CHI Carrington and Foster County Public Health seek input

In an effort to gauge the overall health needs of the community, CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington and Foster County Public Health will survey area residents during an approximate six-week period beginning now through Sept. 30. Results of the survey will provide guidance to CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington and Foster County Public Health on better ways to address health care needs. The survey is part of a community health needs assessment initiated by both facilities. CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington and Foster County Public Health are receiving assistance in conducting the assessment from the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Surveys will be distributed through various channels, including through members of a Community Focus Group, service clubs, stores, churches and other public venues. Residents may access an interactive, online version of the survey through this link: http://tinyurl.com/Carrington18 or by going to the websites or Facebook pages for either CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington or Foster County Public Health.

Printed copies are available by calling Foster County Public Health at (701) 652-3087 or the CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington Administrative Office at (701) 652-7166. All survey responses are anonymous, and there is no way to track responses back to individuals. Survey responses are returned to the Center for Rural Health to help ensure anonymity. A postage-paid return envelope is included with each written survey.

The survey will allow local providers to:

 • Learn of the good things in our community as well as concerns

 •Understand perceptions and attitudes about the health of the community, and hear suggestions for improvement

 • Learn more about how local health services are used by residents

Completing the survey takes about 20 minutes.

Mariann Doeling, President for CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington states, “I highly encourage all residents to participate in this important community needs assessment. We are challenged to keep people healthy which means a healthier community. In order to meet that challenge it is important we work closely with other health care organizations in the communities we serve... I urge as many residents as possible to take part in the survey in order to have a voice in your health care.

“We can only improve our health care service lines if we understand where the challenges are,” continues Doeling, “Our goal is for community health care and the hospital to be available and viable for years to come. This survey allows us to stay in tune with what patient’s desire in their local healthcare, which is so vital for the communities we serve.”

Lisa Hilbert, Administrator/DON for Foster County Public Health, added, “Our mission is to Prevent. Promote. Protect. for optimal community health. The partnerships with CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington and the Center for Rural Health are an excellent way to fulfill our mission.”  

A periodic community needs assessment is one of the requirements of the Affordable Care Act and also Public Health Accreditation Board Standards. A portion of the survey costs are covered by the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Grant Program, a project of the Center for Rural Health. The Flex Program is a state-based partnership that works with and assists all rural hospitals to stabilize and sustain their local health care infrastructure. The remaining costs are covered by CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington and Foster County Public Health.

For more information regarding the Community Health Needs Assessment process, please contact Jennifer Whitman at (701) 652-7250.