A community survey from Knoxville Hospital and Clinics is seeking public input into what potential clients and patients are seeking from the hospital, and what it can do to meet their needs.

The public is being asked to fill out the survey and tell the hospital staff what they want to see provided in the future; this assessment is done every three years, and is required of all tax-exempt hospitals under the Affordable Care Act.

Ginny Krichau is the director of patient experience for Knoxville Hospital and Clinics; she tells KNIA/KRLS News the survey addresses a variety of needs in Marion County which go beyond medicine.

“We ask them what they feel the biggest issues are, whether it relates to substance abuse, ranging from that to medical needs to day care; and then we also want to know basically what do we not have, what are we missing — what services do you currently receive outside of the county, and that you kind of wish you could have here,” Krichau says.

Maggie Hamilton-Beyer is the chief financial officer for KHC; she says the survey isn’t just being done to comply with regulations — it’s essential for their long-term planning.

“We’ve used that data before to compile our operating budgets, and also strategic planning,” Hamilton-Beyer says. “What things are important in the community, that we should be addressing.”

The community health needs assessment is available on the hospital’s website from now until March 15th.