Journal Article

Nonprofit Hospitals’ Approach to Community Health Needs Assessment

Pennel, Cara L., McLeroy, Kenneth R., Matarrita-Cascante, David, Burdine, James N.

2015

Overview

Objectives. We sought a better understanding of how nonprofit hospitals are fulfilling the community health needs assessment (CHNA) provision of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to conduct CHNAs and develop CHNA and implementation strategies reports. Methods. Through an Internet search of an estimated 179 nonprofit hospitals in Texas conducted between December 1, 2013, and January 5, 2014, we identified and reviewed 95 CHNA and implementation strategies reports. We evaluated and scored reports with specific criteria. We analyzed hospital-related and other report characteristics to understand relationships with report quality. Results. There was wide-ranging diversity in CHNA approaches and report quality. Consultant-led CHNA processes and collaboration with local health departments were associated with higher-quality reports. Conclusions. At the time of this study, the Internal Revenue Service had not yet issued the final regulations for the CHNA requirement. This provides an opportunity to strengthen the CHNA guidance for the final regulations, clarify the purpose of the assessment and planning process and reports, and better align assessment and planning activities through a public health framework.

• Publisher: American Public Health Association
• Subject: Analysis of Variance / Citizen participation / Collaboration / Community Health / Community health care / Community Health Planning - legislation & jurisprudence / Community Health Planning - methods / Community Health Planning - organization & administration / Community Health Services - legislation & jurisprudence / Community Health Services - methods / Community Health Services - organization & administration / Community hospitals / Community-Institutional Relations - legislation & jurisprudence / Cooperative Behavior / Evaluation / Health Care Facilities/Services / Health needs / Health Plan Implementation - methods / Health Plan Implementation - organization & administration / Health Policy / Health Priorities - legislation & jurisprudence / Health Priorities - organization & administration / Hospitals / Hospitals, Voluntary - legislation & jurisprudence / Hospitals, Voluntary - organization & administration / Humans / Internet / Needs assessment / Needs Assessment - legislation & jurisprudence / Needs Assessment - organization & administration / Nonprofit hospitals / Online Research and Practice / Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act 2010-US / Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - standards / Patients / Program Evaluation / Public health / Public Health Practice / Regulation / Texas / United States