Fresh Start
Our flagship employee wellness program

Medisys’ Fresh Start employee wellness program allows companies to identify what issues may be underlying causes of tangible business problems and the program helps companies to develop solutions to those issues. This unique approach allows corporations to determine the baseline health of their employees and to track its progression over time. By targeting wellness initiatives to the root causes of the identified health issues, companies can decrease costs and maximize their ROI while increasing employee morale and engagement.

The Fresh Start program is performed over two on-site visits and includes the following:

First On-site Visit: Medical assessment and benchmark data collection

• Health risk, lifestyle and behaviour questionnaire
  Our questionnaire identifies personal health risks based on information provided to us by the employees. This includes demographic information, family history, personal medical history, behaviour-related risks, smoking habits, quality of life indicators, self care and health planning. The information is used in goal-setting and to encourage increased participation rates prior to the launch of the program.
  
  
• Blood profile and cardiac risk assessment
  By taking complete blood draws—rather than the conventional “fingertip” assessment—Medisys is able to generate an accurate, laboratory-quality, standardized blood profile including glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides.
  
  
• Metabolic syndrome assessment
  People with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of coronary heart disease and other diseases related to plaque build-up in artery walls (e.g. stroke and peripheral vascular disease) and type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome has become increasingly common in Canada. Additionally, a recent study shows a strong correlation between metabolic syndrome and colon cancer. Metabolic syndrome is a combination of several risk factors that can lead to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
  
  
• Blood pressure reading
  High blood pressure is the greatest risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease. Over 40% of persons with high blood pressure are unaware that they have it because there are no symptoms. Screening is vital.
  
  
• Body mass index measurement
  The body mass index is a ratio of weight to height. Studies have shown that the BMI can be classified into ranges associated with specific health risk. Most adults with a high BMI have a high percentage of body fat. Extra body fat is associated with increased risk of health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease and some forms of cancer. A low BMI can be associated with health problems such as osteoporosis and eating disorders.
  
  
• Waist measurement
  Waist circumference is an indicator of abdominal fat. Even if the body mass index is in the “normal weight” range, a large waist circumference can indicate some health risk. Excess fat around the waist and upper body is associated with greater health risk than fat located in the hip and thigh area. A large waist circumference is associated with an increased risk of developing health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Second On-site Visit: Feedback booklet and counselling

• Meeting with health professional
  Each participant meets a health professional to discuss the results and the implications for their health.
  
  
• Personalized report
  Each participant receives a confidential, individualized baseline report comparing their measurements to recommended lab norms and Canadian averages with recommendations on preventive health measures that can be taken to address the identified health risks.

Aggregate report to management:
A health professional evaluates the results of the employees’ health assessments and produces an aggregated, anonymized corporate report to be discussed with the employer. It is completely anonymous but provides valuable information regarding health and lifestyle issues in order to make decisions on where to best focus the employer’s wellness spending.

For more information, please call:
Julie Rousseau
800-499-1394 ext. 3238