Organizational Change | Cholesterol Evaluation Measures

Organizational change measures for cholesterol screening and control^1-4

Regular cholesterol screening for employees, along with other health behaviors, requires ongoing support from employers. New programs to encourage screening can be added over time and evaluated periodically for their effectiveness. For best results, recognition of the benefits of cholesterol screening should become an inherent part of organizational change and corporate culture.

Measuring organization change is an assessment of company-initiated programs and policies that affect most employees regardless of their health status (e.g., changes of food options in the cafeteria, establishing walking trails on the company campus). These efforts need to be integrated for greatest effectiveness and will require time for full implementation. Regular measures of employee attitudes and program development are key in determining whether new programs are effective or require further adaptation to prevent continuing investment in ineffective efforts.

Baseline

• Determine workplace barriers to regular employee cholesterol screening and control programs
• Assess current workplace supported cholesterol screening and control programs (during the past 12 months) 
  • List current cholesterol screening and control options for employees through worksite and identify number of employees (i.e., participation) using each option. Examples:
    • Number of cholesterol screening and control programs (e.g., on-site screening programs, education seminars, workshops or classes, individual education) and participation in these programs
    • A clinical referral and follow-up program including lifestyle counseling for screened employees with high cholesterol
    • Availability of educational materials (e.g., brochures, videos, newsletters) on cholesterol screening and control and health risks associated with high cholesterol
    • Number of communications/media campaigns regarding cholesterol screening and control
    • Number of health-related policies that enhance worksite lifestyle programs to help employees control their cholesterol (e.g., physical activity and nutrition)
    • Number of environmental strategies to support activities for lifestyle change can be used to reduce high blood cholesterol among employees (e.g., physical activity and nutrition)
    • Number of partnerships with community resources for cholesterol screening and control such as the American Heart Association
  • Determine costs of current company cholesterol screening and control programs such as: 
    • Staffing, equipment, and space
    • Employee time to participate in cholesterol screening programs during work hours (e.g., education, lifestyle counseling)
    • Incentives tied to cholesterol screening programs
    • Costs of current company programs on physical activity, nutrition, tobacco use, and obesity, which are the key worksite-based programs that can affect high blood cholesterol
  • Conduct survey of employee satisfaction with current workplace supported cholesterol screening and control programs

Process

• Reassess barriers to employee engagement in cholesterol screening and control programs
• Document steps taken and progress toward implementing each intervention selected
  • List numeric goals (e.g., desired increases in employee screening rates) in each form of intervention within a designated time period (e.g., 12 months from startup):
    • Employee reach (e.g., number of educational pamphlets distributed)
    • Employee participation (e.g., number of desired participants in cholesterol screening)
• Describe timeline for implementation of each planned intervention (e.g., length of time and timing of tasks to develop, initiate, and conduct a mass campaign)
• Create a baseline budget for new interventions such as worksite communications/media campaigns
• Identify opportunities for new partnerships with community groups who provide cholesterol screening and control programs (e.g., The American Heart Association, local hospital, etc.)
• Reassess employee satisfaction regarding workplace supported cholesterol screening and control programs

Outcome

• Measure reductions in the number and type of employee barriers to cholesterol screening and control programs
• Assess changes in workplace cholesterol screening and control programs including progress in achieving goals and in implementation of each intervention (e.g., length of time and timing of tasks to develop, initiate, and conduct a mass campaign) 
  • Measure changes in the number of cholesterol screening and control options for employees through the worksite and changes in employee participation using each option before and after the program or campaign. Examples: 
    • Number of new programs developed and offered to employees including the number of employees screened and referred for clinical follow-up and lifestyle counseling if found to have elevated blood cholesterol levels
    • Number of new educational materials developed and made available to employees
    • Number of new workplace communications/media campaigns such as posters and brochures
    • Number of new workplace policies and environmental strategies regarding cholesterol screening and control developed and implemented
    • Number of new partnerships with community groups created to enhance access and opportunity for employee cholesterol awareness and screening
  • Assess changes in program costs from baseline (so that a return-on-investment can be calculated) ◾Increases in staffing or equipment needs due to new program offerings
    • Changes in employee participation time during work hours (e.g., education, lifestyle counseling)
    • New incentives or benefits or changes in existing incentives based on employee participation
    • Changes in costs of current company programs on physical activity, nutrition, tobacco use, and obesity, which are the key worksite-based programs that can affect high blood cholesterol
  • Assess changes in survey responses for employee satisfaction following implementation of a workplace supported cholesterol screening and control program and compare with baseline

Depending on goal success, evaluate the need to adjust workplace programs.