heal compassionately, improve constantly, teach innovatively – takes many forms. Along with providing high-quality medical care, GHS strives to place the benefits of enhanced health within the reach of all residents.
GHS embraces this responsibility and works tirelessly to meet it through initiatives such as injury prevention, medical screenings, wellness promotion, clinic care, cancer research, health education, and fund-raising activities and sponsorships. This report highlights several of our outreach efforts, both new and ongoing, that promote a healthy Upstate.
Breast and Prostate Cancer Screenings
Did you know that the chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is a little less than one in eight, or that one man in six will get prostate cancer? Fortunately for all men and women, prostate and breast cancer can be cured if caught early. And since getting screened regularly is one of the most effective ways to detect these cancers, GHS encouraged men and women to partner together and attend one of four free breast and prostate cancer screenings during the month of September. In total, GHS screened more than 330 men for prostate cancer and nearly 100 women for breast cancer.
Parkinson’s Disease Symposium
Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common nervous system disorders of the elderly. Each year, between 50,000 and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed. In March 2011, GHS partnered with the Parkinsons Support Group of the Upstate to host the area’s first-ever symposium on Parkinson’s disease and its spectrum of treatment. The free half-day event drew a crowd of more than 500 people and a number of national speakers. Participants left the event armed with information about the latest research and treatment options, as well as encouragement to lead a full life despite their challenging condition.
Stroke Forum
South Carolina is part of the “Stroke Belt,” a group of Southeastern states with high stroke death rates. In fact, stroke is the third leading cause of death in South Carolina. To help reduce this trend, GHS hosted a free two-hour Stroke Forum for the community on a Saturday in May. More than 100 men and women attended the forum and gained valuable information on how to recognize and reduce their risk of stroke.
Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day
In South Carolina, nearly one in six people have no healthcare coverage. No healthcare coverage means very few, if any, visits to the doctor. To help reach these residents, Greenville Hospital System partners annually with 107.3 JAMZ to host Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day. The event is free and offers important health education, as well as free screenings ranging from breast and prostate cancer to kidney and HIV. This year’s event reached close to 300 people and featured more free screenings than ever before!