Timberline Health: An Integrated Delivery System Serv 653660

Timberline Health An Integrated Delivery System Serving Residents In

Timberline Health, an integrated delivery system serving residents in five counties in eastern Washington, is considering new opportunities to increase community awareness of the organization’s outpatient health services. As the new business development manager of hearing health services, Jack Andrews is responsible for evaluating the feasibility of marketing activities for the hearing service line and must allocate resources to promotional activities that forecast positive return on investment. One option under consideration is to sponsor the health and wellness pavilion at the Spokane County Fair. Research from comparable markets has shown that wellness fairs are not only effective at educating communities about potential risk factors for health problems, including hearing loss but also increasing consumer awareness of new or existing health services provided by local health organizations.

These activities are essential to Timberline Health’s mission within the community. Since little is known about the hearing status of residents in the market area, Jack enlists the services of his organization’s epidemiologist, Dr. Ruth Litchfield, to help him evaluate the potential return on investment for this marketing campaign. Dr. Litchfield incorporates several factors into her analysis.

She reviews public health data on hearing loss, occupational and age distribution data for local residents, as well as a query of Timberline Health’s patient databases. Based on this research, she estimates the prevalence of hearing loss in the five-county service area at 18 percent, slightly higher than the national average (NIH, 2010). Jack receives information from the fair’s sales and marketing department to help in his calculations. Specifically, sponsorship consists of an investment of $50,000 for the design and production of promotional materials and rental of pavilion space for the duration of the twelve-day fair. Data from the previous three years shows on average 250,000 people attend the fair, of which 1% visit the wellness pavilion and participate in health screening services.

If Timberline Health is to offer mobile hearing screening, the organization must invest in new portable audiology equipment. Jack receives a quotation from his supplier and estimates the total investment in new audiometers and audiometric booths at $16,000. Timberline Health will use existing diagnostic equipment to test people who have failed the initial screening (i.e., test positive for hearing loss), so it is unnecessary to invest in additional equipment for the hearing centers. Vendor specifications for the screening and diagnostic equipment are indicated in Table 1. Table 1 Vendor equipment specifications Equipment Sensitivity Specificity Portable audiology equipment for free screening 90% 96% Clinic-based audiology equipment for follow-up diagnostic testing 99% 99%

Furthermore, Jack calculates that he must provide coverage for three 6-hour shifts per day and each shift must have three audiologists to meet the demand for screening tests. He anticipates hiring nine people to provide coverage for the duration of the fair. The hourly rate for audiologists is $37.50. People who fail the initial screening at the fair are referred to an audiologist for a diagnostic test. Jack assumes in his calculations that all people who are referred for diagnostic testing follow up with an audiologist in one of Timberline Health’s hearing centers. Initial screening tests at the fair are free; however, Timberline Health charges $57.00 for a diagnostic hearing test, which costs the organization $24.00.

Using past sales data and industry metrics, Jack forecasts that of the total number of people diagnosed with hearing loss at hearing centers, only 20% will purchase hearing aids (NIH, 2010). He reviews sales and margin data from the prior year to identify the product mix for his calculations as indicated in Table 2. Table 2 Sales and margin data Hearing Aids Unit Price 2015 Sales Margin Low-end $1,000 $400, Mid-range $2,500 $1,250, High-end $4,000 $400,

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Introduction

The need for hearing services within a community is primarily driven by demographic factors, existing healthcare utilization, and the prevalence of hearing impairment. For Timberline Health, understanding community needs through demographic data, data analytics, and targeted screening tools will be essential to effectively allocate resources and develop responsive hearing health services.

Demographic Data and Its Role in Understanding Hearing Needs

Demographic variables such as age distribution, occupational data, socioeconomic status, and racial/ethnic composition are critical in evaluating community hearing health needs. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), age is the most significant factor influencing hearing loss, with prevalence increasing sharply after age 65 (NIDCD, 2022). Similarly, occupational exposure to noise, prevalent in younger working populations, may contribute to early onset hearing impairment (Kuhn et al., 2018). Socioeconomic factors influence access to healthcare services, including hearing screenings and hearing aids, thus impacting device adoption rates.

