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Community Health Needs Assessment

meeting in china with people sitting at tables
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires nonprofit hospitals nationwide, including Olathe Hospital (previously Olathe Medical Center) and Paola Hospital (previously Miami County Medical Center), to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every 3 years. Hospitals are then required to develop and execute an implementation plan to meet the needs identified in this assessment. With the help of VVV Research and Development, Olathe and Paola hospitals conducted this assessment for our primary service areas, and the findings of that assessment are outlined below.

CHNA process

The first step in performing this assessment was to determine the current health status of the community. This was done by researching and collecting data from many sources, such as the census, county health records and behavioral risk factors surveillance. This data was used to uncover public health needs and resources for the service areas.

The next step was to get input from the community. This was done in 2 ways.

  1. 1. A CHNA survey was sent to residents in the service areas. The survey provided residents the opportunity to share their views on a range of healthcare topics and identify the biggest healthcare needs in their community.
  2. 2. Then 90-minute town hall meetings were held in the primary service areas. At each town hall meeting, residents (including community leaders, representatives from local government, schools, service organizations and health providers) were presented the data on the current health status of their community, engaged in facilitated group discussions and asked to determine which health priorities were the most important for them.
 

CHNA results

The research, survey and town hall meetings helped develop a clearer picture of our service areas and the health priorities of residents. Below is a summary of the major strengths and health need priorities in the primary service area of Olathe Hospital and Paola Hospital. For the full report, including the results of the research and data collecting, click on the links below.

Priority health need results

  • Mental health (diagnosis, placement and aftercare), need additional providers
  • Crisis behavioral health care
  • Collaboration of community resources
  • Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol)
  • Housing (accessibility and affordability)
  • Healthcare navigators (coordination of available services)
  • Transportation

Download the full report. 

 
  • Childcare (affordable and accessible)
  • Mental health (diagnosis, placement, aftercare, access to providers)
  • Housing (affordable and accessible)
  • Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol)
  • Chronic disease management (cancer and diabetes)
  • Obesity (access to healthy foods/exercise)
  • Uninsured/underinsured

Download the full report.

Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP)

Olathe Hospital (previously Olathe Medical Center) and Paola Hospital (previously Miami County Medical Center) developed Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP) to address the top health need priorities identified through the CHNA assessment.

The Olathe Medical Center Board of Trustees approved its CHIP in October 2024 and the Miami County Medical Center Board of Trustees approved its CHIP in November 2024. They are available below. Updates may be posted periodically to keep the community aware of our progress.

Olathe CHIP 2025-2027
Paola CHIP 2025-2027

Past plans:

2023 Olathe Medical Center
2023 Miami County Medical Center 
2020 Olathe Medical Center
2020 Miami County Medical Center 
2017 Olathe Medical Center
2017 Miami County Medical Center
2014 Olathe Medical Center
2014 Miami County Medical Center

Resources

Our mission-driven commitment to help people through healing, health and happiness allows us to consistently work to improve the overall health of our community. Based on the research gathered in our latest CHNA, we have designated behavioral health, physical health and access to care as our three target areas to improve. Below you will find information and resources on the various health need priorities we established within these three areas so you and your neighbors can work towards a happier, healthier life. 
  1. Diagnosis and treatment
  2. More information about psychiatric services 
  3. How to talk to your child about mental health
    1. Establish trust and encourage them to talk to you. Be open with them. Share your feelings and show them it is safe for them to share their own. Create a safe space.
    2. “Early identification and intervention are key to addressing symptoms, promoting a child’s development, and helping a child to live a healthier and happier life.”
    3. If you notice warning signs, it is okay to have a direct conversation.
    4. 1 in 5 children have a diagnosable mental health illness. Only about half get help.
    5. Conversation starters 
    6. Stay connected to your pediatrician.
  4. Depression and anxiety
    1. Symptoms include persistent worrying, overthinking plans, fatigue, trouble sleeping, muscle tension, trembling, sweating and irritability
    2. What is depression
    3. What do I do now? See a doctor or talk to someone.
 
  1. The Basics: Education/Awareness
    1. Addiction
    2. Health Risks
    3. Side Effects
    4. Overdose
    5. In KS, about 45% of the 345 drug overdose deaths involved opioids in 2018- a total of 156 fatalities (https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-summaries-by-state/kansas-opioid-involved-deaths-related-harms)
    6. Almost 70% of the more than 67,000 drug overdose deaths in 2018 involved an opioid (https://www.kdheks.gov/idp/pdomp.htm)
  2. Talk to your kids. Also watch for cues, like:
    1. New friend group
    2. Isolation from family
    3. Worsening academic performance
    4. Depression
  3. Vaping
    1. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/e-cigarettes.html?ref=search
    2. https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov
    3. Health risks
      1. Affects brain development
      2. Lung damage
      3. Addiction
  4. Meth and Marijuana
    1. Marijuana
      1. Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal substance
      2. Risks
        1. Brain health
        2. Mental health
        3. Athletic performance
        4. Driving
    2. Meth
    3. Additional resources
      1. Smoking cessation class
      2. Communities that Care
      3. https://www.recovery.org/
 
  1. Suicide prevention resources
    1. National suicide prevention line: 1-800-273-8255
    2. Kansas suicide prevention resources center: 785-841-9900
    3. Kansas youth suicide prevention: 785-368-8465
    4. Crisis Text Line: Text LISTEN to 74174 
    5. https://www.alexproject.org/
    6. https://kansassuicideprevention.org/
  2. How to talk to a loved one
    1. Encourage them to seek help
    2. Be supportive
    3. Prepare for a potential crisis
    4. Educate yourself – could be a link to another post (mental health awareness)
 
  1. Healthy habits suggested by a provider
    1. Nutrition
    2. Healthy meals
    3. Drinking water
    4. Limiting sugar
    5. Being active
    6. Limiting screen time – Replace with reading, mind games, going outside
    7. Sleep
  2. Healthy Kids
    1. What do parents need to know to promote a healthy lifestyle in their children?
    2. 12345 fit-tastic program
      1. 1 or more hours of physical activity
      2. 2 hours maximum screen time
      3. 3 servings of low or nonfat milk or yogurt
      4. 4 servings of water, not sugary drinks
      5. 5 servings or more of fruits and vegetables
  3. Promote physical activity with community resource
    1. Garmin Marathon, Olathe Parks, YMCA, camps, fitness centers
    2. Other suggestions such as going for a walk or doing a few exercises 
 

  1. Weight management
  2. What older people need to know about obesity
  3. Childhood obesity
    1. Packing a healthy lunch for your child
    2. Setting a good example
    3. Getting your child involved
 
  1. Diabetes management
    1. What is diabetes? 
    2. Resources for managing diabetes
  2. Chronic pain management 
  3. Wound care – delaying care can lead to wound issues 
 
  1. List of affordable housing options

These resources are periodically updated throughout the year.

Related links

Care Collaborative
Community Benefit Reporting
Community Health Needs Assessment
Care Collaborative ACO
Military Training Program
Community Outreach & Services