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Health and Productivity: Healthquest
Pinnacle West provides an environment that offers opportunities to encourage healthy lifestyles and informed decision-making to better manage health costs and positively impact individual health and productivity. One annual company-wide event – Healthquest – is a voluntary, company paid health screening conducted by an outside worksite wellness vendor at over 28 site locations throughout the company.
Healthquest offers a convenient way for employees to help identify and support healthy lifestyle behaviors. All participants receive a health evaluation which offers a health risk assessment survey, blood pressure check, body weight, step test to determine heart rate fitness and a take-home colorectal screening kit. The comprehensive lab screen includes tests for cholesterol, glucose, kidney and liver function, anemia, electrolytes and complete blood count. For men, a prostate (PSA) screen is offered and for women, an osteoporosis-bone density screen.
After the screening, a confidential report is sent to the participant’s home, along with lifestyle change tools and healthy Web site information to help interpret results and take action.
In 2004, 38 percent of eligible APS employees took advantage of this valuable information. Participation increased from 47 to 49 percent in Customer Operations and Metro Operations (Meter Reading/Field services) showed an increase from 33 to 40 percent. There was a 64 percent increase in the number of men electing to participate in the PSA (prostate specific antigen) screening.
Employee Testimonials
The following story is from an employee who benefited from the company’s health programs:
Participating in Healthquest literally can make the difference between life and limb, sight and blindness. One employee found out something he still has some difficulty saying ─ “I have diabetes.”
Though he participated in Healthquest in years past, the statement to “see his doctor” in black and white prompted him this time to take notice.
He credits the Healthquest program and the company’s disease management program, Healthy Returns, used by employees to learn more about diseases, for helping him keep his blood-sugar level and weight on track. His experience prompted him to encourage others, especially men, to participate. Throwing away his “big pants” after losing weight, symbolizes he’s adamant about never going back to the see-saw weight game.
The following excerpt is from letter from another employee who found she had osteoporosis:
“I have been going to Healthquest for at least six years. I went this year and the bone density test showed I was in the danger zone. The attendant advised I go see my doctor and bring the report they had printed for me for a follow-up with him about the results of the test.
I made an appointment immediately with my doctor who sent me for a body scan. The results were unfortunately not good. I have osteoporosis. He prescribed medication for me and he feels we caught it early enough that the medication and proper diet and exercise will help stop the further deterioration.
Without Healthquest I never would have gone to the doctor for a bone scan. Hopefully, catching this early enough I will get it under control. How can I say thank you for giving me the opportunity to help myself, get the proper medication, etc. that will enable me to live a much better life and to enjoy my retirement. My husband and family thank you and APS for making Healthquest possible.”
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