Furthermore, racial and ethnic disparities have been documented in hearing health, with minority populations often experiencing higher rates of untreated hearing loss due to access barriers (Gopinath et al., 2019). For Timberline Health, analyzing age and occupational distribution data from public records combined with internal patient data can highlight high-risk groups, guiding targeted outreach and service provisioning.

Utilizing Data Analytics to Assess Community Needs

Timberline’s robust electronic health records (EHR) system offers an invaluable resource for conducting needs assessments. Data analytics can be employed to identify trends and gaps in hearing health. For instance, analyzing patient demographics, diagnoses, referrals, and treatment outcomes over time can reveal underserved populations or high prevalence areas. Cluster analysis might pinpoint neighborhoods with higher incidences of hearing loss, informing targeted screening programs (Johnson et al., 2017).

Predictive analytics models can forecast future service demand based on aging trends and occupational data, enabling proactive planning. Additionally, analyzing appointment data and follow-up rates can assess barriers faced by different communities and improve service delivery models (Williams et al., 2020). Such analyses can also inform marketing strategies, ensuring outreach efforts resonate with those most in need.

Designing a Screening Questionnaire

Effective screening tools are vital in primary care settings to identify potential hearing impairment early. A questionnaire should be concise, user-friendly, and capable of capturing key risk factors. Based on Six Steps Creating Effective Questionnaires (Crespo & Carvajal, 2016), the questions below aim to identify individuals at risk of hearing loss in the community:

  1. Do you have difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments?
  2. Do you or family members notice that you often ask others to repeat themselves?
  3. Have you experienced ringing, buzzing, or other noises in your ears (tinnitus)?
  4. Are you frequently exposed to loud noises at work or during hobbies?
  5. Have you noticed changes in your hearing over the past year?
  6. Do you have a family history of hearing loss?
  7. Are you over the age of 60?
  8. Have you used hearing protection devices during noisy activities?
  9. Do you currently use a hearing aid or have you ever considered using one?

This concise set of questions, focusing on hearing difficulties, exposure, familial risk, and age, will assist primary care providers in rapid screening and referral decisions.

Other Factors Influencing the Need for Hearing Services

Beyond demographic factors, several social, environmental, and behavioral factors influence community hearing health needs. Environmental noise pollution, especially in urban settings, can accelerate hearing impairment (World Health Organization, 2018). Cultural perceptions and stigma attached to hearing aids may affect acceptance and usage rates, thereby influencing service demand (Johnson et al., 2019). Access barriers such as transportation, cost, and health literacy can impede timely diagnosis and treatment (Gopinath et al., 2019).

Moreover, comorbid conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are associated with higher rates of hearing loss (Yueh et al., 2019). Therefore, integrating hearing screening into broader health initiatives and community outreach programs can improve detection and management. Social support networks and educational campaigns can also improve acceptance and regular use of hearing aids, ultimately reducing untreated hearing loss and improving quality of life (Gurgel et al., 2014).

Conclusion

To effectively meet the community’s hearing health needs, Timberline Health must leverage demographic data, health record analytics, and targeted screening tools. Recognizing the influence of environmental, cultural, and social factors additionally enhances planning and outreach efforts. A comprehensive needs assessment employing these approaches will guide targeted resource allocation, improve early detection, and expand access to hearing care services, ultimately supporting community health and well-being.

References

  • Gurgel, R. K., et al. (2014). Outcomes of hearing aid use in older adults. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 62(7), 1255–1264.
  • Gopinath, B., et al. (2019). Racial/ethnic disparities in hearing loss among older adults. American Journal of Public Health, 109(5), 659–666.
  • Johnson, J. T., et al. (2017). Using clinical informatics to improve hearing health services. Hearing Research, 353, 85-91.
  • Kuhn, T., et al. (2018). Noise exposure and hearing loss. International Journal of Audiology, 57(6), 415–423.
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). (2022). Age-related hearing loss. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss
  • Williams, C. M., et al. (2020). Predictive analytics in audiology: Planning community hearing health services. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, 5(2), 234-239.
  • World Health Organization. (2018). Environmental noise guidelines for the European Region. WHO Regional Office for Europe.
  • Yueh, B., et al. (2019). Association between cardiovascular risk factors and hearing impairment. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 145(4), 342–349.
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). (2022). Hearing loss overview. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss
  • Kuhn, T., et al. (2018). Noise-induced hearing loss. Lancet, 392(10151), 701–712.

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