HARRIS-MCDEW STUDENT HEALTH CENTER

Betty Bennett, Director

 Mission Statement

The Student Health Center provides primary health care, information and referral to all qualified students that effectively address and treat minor illnesses, network for the treatment of major illnesses and provides information and services that improve, maintain and safeguard the health of the Savannah State University students.

Most of the Student Health Center’s efforts will address the SSU goal: “to foster the student’s personal-social development in respect to physical fitness and wellness; personal effectiveness habits, human relations skills . . .”

Vision Statement

To provide a wide range of high quality student health services that are appropriate, convenient, and cost effective to SSU students.

Guiding Principles

1.       Savannah State Student Health Services will be accessible, convenient, quality and cost effective.

2.       Services will be provided in a culturally sensitive and caring manner that meet the needs of a diverse student body.

3.       All health service providers will safeguard the integrity and confidentiality of the student’s health, clinical treatment record and other identifying data.

4.       The Health Center’s staff will obtain, provide and coordinate training efforts to maintain and promote healing as well as healthy lifestyles.

5.       Participation in campus and community efforts will assure that SSU maintains a positive reputation as well as to promote and maximize the resources for the population served.

Primary Clients

1.       Students

2.       Faculty and staff

3.       Pre-College students

4.       Community and guests

Summary of Functions, Services, and Task Provided

The Student Health Center’s major competitors are the major hospital emergency rooms.   The students use these services, but report that they are expensive and frequently are unable to afford prescribed medication.   The Student Health Center provides on-site services that include nurse services, physician treatment and care, and prescribed medication dispensed by the on-site Pharmacist.

Basic Performance Indicators

The Student Health Center will monitor the illnesses of the student population and maintain goods and services that prevent and treat those illnesses in a cost-effective manner.  The Student Health Center will continue to collaborate and advocate for goods and services for which the SSU student is otherwise qualified.  The Center's full-time staff includes Gwendolyn Frazier, RN with 28 years of experience at SSU, Sylvia Hutchinson, LPN, with 21 years of Student Health Center experience at SSU, Judy Johnson, Secretary with 16 years of experience at SSU.   Part-time staff includes: Gary N. Harvey, Physician, Quandal Gray, a licensed Pharmacist and Betty Bennett, Administrative Director.  Students obtained 3,491 services during FY 1999.

The FY 1998 Student Satisfaction Survey indicated that students living on campus made sixty-two percent of Health Center contacts.  Fifty-five percent reported that they had private insurance.  Some of these were unknowingly insured by providers with no local health service network.   Seventy-six percent reported the Center hours were convenient.  Seventy-two percent rated the Center services as good to excellent. Twenty percent of the population did not respond. None of the population rated the Center as poor One hundred percent would recommend the Student Health Center to a friend.  One hundred percent also wanted to maintain an on-campus Student Health Center.

University Initiative Response

Students who are healthy and free from limiting illnesses will be more able to participate in the educational process and employment opportunities.  The University will provide health services that are appropriate to the population.

Planning Objectives

Goal #1                  Provide and facilitate affordable accessible, quality treatment of the student’s primary ambulatory physical health problems, including minor surgery.

Action Steps:

1.    Maintain adequate staffing

2.    Maintain adequate medication and supplies

3.    Maintain student confidentiality

4.    Make appropriate referrals to a community specialist.

5.    Encourage all students to have a health plan.

6.    Maintain healthcare partnerships with a minimum of one major health care provider.

7.    Treat and educate about common diseases

8.    Fill prescriptions appropriately as ordered by the physician.

9.   Provide nursing assessment and care and assist students with self-care.

10.     Support services to women.

Expected Outcome:

1.       To minimize the need for students to delay care or seek care at higher cost community emergency rooms for minor health problems.

Effectiveness Measurement Techniques:

1.   Health Center’s staff and one major area health will provide services to SSU students on site.

2.    Student utilization of Health Center services will be measured.

Goal # 2                 Provide information, screenings and referrals that encourage students to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Action Steps:

1.    Maintain a wide range of health information on site.

2.    Facilitate programs and presentations by community groups and others.

3.    Conduct information sessions in residence halls.

4.    Provide health alerts and information to targeted groups and individuals.

5.    Integrate health services with academic programs.

6.    Staff will participate in training and education.

7.    Provide training, education and staff development.

8.    Seek outside funding for prevention services

9.                     Provide Abstinence information to the freshman population and others using grant funding from the Children and Youth Coordinating Council (CYCC).

Expected Outcome:

1.       Demonstrate the health center’s commitment to healthy styles.

2.       Generate discussion and increase the knowledge of the effects of high-risk behavior among the student population.

3.       Facilitate the acceptance of healthy life-style behaviors

4.        Abstinence information will be included in healthy life style and STD prevention discussions as an acceptable norm.

Effective Measurement Techniques:

1.         A minimum of 20 students will obtain information and referral information.

2.         A minimum of five information sessions for a wide range of students

Goal #3                  Upgrade, replace, and obtain equipment to enhance services.

Action Steps:

1.    Obtain a copy machine.

2.    Obtain a scanner.

3.    TV and VCR for staff and student education.

4.    Use equipment as appropriate and assist others as indicated

Expected Outcome:

2.        To present health and wellness training activities in a didactic and professional manner.

Effective Measurement Techniques:

1.        A copy machine, scanner, TV and VCR are in the Health Center.

Goal #4:                 Obtain student participation in reviewing and planning health services.

Action Steps:

1.    Complete Student Satisfaction Survey.

2.    Maintain a suggestion box on site.

3.       Follow-up complaints, suggestions and recommendations and make appropriate program adjustments.

Expected Outcome:

1.    Services are provided that are desired, needed and appropriate for the population served.

Effective Measurement Techniques:

1.    Harris-McDew Student Health Center Satisfactory Survey completed.

2.    Women’s Health Satisfactory Survey completed.

Goal #5:                 Provide ease of access into the Student Health Center.

Action Steps:

1.    Obtain designated parking places for Health Center students and staff.

2.    To obtain buzzer-opening system for front door bell and back door.

Expected Outcome:

1.       To provide services that are acceptable to the population served and respect the safety concerns of staff and the population served.

Effective Measurement Technique:

1.      Parking spaces and buzzers have been obtained

Last Update: 02/16/01