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CONNECTER
ARCHIVES

Below is this week's issue of the Connecter newsletter, which is required reading for all employees. The next edition will be published on Monday, October 19, with articles due to connecter@vnacarenetwork.org by Friday, October 16.
KEY DATES THIS WEEK:
  • Wednesday, October 14: Staff Flu Clinic - Danvers
  • Wednesday, October 14: Staff Flu Clinic - Leominster
  • Wednesday, October 14: Staff Flu Clinic - Needham
  • Thursday, October 15: Staff Flu Clinic - Woburn
  • Sunday, October 18: Hospice Memorial Service - Needham
IN THIS ISSUE:

SERVICE EXCELLENCE
October 12, 2015
Volume 4, Issue 41
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
SeEx
Service Standard of the Week: Communication Etiquette

We follow communication standards and expectations when engaging in electronic and telephone communications; ensuring to always use a warm and friendly tone.

Click the button below to brush up on the VNA's Communication Guidelines!


spotlight

Message to Mary Ann O'Connor from an appreciative family member
 
Sandip Vyas recently completed a six-week regimen of physical therapy with my Dad who had a debilitating stroke six years ago this month. Over the years we have  had five different therapists come to the house for my Dad. When Sandip started with him, my Dad was completely helpless; he could not stand up without help, and when he got up, he could not stand up straight and would have to sit right down. Consequently, all transfers were fraught with great danger. In fact, it used to take two people to transfer my Dad safely. Needless to say, this put a great strain on the family.

Now, because of Sandip's thoughtful guidance, we have made tremendous progress with my Dad. We now use a transfer board at all times, and my Dad is getting stronger and stronger every day.

I am very, very impressed with Sandip and what he has been able to accomplish with my Dad. He is clearly like no other therapist who has worked with us. He has changed our lives.

Note from Regina Cunningham, Hospice RN Case Manager
 
I would like to recognize Paul Creedon, PT out of the Worcester Office. He saw one of my hospice patients for a PT consult. He called me immediately after the visit to update me about his findings and concerns for our patient and I learned many things about home safety from just this brief encounter. He was incredibly thorough and reviewed all aspects of the pt's functional limitations and safety concerns. When I visited the pt after Paul's evaluation, both the patient and his wife raved over Paul's kindness, intelligence and compassionate care. I told them I was 100% in agreement. So proud to have a colleague like this!


Message from Marge Morton, Hospice Coordinator in the Needham Office
 
I am in a rather unique position, as I am leaving my position as Needham hospice coordinator at the end of next week. I would like to take a moment to recognize all of the staff in the Needham office: hospice, certified, and rehab. Needham is a constant flurry of activity. From where I sit, I see each person here working diligently, handling difficult situations with professionalism and compassion. At the same time, I see individuals being kind, caring, and supportive towards their co-workers. Many people stand out in my mind as 'beacons of light' here in Needham, but I would like to recognize one person in particular.
 
Sharon Heard has been the hospice clinical services manager for most of my time working at VNACH. Sharon epitomizes the qualities of a great manager- she is understanding, fair, and reasonable. At the same time, she expects those working for her to do their best and holds them to high standards.
Sharon is often here burning the midnight oil well after I leave, and I generally don't leave until after 5:30.
 
A couple of days ago, I received a phone call from an angry family member- for over 10 minutes I listened to her, using the listening skills I had observed Sharon utilize so often. As the conversation progressed, the conversation took on a new direction, as the caller expressed sadness and regret that she was unable to do enough for her father as he was dying. I was able to provide support and by the end of the phone call, she was thanking me for everything hospice did. 
 
I thought to myself how much I have learned from working with Sharon for so long. Thank you for everything Sharon- I will surely miss you!


Daniel Belloise, Director of Transitional Care and Physician Relations received not of praise from Joanne Kaufman, Director of MGH's ICMP Case Managers
 
Joanne Kaufman, Director of ICMP CM, stated how much value Mae Powers brings to the agency, and how she is a valued resource to the team at MGH.


Note from Erica Friend, Clinical Case Coordinator in the Worcester Office
 
I would like to recognize a newer employee who has made a big difference with her exceptional customer service skills.
 
