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SJ/C and JCB partner to improve employee wellness
Workers to track health, share information with doctors from an innovative kiosk. JCB employees are already using it for a Biggest Loser contest.
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Savannah, Ga. – March 26, 2012 – St. Joseph’s/Candler and JCB unveiled today the latest technology to keep employees healthy.
The Smart Health Express computerized medical kiosk will give employees the opportunity to measure or research nearly every aspect of their health from a convenient on-site location.
“The health and well being of our workforce is of paramount importance to JCB. The addition of this new kiosk will enable the JCB team members to better monitor their health and hopefully in some small way improve their quality of life,” says John Patterson, chairman and CEO of JCB.
JCB employees have had weight loss contests a la the Biggest Loser in the past. The recent installation of the kiosk pressed some employees into a new contest using the kiosk’s built in scale. But the kiosk added another dimension to the contest with blood pressure readings.
“This unique technology will allow JCB employees to easily keep up with their health at work,” said Paul P. Hinchey, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler. “Keeping a close watch on your health is key to a long life and this tool makes it more convenient to monitor your health and can give your doctor great data to manage your health.”
The Smart Health Express consists of a curtained booth in which workers can track details such as weight, body mass index, blood pressure and other health indicators. The booth also offers direct telephone communication to health professionals who can answer questions. JCB employees will be able to print out reports, as well as electronically share information with their personal physicians. In addition, the kiosk features educational videos on a range of health topics.
St. Joseph’s/Candler has been the JCB’s managed care provider for six years. About a year ago SJ/C opened an onsite employee clinic with a physician’s assistant.
Employees can use the Smart Health Express to be more proactive in their health care by:
• Measuring blood pressure and heart rate with medically certified, accurate equipment.
• Using the built-in seat weight scale
• Calculating Body Mass Index
• Taking temperature
• Taking Health Risk Appraisal and documenting Personal Health History
• Developing and maintaining a medication list
• Creating, storing and sending a Personal Health Record to health care providers.
• Viewing a health video library and reading educational and health management tools that can be printed
• Calling the on-site SJ/C nurse practitioner or a registered pharmacist at the Candler Prescription Center.
• Calling the registered nurses at SJC Care Call Center for health information, and referrals to health providers and community resources
• Accessing health library of diseases and conditions, body guide, explanation of medical tests and a health-related calendar of events.
• Employees will have access to ProChange, a unique, evidence-based lifestyle management coaching program. The program includes targeted education, coaching and messaging based on an individual's lifestyle habits, priorities for health improvement, and his/her specific stage of readiness to change.
The new health kiosk has also added a new and exciting element to the JCB “Biggest Loser” competition- a popular annual weight loss contest. The competition, which started in 2006, is employee organized and completely voluntary. This year the program includes 12 employees: 10 men, 2 women, ranging in age from 25-45, Using the kiosk, employees participating in the competition, weigh in for an initial weight and are challenged to lose the largest percentage of body weight by the end of the competition. The competition runs from February 13 to April 9. The JCB “Biggest Loser” competition has been very successful in the past with last year's winner dropping 19% of his body weight. Being able to use the Smart Health Express has not only provided a central location for the official weigh ins but has added an additional component to the competition as some of the contestants are also tracking the affect their weight loss has on their blood pressure as well as other aspects of their overall health.
Privacy
Securing and keeping patient health information is the top priority for St. Joseph’s/Candler. This kiosk provides multiple features to protect patient privacy. Individual health records can only be accessed with an employee badge, a personal identification number or a thumbprint. Additionally, an electronic drape encloses the employee so no one else can see the computer screen.
ABOUT JCB
JCB, the world’s largest privately owned construction equipment brand, has 22 plants on four continents: 11 in the UK, six in India and others in Brazil, the USA, China, Germany, France and employs more than 10,000 people worldwide.
JCB is privately-owned by the Bamford family and Chairman, Sir Anthony Bamford, has been at the helm of the company since 1975. The company officially marked its 65th anniversary on June 21st, 2011, the 95th anniversary of the birth of company founder Joseph Cyril Bamford.
In 2010 JCB’s earnings on an EBITDA basis were £235 million (2009 - £95 million) on sales of £2 billion. The company strengthened its position as the world's number one manufacturer of backhoe loaders and telescopic handlers, with market shares up to 45% and 28% respectively.
The company has invested £40 million in recent years to design, develop and manufacture a completely new range of 17 skid steer loaders and compact tracked loaders at its North American headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. .
JCB manufactures more than 300 different machines including: backhoe loaders; Loadall telescopic handlers; tracked and wheeled excavators; wheeled loading shovels; articulated dump trucks; rough terrain fork lifts; mini excavators; Robot skid steers loaders and JCB Vibromax compaction equipment. For agricultural markets, the company produces a range of telescopic handlers and the unique Fastrac tractor. JCB also manufactures the Teletruk forklift for the industrial sector.
JCB has won more than 50 major awards for engineering excellence, exports, design, marketing, management and for its care for the environment. Among them are 26 Queen’s Awards for Technology and Export Achievement.
ABOUT ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER
St. Joseph’s/Candler of Savannah, Georgia (www.sjchs.org) is a national Magnet-designated facility for nursing excellence, with a focus on the latest technologies and research. The system handles managed care for some of the biggest employers in the Savannah region, such as the city of Savannah, Colonial Oil and JCB through an exclusive partnership with the Savannah Business Group.
SJ/C’s comprehensive network includes centers of excellence for oncology, cardiovascular, neurosciences, women’s and children’s services, orthopedics and a variety of other disease specialties. Comprised of two of the oldest continuously operating hospitals in the United States, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital, this not for profit health system is the largest in Southeast Georgia and the region’s only faith based institution.
For additional information, please contact Scott M. Larson, SJ/C’s Public Relations Manager, at 912-596-5084 or larsons@sjchs.org.
