Douglas District Wellness Screening FAQ

How do you feel?

DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT 51-1 and BLACK HILLS CLINICAL LABORATORY

FREE Wellness Screening

FAQ Page

On this page, you will find answers to the following questions.

If you have any other questions, please contact Trista Hedderman at the business office.

What is a screening?
When will it happen?
Who will conduct the screening?
How will it be used by the district?
How can it be used by my physician?
How long will it take?
What is the Questionaire?
How long will it take to get results?
What will the results look like?
Why is the District doing this?
Are the results confidential and who gets to see them?

Is it required?
How do I use the results?
What is assessed?
What is the process?
Will it affect district insurance rates?
Will I have to be gone from class to do it?
Where will it happen?
Is this my only opportunity?
What am I required to do before the screening?
What will the district receive?
Any other questions?

District Home Page

Black Hills Clinical Laboratory Home Page

District Health Insurance Page

Trista Hedderman, Business Manager

400 Patriot Dr.

Box Elder, SD 57719

605-923-0000

What is a screening? A Wellness Assessment is an informational tool that reports an individual's probability of dying from specific diseases over the next ten years. The wellness assessments main effort is to quantify the probable impact of risk factors. It does not detect or diagnose an existing illness; therefore, it differs from health screenings and diagnostic medicine. Instead, it seeks to identify precursors, those risks associated with premature death or serious illness. These are then compared with general population statistics to provide the individual with an appraisal of his or her personal health risks. This comparison allows identification of specific health habits that he or she may then be able to change in an effort to reduce those risks.
The Wellness Assessment is not a set of threats or promises. It helps generate questions about health by opening the door for a health educator to steer a person into an activity that might give them benefit. Simply, the assessment tells the individual how healthy they are with their current lifestyle and how that individual can improve their health-based answers they gave. Many recommendations given on a health risk appraisal report are generally already known by the participant, yet many people do not act on this knowledge. The Wellness Assessment is helpful because it gives more information by which to measure personal risks, and hopefully, it sparks interest in improving health and vitality.

When will it happen? The designated dates for the screening are November 16-19. The specific date for each building is yet to be determined. Each building will receive more information to include an appointment sign-up sheet for the staff.

Who will do it? Members of Black Hills Clinical Laboratory, 2805 5th street. For more information, call Clin Lab at 343-2267 or go to www.clinlab.com

How will it be used by the district? The district will use the information to be more keenly aware of health risk issues which may or may not impact the district. The district will use the information to determine whether assistance can or should be provided to improve the wellbeing of its employees. Further, the information this year will be used to establish a baseline of over-all district health so it can be easily determined whether efforts are successful. It is important to remind you that the information the district will receive will not include individual names or reports.

How can it be used by my physician? Much of this information is requested by physicians when doing any prescribing and/or investigative work. Clin Lab will forward results to your physician at your request. Your physician will determine how it may be used.

How long will it take? The entire screening process should take less than 10 minutes. In fact, appointments are tentatively scheduled each 5 minutes. You will be provided a short questionairre to complete in advance of your appointment.

What is the Questionaire? The Wellness Assessment Program process for the individual begins with a printed, confidential questionnaire about health and current lifestyle. For accurate completion of the questionnaire, a wellness assessment provides the opportunity to measure blood pressure, cholesterol, and body composition. After completing the questionnaire, each participant receives a personal report from a computer analysis of the answers. The report tells how each individual can increase your chances of feeling vital, looking better and living well. It gives feedback on the positive and negative influences in their life that effect health. Several charts on the personal report help to understand current level of health risks and how to aim for new vitality by improving health.
The report shows how some lifestyle behaviors, such as smoking, seat belt use and drinking, put individuals at risk of certain illnesses and common causes of death. Additionally, it offers advice on how to improve the chances of avoiding these kinds of health problems with suggestions such as exercising, stopping smoking or lowering blood pressure.

How long will it take to get results? You will receive results at the mailing address you specify within 7-10 days of completing the screening.

What will the results look like? Click here for WORD version of Health Guide and Report

Why is the District doing this?
Because it is important that you be continuously aware of your health. Healthy employees are happy and productive employees.

