After months of tracking down data and performing key leader interviews, the community needs assessment recently compiled by the staff at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital made it to the table for a vote Wednesday.

In the meantime, a progress report was given on the hospital's efforts to comply with mandates for the meaningful use of electric health records from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The hospital board approved the assessment and implementation plan at its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, a few weeks ahead of the July 31 deadline. As part of a new requirement from the Internal Revenue Service, Phoebe had until the end of its current fiscal year -- which was the end of this month -- to complete a needs assessment and have it approved by the board. Such an assessment is now expected to be done every three years to avoid a $50,000 fine.

In order to get the needs assessment completed, officials say an internal team gathered data and made contact with more than 30 key leaders -- as well as other individuals in the area -- from November 2011 onward with the goal of defining priorities that need to be addressed in Phoebe's primary coverage area. Among the priorities identified included maternal and child health, mental health and substance abuse, obesity and related acute and chronic diseases as well as health literacy, promotion and awareness.

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