News & Current Events

July 9, 2007

VISITING NURSE SERVICE PRESENTED AWARD OF MERIT

July 9, 2007, Indianapolis, In – Health Care Excel, the Indiana Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) honored Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) for meeting established criteria for the Medicare QIO’s Home Health Quality Improvement Award of Merit and providing quality health care to the Medicare beneficiaries they serve.

VNS has participated with the Medicare QIO in the Home Health Quality Initiative to improve its performance for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)-selected publicly reported outcome measures such as reduction in avoidable acute care hospitalization, or one of the other publicly reported outcome measures selected by the agency.

“VNS has shown that perseverance and determination will improve patient outcomes,” said Sheila Cheek, RN, Home Health Clinical Coordinator, Indiana Medicare QIO.  “The agency has strived for a common goal to benefit the aging population in their community, and the QIO is proud to recognize VNS for its hard work and dedication.”

The Award of Merit was presented to VNS at the May 2007 Annual Indiana Association of Home and Hospice Care Conference (IAHHC) in Indianapolis.

May 10, 2007

VISITING NURSE SERVICE’S JOHN PIPAS WINS
2007 NORAH J. MCFARLAND AWARD FROM THE IAHHC

May 10, 2007, Indianapolis, In –Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) is proud to announce that Chief Executive Officer, John L. Pipas is the recipient of the 2007 Norah J. McFarland award from the Indiana Association for Home and Hospice Care, Inc. (IAHHC). This award is given to individuals who exhibit leadership, integrity, years of community service and more. It is the IAHHC’s highest award.

John has proven to be an extraordinary leader for Visiting Nurse Service. He led VNS through a most difficult period, enabling the agency to remain financially stable in the face of severe restrictions on reimbursements, all while maintaining staff morale. John’s impact on home care has influenced progress and positive change at the local, state, regional, and national level as attested by his innovative ideas that promote the long-term growth and development of the industry. Most recently, VNS has transitioned to an electronic medical record and point of care system for field staff with continual advances in technology through the use of telehealth monitoring units, telephonic scheduling, and the implementation of disease management programs.

With all of these advances in technology, John also looked into the physical needs of the Indianapolis community. He, along with the Strategic Planning Committee of VNS began research and fundraising efforts toward opening a non-regulated facility for terminally ill, indigent individuals. From this research, the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home was born. Today, almost three years after its opening, more than 80 people have sought refuge, love, and comfort at the end of life’s journey in the comforts of the home.

These are just a few reasons why John was chosen as the 2007 Norah J. McFarland Award recipient. This list continues on. John has been a great asset to the community and an even better leader to VNS. His efforts in the business as well as the community are greatly appreciated and we are proud to say that he is greatly deserving of this esteemed award.

March 22, 2007

VNS WINS HEALTH CARE HERO AWARD

March 22, 2007, Indianapolis, IN — On Friday, March 9, 2007, the Indianapolis Business Journal named Visiting Nurse Service, Inc. (VNS) as a Health Care Hero for Community Achievement in Health Care. VNS was honored to receive such an award, especially with the distinguished list of nominees.

After the budgetary restrictions introduced in 1997, VNS had to get back to basics with a large reduction in staff. John L. Pipas, President and CEO, began the groundwork to rebuild the not-for-profit company with a 5-year strategic plan to place them back on top. This plan included partnering with hospitals to provide home health care & hospice to their patients. The plan allowed for a “hospital without walls” by caring for patients in their own homes. This allowed hospitals to have more available beds, serve more patients, and better meet their own strategic goals.  The partnerships continue to grow today, as technology and special programs lead the way for innovative community service. VNS is partner to 3 hospital systems and 12 hospitals.

“We can provide the best services because we are dedicated to one business, quality hospice & home care,” said Pipas. Through the hard work and dedication of the staff and volunteers at VNS, they have grown from serving just six central Indiana counties in 1996 to serving 30 counties in 2006. This makes VNS the largest home care provider in the state, and therefore being honored with the selection as a Health Care Hero Award Winner in the Community Achievement in Health Care category.

December 19, 2006

Visiting Nurse Service Announces Their Ranking As One Of The 2006 HomeCare Elite™

December 18, 2006: Indianapolis, IN — Visiting Nurse Service, Inc. announces their inclusion in the 2006 HomeCare Elite, the inaugural compilation of the most successful home care providers in the United States.

This ground-breaking review names the top 25 percent of those agencies whose performance measures in quality, improvement and financial performance are the best. This is the first in a series of HomeCare Elite reports, lists, articles and features that will examine different views of the data, including regional analysis, and the underlying components of agency success.