Lifestyle choices have more of an effect on the leading causes of death than any other factors. The most conservative estimates attribute at least 53% of deaths (and productive years lost) to individual habits and health behaviors -- their lifestyles. An easy way to think of it is that health is a by-product of the way we choose to live our lives.
Helping people grasp the impact of their own lifestyle choices is not always easy when many of the adult leading causes of death is the result of years of health abuse or ignorance. Smoking a cigarette today will not kill you tonight, but the risk of premature death certainly increases. Other factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol, play an important role in compounding the risk.
Wellness profiles help identify the risk factors over which you have some control. Wellness profiles are instruments that quantify mortality risk. Each question has a rationale and focuses on determining certain information that can help participants learn more about their current health behaviors and habits. Based on their level of knowledge about various health habits and behaviors, participants may wish to make some key changes that will have an impact on their lives.

Are the results confidential and

who gets to see them?
Yes. Your results will be mailed to the address you designate. The district will not receive employee specific information. Click here to view Clin Labs' Privacy Policy.

Is it required? No, but it is strongly encouraged. While this is free to you through Douglas, the cost to you to do this on your own is approximately $60. This is a great opportunity and your health is important. As a side note, the district may offer prizes and other incentives for your participation.

How do I use the results? Given your results, you can decide what life-style changes should or should not be made to improve your energy and quality of life.

What is assessed? Click here to see a breakdown of test information

What's the process?
Prior to the assessment, you will sign-up for an appointment time most convenient for you.

You will be given a questionnaire that is to be filled out and brought to the initial assessment. Participants also need to fast overnight (12 hours) to make for an accurate blood test. No special attire is necessary.

At the time of the assessment you will be asked to hand in the questionnaire. Then your blood will be drawn for a Lipid Panel and Glucose test. At this time an assessment will be performed of body composition, blood pressure, and resting pulse also. The assessment only takes approximately 5 minutes.

Once the evaluation is completed, you will receive a confidential health profile within 7 to 10 days. This profile will explain the results of both the blood work and the questionnaire and offer suggestions. Clinical Laboratory encourages individuals to call their physician with questions or concerns about their results.

Will it affect district insurance rates? No. A Group assessment does not affect the rates provided by an insurer nor the rates to the insured. No information from this screening will be shared with First American Administrators.

Will I have to be gone from class to do it? You are free to make an appointment during a planning period. appointments will be completed before lunch. If you must miss a portion of a class due to competition, please see your building secretary and/or administrator to make arrangements. We will accommodate.

Where will it happen? Black Hills Clinical Lab technitions will conduct the screening in your building or designated area on the Douglas District Campus.

Is this my only opportunity? At this point, the dates established are your only opportunities to take advantage of this free assessment. The district intends to continue this benefit to employees on a yearly basis.

What am I required to do before the screening? Sign up and consume only water for a 12 hour period before the screening.

What will the district receive? The district will receive a group summary report. The report will give statistical averages of a number of health related issues including age breakdown, exercise habits, fat intake, salt intake, smoking, second-hand smoking, Blood pressure, cholesterol and many others. The averages will include entire group and building averages. No specific names of employees are shared.

