STPH 1st Hospital Named WellSpot

STPH 1st HOSPITAL IN LOUISIANA TO EARN
DHH WELLSPOT DESIGNATION

COVINGTON – St. Tammany Parish Hospital is the first hospital in Louisiana to be designated a WellSpot by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals as part of the agency’s recently launched Well-Ahead Louisiana campaign to improve health and wellness throughout the state.

A WellSpot is a place, space or organization that has implemented voluntary changes to make healthy living easier for the citizens. There are three levels, and all WellSpots must be a tobacco-free environment, which STPH became in 2008.

“We are so proud to announce St. Tammany as Louisiana's first hospital to receive WellSpot designation,” said J.T. Lane Public Health Assistant Secretary. “Their designation as a Level Two WellSpot is evidence of their commitment to their patients, staff and to the community. DHH is proud to call St. Tammany a partner in wellness.”

STPH met the following criteria to become a Level Two WellSpot:

• GIFT-designated hospital: Gift (Guided Infant Feeding Techniques) is a certification program for Louisiana hospitals and birthing facilities based on best practices for infant feeding and mother-baby bonding. STPH offers instruction upon birth and beyond to create a positive breastfeeding experience.
• 5210 Partner: STPH has adopted the 5210 Let’s Go program and incorporates its message of healthier eating and more physical activity in many of its classes, including an interactive StoryWalk event earlier this year.
• Complete steps 1-3 of Louisiana Business Group on Health Worksite Wellness toolkit: STPH partnered with Marathon Health late last year to open the Center for Health and Wellness as an on-site wellness resource for its employees to receive the tools, education and support to lead a healthier life.
• Tobacco-free campus policy: STPH designated all of its locations smoke-free in 2008.
• Promote the Louisiana Tobacco Quitline: STPH has added the smoking cessation phone number on many of the tobacco-free signs at its locations in addition to providing the resource during all of its Living Tobacco Free classes.
• Cafeteria includes healthy dining options: Providing healthier dining options in the Cafeteria by providing alternatives to fried foods, setting prices that encourage healthier choices and altering recipes to cut back on sugar and sodium.

“Our goal is to promote health and wellness throughout our hospital, and we encourage each of our employees to also take small steps to improving their overall health,” said Sharon Toups FACHE, STPH senior vice president and chief operating officer. “By meeting the criteria to become a WellSpot, we can further arm our employees with the resources to improve the overall well-being of our community.”

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A full-service acute care facility committed to providing world-class healthcare and the latest technology, St. Tammany Parish Hospital delivers today’s life-improving procedures with the utmost care to area residents with emphasis on wellness, preventive care and disease management close to home. STPH is a self-supporting not-for-profit community hospital; it receives no tax funding. STPH.org