Los Angeles, CA – A just released report from the 2014 HASC Workplace Wellness Survey highlights benchmark information detailing emerging trends in employer-sponsored wellness programs for health care organizations in California. Invitations to participate in the inaugural study were sent out to 384 health care organizations, of which 90 participated.

The survey, issued earlier this year, showed a prevalence rate of 92 percent of survey respondents offering wellness programs, supporting a clear rise in the popularity of health and wellness initiatives. Shifting regulations via the implementation of the Affordable Care Act will further support wellness programs centered around prevention.

Most respondents in this inaugural survey (92 percent) offer a wellness program of some sort, reflecting the growing trend in the prevalence of wellness programs among health care organizations. Of particular note in our survey is the lack of evaluation of the wellness program to determine return on investment (ROI). In this study, only 47 percent of respondents formally evaluate the ROI of their wellness program and of those employers, only 64 percent conduct any kind of evaluation annually.

The intent of the survey was to provide insights into how health care organizations in California implement and evaluate strategic wellness initiatives. The report includes information on wellness program characteristics, measurement and financial outcomes, communications and culture, as well as the wellness survey data. Participants included general acute-care hospital/medical centers, psychiatric hospitals, ambulatory medical clinics, ambulatory surgery centers, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, heart hospitals, orthopedic hospitals, children’s hospitals, continuing care retirement communities, and assisted living facilities. Survey sponsors include Anthem Blue Cross, Keenan and HASC. The survey was created by FutureSense, Inc. in conjunction with the HASC Wellness Taskforce.

“Workplace wellness is gaining in momentum and importance, and creating and promoting a culture of health is increasingly on the forefront at all health care organizations,” said Teri Hollingsworth, vice president, Human Resources Services, HASC. “In future surveys, we expect to go into greater detail regarding questions about ROI, issues driving outcomes, and comparing what successful programs have in common.”

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About the Hospital Association of Southern California

The Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC), founded in 1923, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) regional trade association. HASC is dedicated to serving the political, economic, informational and educational needs of hospitals and to help improve the quality and accessibility of health services. Visit www.hasc.org for more information.