Employers know that healthy employees are a company’s best ambassadors in the community. Whether a business is large or small, a strong employee wellness and safety program is paramount to a productive work force. At Abrazo Health, we’ve always had a comprehensive benefits program that supported employee wellness, and have offered resources for crisis support for individuals facing personal challenges.
When the pandemic hit, it brought attention to the need for additional resources for the health and well-being of our staff and physicians. Among the first priorities was clear, transparent communication. With rapidly changing information and guidance from public health authorities, it was paramount to communicate often with our key internal stakeholders. It is extremely important employers have visibility to their employees. In addition to companywide messages to our employees and medical staff, leaders frequently rounded in the hospitals to provide information and listen to questions and concerns. This visibility helped us identify issues or concerns that could be quickly addressed.
Hospital staff spent long days caring for COVID and non-COVID patients, and the stress of managing personal lives while balancing family needs and commitments added yet another layer of challenge to manage. Beyond the additional safety measures we implemented early on — restricting building access, universal masking, fever checks, screening questions and hand sanitizing every time someone enters the building, as well as cohorting COVID patients in dedicated units — testing was and is offered to employees and physicians meeting the criteria for exposure to coronavirus.
We quickly realized the need for additional mental health wellness support. Our daily communication and rounding emphasized the resources available through the Employee Assistance Program, Employee Health Department, on our intranet and in the community. Resources were compiled and frequently distributed to employees. Free webinars were and still are being offered on stress management and other topics.
A wellness handbook was created and is featured prominently on our intranet home page. Topics cover a variety of issues, from managing stress and anxiety, parents talking to their kids about coronavirus, home safety and cleanliness, grief and coping with loss, the ABCs of self-care, meditation, suicide prevention and more. There are also many free resources available throughout the community.
Other things to consider that contribute to employee wellness include offering telecommuting options for those whose jobs allow it, childcare and remote learning resources, and financial management resources. We were fortunate to be able to offer access to the Tenet Care Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides financial assistance to employees who have experienced hardship due to events beyond their control.
Telemedicine options are popular and a good way to stay current with health needs. A troubling sign is many people are delaying preventive and emergency care during the pandemic. Studies show a significant number of people are delaying healthcare. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, there is still prevalence of stroke, heart attack and other health emergencies. Hospitals, ERs and physician offices have safety precautions in place to help ensure that care can be provided when care is needed. The key message for employers to communicate to their employees is to not delay care if the employee or a loved one has symptoms that are best evaluated in an emergency room or by a physician.
We have a saying, “Your health can’t wait.” Don’t let fear cause a delay in care that may cause additional complications. The best wellness policy always starts with prevention.
Brian Elisco
Chief Executive Officer
Abrazo Health
Read the other “As Business Changes, So Will Our Healthcare” perspectives.