“We applaud the success of all the providers named to the 2006 HomeCare Elite”, said Bill Bassett, Senior Director of Market Strategy at OCS, Inc. “Being noted as one of the top performers in the nation in this very competitive environment shows an agency is dedicated to quality and performance.”

“VNS is proud of its 94 year history and service to this community. We are honored by this ranking in the HomeCare Elite, and realize that the dedication of our staff makes this recognition possible,” said John Pipas, CEO of Visiting Nurse Service. “We have always felt that serving the community was one of the most important aspects of our profession. We don’t take any of it lightly. Our associates are not only part of our company; they are part of our heart. We know that each time a home care or hospice visit is made, the best of ourselves is there to represent us and the care we provide to others.”

About OCS
Founded by a pioneer in the area of home care outcomes, OCS has provided organizations with performance improvement solutions since 1992. With over 1500 corporate clients spanning all 50 states, OCS maintains the nation’s largest proprietary home care, hospice and private duty benchmark databases comprised of patient-level data across all business components - clinical, financial, operational, visit utilization and patient satisfaction. OCS uses this information to offer the providers, consultants, investors and product companies with relevant research and industry education, as well as business intelligence products and services. Endorsed by trade associations throughout the country and recommended by major MIS vendors, OCS is the premier quality management vendor for post acute care. For more information, access OCS’ web site at www.ocsys.com or call 206.325.3396.

Other News related topics

More Information About the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home

The Abbie Hunt Bryce home is located at 4760 Pennwood Drive in Indianapolis. VNS spent four years researching the need and developing the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home to serve the terminally ill homeless and those persons of very limited financial resources. The first resident arrived in July 2004.

The Abbie Hunt Bryce Home was named to honor the founder of VNS. At the turn of the century, Mrs. Bryce was a tireless champion of home-based services to the poor of Indianapolis. This modern-day extension of her work provides a home for those who need a place in which to live their final days.

Funds for operation of the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home are through private contributions and foundation grants. The estimated annual operational cost is $300,000 per year. There are no governmental dollars used to support the residence.

Facilities

The Abbie Hunt Bryce Home consists of three townhouse units; each self-sufficient town home has four bedrooms, two and one-half baths, a kitchen, living room, and dining room space. There is a common garden area in back of the units. The structures are two-story, but residents will only use the lower level. The upper levels will be used for conference areas, community meetings and storage. There is also a detached three-car garage.

Criteria for Admission and Referral Sources

Residents are referred from a variety of sources including hospitals, charitable organizations (homeless shelters, missions, etc), doctors, hospice programs, family members, faith organizations, or self-referrals.

Acceptance into the residence will be based on financial need and a physician’s certification that the applicant is terminally ill. Support in the daily activities of living will be premised on the level of family assistance that a resident might expect to receive in their own home.

Meals are served in the dining room of each residence or in the resident’s room, depending on the choice and condition of each resident.

Staff

Full-time staff includes Margo Martin, Home Administrator, and Barb Mathauer, Home Manager. Additional part-time staff includes Home Assistants and Companions.

Volunteers

The VNS Home relies heavily on volunteer assistance. Volunteers are responsible for various tasks such as meal preparations, laundry, answering the phone and greeting guests and various necessary errands and tasks. For more information about the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home call (317) 860-0484.

Telehealth Information

Telehealth is an in-home monitoring system that electronically sends vital health care information back to a central computer station & data bank, which is monitored by a registered nurse. Items that can be monitored include such vitals as weight, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, glucose meter, peak flow meter and a pocket electrocardiogram device. These are recorded and then transmitted via a phone line to the VNS Telehealth nurse for evaluation. Should an established disease parameter be exceeded, the nurse can immediately discuss this information with the patient, or the patient’s physician to possibly change medications, treatment or to immediately schedule a home visit. This allows VNS and the patient to be proactive and triage a situation before it becomes and an emergency. The peace of mind and security that these monitors bring to our patients is immeasurable and levels of satisfaction continue to grow with patients and physicians alike.

VNS continues to seek corporate and philanthropic support for growth in this program throughout its thirty county service area. Telehealth is considered leading edge clinical support but no funding is made available for its use from most insurers or government programs.

For more information call Visiting Nurse Service at (317) 722-8200, and ask for the Telehealth representative.

Free Support Groups Availablefor Children and Teens Coping with Divorce or Death

Kokomo- Crossroads Community Church and VNS Howard Regional Hospice are co-sponsoring DC4K, which stands for Divorce and Death Care for Kids and Teens, a 12-week program to help young people in 1 st through 8 th grades heal from the hurt caused by either divorce or the death of a loved one. The program includes games, crafts, music and DVD dramas that create a fun atmosphere where children feel comfortable and accepted. Topics and activities help children move through the healing process and springboard into meaningful discussions.

