More than a statistical laboratory
March 1, 1998 2 minutes read
More than a statistical laboratory
Counseling, monitoring risk factors
The Anheuser-Busch employees participating in the outcomes-based wellness study by Kersh Wellness Management will be doing much more than providing data; they will be closely monitored and counseled about how to lower their risk factors.
The program, which at present is totally voluntary (spouses were also invited to participate), begins with a Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) and a biomedical screening, which includes height, weight, blood pressure, and a blood chemistry.
Once the information has been gathered, the laboratories that are analyzing the blood will send results electronically so Kersh Management can integrate the lab results with the HRA results. This information is then downloaded directly into the wellness company’s computer.
No employee will go unnoticed
The results are mailed back to the employee’s home. In addition, all participants’ primary care physicians will also receive a copy.
The program is designed to minimize the number of high-risk employees who "fall through the cracks." When the primary physician gets his summary, he also receives two post cards with self-addressed, stamped envelopes. Both are completed by the physician; one gets mailed to the employee, the other to Kersh.
Addressed to the employee, the card reads: "Dear ____, I have reviewed your wellness results; here’s our action plan." The card may read, "Please call our office for an appointment," "Please see me immediately," or "The results were fine; I’ll put this in your file." Since an identical card is sent to Kersh, the company can make sure the follow-up has been implemented through the Managed care organizations. It also enables Anheuser-Busch to go to their managed care providers and show how they responded to high-risk employees.
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