THE EVALUATION OF AN EMPLOYEE SELF-CARE PROGRAM

A self-care program that helped employees make better medical decisions to increase efficient and appropriate use of medical care was implemented at a large hospital in Orlando, Florida. Hospital employees were given a low-cost 72-page booklet called the HealthyLife(R) Self-Care Guide. An evaluation of 801 employees demonstrated a $75.30-per-employee savings in five months. This savings resulted from 265 fewer physician visits and 99 fewer emergency room visits. Employees also experienced 167 fewer days of absence from work. Based upon the cost of the booklet and the savings that occurred, the hospital experienced a 55:1 return on investment. In addition, 63% of the employees stated that the Guide had positively affected their families. It appears that this self-care guide can reduce an organization's health-care costs.