title: What can be learned from the types of community benefit programs that hospitals already have in place?
abstract: After implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) how will tax-exempt hospitals adjust their community benefit programs to maintain their non-profit status? This literature review categorized existing hospital-based community benefit programs by reviewing published articles that met the following inclusion criteria: affiliated or funded by a hospital; described the program design; focused on community benefit or outreach; evaluated program outcomes; located within the United States. Of 4,917 original citations, we reviewed 265 full-text articles. One hundred and six (106) programs met all inclusion criteria and were used to develop a hospital-based community benefit program taxonomy. Results indicate that programs to enhance patient care, clinic-based programs and programs with a community partner make up the majority of community benefit programs (25%, 28% and 31%, respectively). Few programs were rigorously evaluated or provide evidence of program impact. Hospitals should work with public health professionals to design, implement, and evaluate their community benefit programs.
authors.forename: Jessica G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steenrod
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gibert
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Folb
authors.forename: Ahlam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saleh
authors.forename: Everette
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D006788:Hospitals, Voluntary / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D019464:Tax Exemption / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*