Health & Wellness
The Chickasaw Nation Health System (CNHS) continues to provide Native Americans with health services that promote healing
and wellness.
The pharmacy department has been hard at work with many new services and program expansions over the past year. In addition to filling more than 850,000 prescriptions, the department also implemented the automated telephone refill system and Internet refill system. To alleviate time and cost associated with travel, mail order prescription delivery services were also added for all patients who live outside the clinic areas. By the addition of these new programs and services, more Chickasaws than ever before have been able to benefit from pharmaceutical services offered by the tribe. Pharmacy services for those living outside the Chickasaw Nation have also increased dramatically over the past year. In FY 2008, the services at-large monthly prescription volume increased by more than 200 percent from the previous year.
In July 2008, the Carl Albert Indian Health Facility (CAIHF) underwent its first unannounced Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals survey. The facility was well prepared for the evaluation, and as a result, received full accreditation for another three-year cycle.
CNHS was awarded an Innovations in Planned Care II grant in August 2008. This innovative collaboration is central to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) system and accelerates learning for all participating sites. The IHI is the leader in medical quality improvement throughout the United States. Results and educational opportunities that are part of the initiative will accelerate health care improvement, introduce efficiencies and pave the way for the highest quality patient care.
The Chickasaw Nation also became the first tribe to sign a historic contract with the new Oklahoma Cancer Center. Through the contract agreement, cancer management is provided to CNHS patients. A dedicated patient navigator is available to directly schedule services at the center as well as provide one‑on‑one navigation in and around the facility. The cancer center provides patients with access to the highest level of tumor registry within the state and allows access to participate in clinical research trials. Services have been available to newly diagnosed cancer patients for almost a year.
In an effort to promote positive lifestyle changes and healthy eating habits for individuals affected by diabetes, the Chickasaw Nation hosts many events that include educational workshops and interactive classes. Currently, the CNHS diabetes care center and pediatric departments are partnering with OU Children’s Hospital to develop a treatment and prevention program for children at high risk for obesity. In addition, 91 percent of all in-patients with diabetes at CAIHF received nutrition education counseling from a registered dietitian.
The nutrition services department also provides healthy educational opportunities to citizens and community members throughout the year. This year, more than 700 children participating in Chickasaw Nation camps took part in nutrition education activities that promote healthy eating, nutrition and overall wellness. In addition, more than 9,000 meals were served at Chickasaw Nation Boys & Girls Clubs and other participating sites through the summer food program. This service provided nutritious meals for children, as well as savings for the clubs.
The farmers’ market nutrition program also provides many opportunities for increased nutrition for seniors and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs participants. This year, a record number of seniors were served through the program. More than 6,700 participants received coupons for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables.
In addition, the Get Fresh! program distributed more than 1,725 copies of their “Cooking the MyPyramid Way” DVD across 32 states as well as Canada. Recipients included 47 different Native American tribes and food distribution program participants. The Get Fresh! program also reached more than 662,000 households through guest appearances on Together at the Table, which airs on KWTV-9 and its affiliates throughout Oklahoma.
In addition to nutrition and educational opportunities, the tribe offers many programs and services to improve overall health and wellness. In an effort to promote exercise and fitness, wellness facilities located in Ada, Ardmore and Tishomingo are available at no cost to citizens and employees and are open to the public for a nominal fee. These facilities provide exercise equipment, wellness classes, walking tracks, pools, gymnasiums, cooking classes and nutrition education. Combined, the three wellness centers had more than 97,000 visits for FY 2008.
Other accomplishments:
- The dental clinic had more than 14,800 visits.
- Throughout the year, 597 babies were delivered at CNHS.
- In addition, more than 795,000 laboratory tests were performed at CNHS sites.
- Optometry in Ada, Ardmore and Tishomingo had more than 8,100 visits in FY 2008.
- Tribal health programs also experienced many increases. More than 2,200 clients were served through the services at-large eyeglasses program.
- More than $238,000 was reimbursed to Chickasaws through the services at-large health spending account.
- The food distribution program served an average of 1,500 households each month.
- More than 10,000 people attended Get Fresh! cooking classes and educational events throughout FY 2008.