OHA recognizes CCMH for supporting food insecure patients

The Oklahoma Hospital Association’s Foundation for a Healthy Oklahoma recently recognized Comanche County Memorial Hospital as a Champion of Health for partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to create an on-site food pantry for food insecure patients.

This recognition is for leadership in integration of public health partnerships in healthcare.

Identifying food insecure patients involves using a health-related social needs (HRSN) screening tool to identify social needs a patient might have. If a patient screens positive for food insecurity, they are eligible to receive a box from the on-site food pantry with an estimated amount of shelf stable food for two weeks. Patients receiving a food box are provided with information about local food pantries for ongoing food assistance.

Food insecurity is one of five core health-related social needs (HRSNs) and an on-site food pantry is an immediate, tangible way to provide a resource to patients. Implementing a clinical HRSN screening process and developing partnerships with community and public health organizations, healthcare providers can more thoroughly serve a patient’s needs and improve their health outcomes.

Beginning in 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires hospitals to report patient HRSN screening data. To continue providing the highest standards of care, healthcare systems must create defined workflows to screen, refer, and provide resources to address patients’ HRSN needs. Partnerships with healthcare, community, and public health organizations to provide a coordinated approach to patient needs will be a major step forward in improving the health of Oklahomans.

The OHA Foundation for a Healthy Oklahoma, with funding support from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, focuses on integrating public health programs in healthcare and clinical settings.