What is a screening?	A Wellness Assessment is an informational tool that reports an individual's probability of dying from specific diseases over the next ten years. The wellness assessments main effort is to quantify the probable impact of risk factors. It does not detect or diagnose an existing illness; therefore, it differs from health screenings and diagnostic medicine. Instead, it seeks to identify precursors, those risks associated with premature death or serious illness. These are then compared with general population statistics to provide the individual with an appraisal of his or her personal health risks. This comparison allows identification of specific health habits that he or she may then be able to change in an effort to reduce those risks. The Wellness Assessment is not a set of threats or promises. It helps generate questions about health by opening the door for a health educator to steer a person into an activity that might give them benefit. Simply, the assessment tells the individual how healthy they are with their current lifestyle and how that individual can improve their health-based answers they gave. Many recommendations given on a health risk appraisal report are generally already known by the participant, yet many people do not act on this knowledge. The Wellness Assessment is helpful because it gives more information by which to measure personal risks, and hopefully, it sparks interest in improving health and vitality.
When will it happen?	The designated dates for the screening are November 16-19. The specific date for each building is yet to be determined. Each building will receive more information to include an appointment sign-up sheet for the staff.
Who will do it?	Members of Black Hills Clinical Laboratory, 2805 5th street. For more information, call Clin Lab at 343-2267 or go to www.clinlab.com
How will it be used by the district?	The district will use the information to be more keenly aware of health risk issues which may or may not impact the district. The district will use the information to determine whether assistance can or should be provided to improve the wellbeing of its employees. Further, the information this year will be used to establish a baseline of over-all district health so it can be easily determined whether efforts are successful. It is important to remind you that the information the district will receive will not include individual names or reports.
How can it be used by my physician?	Much of this information is requested by physicians when doing any prescribing and/or investigative work. Clin Lab will forward results to your physician at your request. Your physician will determine how it may be used.
How long will it take?	The entire screening process should take less than 10 minutes. In fact, appointments are tentatively scheduled each 5 minutes. You will be provided a short questionairre to complete in advance of your appointment.
What is the Questionaire?	The Wellness Assessment Program process for the individual begins with a printed, confidential questionnaire about health and current lifestyle. For accurate completion of the questionnaire, a wellness assessment provides the opportunity to measure blood pressure, cholesterol, and body composition. After completing the questionnaire, each participant receives a personal report from a computer analysis of the answers. The report tells how each individual can increase your chances of feeling vital, looking better and living well. It gives feedback on the positive and negative influences in their life that effect health. Several charts on the personal report help to understand current level of health risks and how to aim for new vitality by improving health. The report shows how some lifestyle behaviors, such as smoking, seat belt use and drinking, put individuals at risk of certain illnesses and common causes of death. Additionally, it offers advice on how to improve the chances of avoiding these kinds of health problems with suggestions such as exercising, stopping smoking or lowering blood pressure.
How long will it take to get results?	You will receive results at the mailing address you specify within 7-10 days of completing the screening.
What will the results look like?	Click here for WORD version of Health Guide and Report
Why is the District doing this?	Because it is important that you be continuously aware of your health. Healthy employees are happy and productive employees. Lifestyle choices have more of an effect on the leading causes of death than any other factors. The most conservative estimates attribute at least 53% of deaths (and productive years lost) to individual habits and health behaviors -- their lifestyles. An easy way to think of it is that health is a by-product of the way we choose to live our lives. Helping people grasp the impact of their own lifestyle choices is not always easy when many of the adult leading causes of death is the result of years of health abuse or ignorance. Smoking a cigarette today will not kill you tonight, but the risk of premature death certainly increases. Other factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol, play an important role in compounding the risk. Wellness profiles help identify the risk factors over which you have some control. Wellness profiles are instruments that quantify mortality risk. Each question has a rationale and focuses on determining certain information that can help participants learn more about their current health behaviors and habits. Based on their level of knowledge about various health habits and behaviors, participants may wish to make some key changes that will have an impact on their lives.
Are the results confidential and who gets to see them?	Yes. Your results will be mailed to the address you designate. The district will not receive employee specific information. Click here to view Clin Labs' Privacy Policy.
Is it required?	No, but it is strongly encouraged. While this is free to you through Douglas, the cost to you to do this on your own is approximately $60. This is a great opportunity and your health is important. As a side note, the district may offer prizes and other incentives for your participation.
How do I use the results?	Given your results, you can decide what life-style changes should or should not be made to improve your energy and quality of life.
What is assessed?	Click here to see a breakdown of test information
What's the process?	Prior to the assessment, you will sign-up for an appointment time most convenient for you. You will be given a questionnaire that is to be filled out and brought to the initial assessment. Participants also need to fast overnight (12 hours) to make for an accurate blood test. No special attire is necessary. At the time of the assessment you will be asked to hand in the questionnaire. Then your blood will be drawn for a Lipid Panel and Glucose test. At this time an assessment will be performed of body composition, blood pressure, and resting pulse also. The assessment only takes approximately 5 minutes. Once the evaluation is completed, you will receive a confidential health profile within 7 to 10 days. This profile will explain the results of both the blood work and the questionnaire and offer suggestions. Clinical Laboratory encourages individuals to call their physician with questions or concerns about their results.
Will it affect district insurance rates?	No. A Group assessment does not affect the rates provided by an insurer nor the rates to the insured. No information from this screening will be shared with First American Administrators.
Will I have to be gone from class to do it?	You are free to make an appointment during a planning period. appointments will be completed before lunch. If you must miss a portion of a class due to competition, please see your building secretary and/or administrator to make arrangements. We will accommodate.
Where will it happen?	Black Hills Clinical Lab technitions will conduct the screening in your building or designated area on the Douglas District Campus.
Is this my only opportunity?	At this point, the dates established are your only opportunities to take advantage of this free assessment. The district intends to continue this benefit to employees on a yearly basis.
What am I required to do before the screening?	Sign up and consume only water for a 12 hour period before the screening.
What will the district receive?	The district will receive a group summary report. The report will give statistical averages of a number of health related issues including age breakdown, exercise habits, fat intake, salt intake, smoking, second-hand smoking, Blood pressure, cholesterol and many others. The averages will include entire group and building averages. No specific names of employees are shared.