“After the death of a loved one or when going through a divorce, parents are so overwhelmed by their own emotions and additional responsibilities. Children see that hurt and often don’t express their own feelings in order to protect the parent. DC4K gives kids a place where they can safely express their feelings in a non-judgmental environment,” says Joyce Brooks, Chaplain of VNS Howard Regional Hospice.

DC4K meets on Monday evening from 6:00PM – 8:00PM at Crossroads Community Church located at US 31 South and State Road 26 East in Kokomo. There is no cost. Parents just need to register their children by calling Cathy Smith at 453-4626, extension 15 or Joyce Brooks at 453-8558.

DivorceCare and GriefShare are held at the same time for parents, and they can get more information by calling the same numbers.

For additional information on DC4K, call Joyce Brooks, Chaplain of VNS Howard Regional Hospice at (765) 453-8558.

Free Support Groups Available to Howard County Residents

Kokomo – VNS (Visiting Nurse Service) Howard Regional Home Care and Hospice, a nonprofit United Way-affiliated home health care and hospice agency has support groups available to the Kokomo community. There is no cost to attend any of these groups and they are offered at various locations.

“During the holidays, people often push aside life’s problems. As the New Year begins, and the normal routine returns, people begin again to deal with issues in their lives. VNS offers support for those dealing with Alzheimer’s and grief, “ says Joyce Brooks, VNS Hospice Chaplain.

Alzheimer’s Association Affiliated Caregivers Support Group

This group meets at the VNS Howard Regional Home Care and Hospice Office, located at 2800 S. Reed Road in Kokomo, the first Tuesday of every month at 6:00PM. For more information contact Sue Flasche at (765) 453-8357.

Walking through Grief

Walking is a healthy way to help cope with grief. Join Howard Regional Hospice every Wednesday at 8:00AM at the Kokomo Mall. Meet at the southeast mall entrance near Elder Beerman. No cost or registration is required. For more information call Joyce Brooks, Hospice Chaplain, at (765) 453-8558.

DC4Kids

This is a grief support program for children grades 1 – 8 and coping with divorce or the death of a loved one. It is co-sponsored by Crossroads Community Church. Meetings are every Monday evening from 6:00PM – 8:00pm at Crossroad Community Church located at 4254 S. 00 E.W. in Kokomo. Classes run through March 31. There is no cost; however, parents must call (765) 453-4626, ext. 15 to register their children.

Grief Gatherings

June 6, 2005
VNS Home for Terminally Ill Celebrates First Year of Service
Jeannie Keating, Media Coordinator

“Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do…but how much love we put in that action.”

-Mother Teresa

(Indianapolis) The Abbie Hunt Bryce Home, a shelter for the terminally ill homeless or without financial resources, will celebrate its first year of operation with a picnic on Sunday, June 12 from 4 - 7pm. The Abbie Hunt Bryce Home was built by Visiting Nurse Service, Inc. and is located at 4760 Pennwood Drive in Indianapolis.

The picnic is by invitation only and will bring together the current Home residents, surviving family of former residents, committee members, hospice teams, palliative care teams, and home volunteers. VNS is grateful to Eastern Star Choir who will perform for the occasion.

“Time has gone so quickly, but the memories of the forty seven people we helped in the final chapter of their lives will last forever”. The Bryce Home is the only one of its kind in Indiana, and has received National commendation & recognition for the community service we provide.

- John L. Pipas, President & CEO, VNS Healthcare System

How does the Home Operate?

The operation of the residence is dependent upon private contributions and foundation grants. Contributions can be made to VNS and sent to the Visiting Nurse Service Foundation at 4701 North Keystone, Indianapolis, 46205. Please designate the donation should go to the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home.

Criteria for Admission

Acceptance is based on the lack of resources or access to receive care in another setting and the willingness of a hospice to oversee the resident's plan of care. Referrals for the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home come from a number of community resources including hospitals, charitable organizations such as shelters and social service agencies, physicians, hospice programs, faith organizations, the patient or family members.

Volunteers

VNS continues to interview and train volunteers to assist with all activities of the Bryce Home. Interested individuals or groups should contact VNS at 722-8200, and ask for Volunteer Coordinator, Debra Cline, for more information.

Volunteer activities at the Bryce Home include:

• Food preparation
• Laundry & clothing
• Personal support and companionship
• Housecleaning
• Recreational activities
• Office assistance and reception
• Gardening and grounds care
• Spiritual activities
• Transportation

In 2004 volunteers donated over 2,500 hours to the Abbie Hunt Bryce Home providing a cost savings of over $43,000.