The receptionist in the Worcester office, Sonia Miranda, has been a great addition to the VNA and should be recognized for her cheery, warm personality. She always greets you with a smile and acknowledges every person that walks in and out of the doors of the VNA. It is a very welcoming feeling when entering the building and I know I am not the only person to notice this. A smile can go a long way. Keep up the great work Sonia!! We truly appreciate it!!


Message from Liz Dow, IV Clinical Services Manager to Lauri Auer, Transitional Care/Business Regional Manager
 
I just got a message form Maryellen Halloran, it was so excellent! I can't tell you enough how wonderful is to have information presented in a quick, concise, and complete manner. I so respect and am grateful for this. Please acknowledge Mary Ellen for her excellent work.


Note to Peg Quinlivan, Clinical Services Manager, from Susan Walker, PT in the Worcester Office
 
I just wanted to let you know that it is really awesome having Wendy Minnich as our Team PTA. I never worry about handing a case over to her because she is skilled and gifted and can handle anything. Patients really appreciate her care as well. I just wanted you to know because too often all we hear is complaints.

Please share all your notes of praise and recognition with connecter@vnacarenetwork.org.

SCENESScenes from the Street

Share your pictures from the office or the field with us by sending them to connecter@vnacarenetwork.org!

Submitted by Marie Davis, PT out of the Weymouth office

Here is my "Scene from the Street"! A little scary! Guess I waited to long to give this guy physical therapy! Happy Halloween!

Submitted by Bev Salate, Wellness Manager

This is an example of the line to have a B/P check at the Mayor's Walk in Boston. Manned by Wellness nurses Judy Manning and Jennifer Gangadharan.

We'll need to add more staff for next year!


Submitted by Luz Marina Clinton, Patient Navigator Care Coordination Program

Luz represented the VNA on the Atrius team at the American Heart Association Walk held last month in Boston.


Submitted by Geri Spina, Clinical Services Manager in the Needham office

From Admission Nurse Laurie Connolly to inject a little humor into the ICD-10 implementation.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES
flu
Staff Flu Clinics

It is mandatory for all staff to be immunized against the flu. If you receive the vaccine at another, non-VNA location, you must show proof of receiving the vaccine to be in compliance with the VNA's policy.

Receive your flu shot this week and have your name entered into a drawing for a $100 American Express gift certificate!!

697 staff have received their vaccine so far. Let's keep moving towards our goal of 100%! Note that TB testing is available for VNACN staff at the flu clinics.

Click the FULL ARTICLE button to read more.




Office
Date
Time
Location
Charlestown
10/19/2015
8am to 4pm
Conference Room #2
Charlestown
11/3/2015
8a - 10p
Conference Room #2
Danvers
10/14/2015
7:30am to 10:30am
Boardroom
Leominster
10/14/2015
8am to 11am
 
Needham
10/14/2015
9am to 3pm
Wellness Area
Needham
10/21/2015
9am to 3pm
Wellness Area
Needham
11/4/2015
9am to 3pm
Wellness Area
Needham
11/18/2015
9am to 3pm
Wellness Area
Needham
12/2/2015
9am to 3pm
Wellness Area
Needham
12/9/2015
9am to 3pm
Wellness Area
Quincy
10/22/2015
8a - 10p
Conference Room
Southborough
11/4/2015
10a - 1p
Board Room
Weymouth
10/20/2015
8a - 3p
Conference Room
Woburn
10/15/2015
10a - 12p
Clinical Manager's Office
Woburn
10/15/2015
2p - 4p
Clinical Manager's Office
Woburn
10/22/2015
10a - 12p
Clinical Manager's Office
 
Left to Right: Elizabeth Campbell, NEC President, Elizabeth Dow, and Randall Barnes, past President.
Dow
Dow Receives 'Over and Above' Award

The local New England Chapter (NEC) of the Intravenous Nursing Society (INS), celebrated their 40th birthday on October 8 during their 40th Annual Seminar entitled "One Decade at a Time". Elizabeth Dow, IV Clinical Manager for VNA Care Network, was presented with an "Over and Above" plaque for the work she had done to make the seminar a huge success. Elizabeth is the Programs Director for the chapter, which is one of the largest chapters in the country.

Elizabeth Mena, former IV Clinical Manager, presented one of the several sessions on " Pediatric Oncology - Utilization of Homecare to optimize the patient experience". Overall, there were over 80 attendees, 20 vendor booths, and seven presentations. Donna Muscente, IV Coordinator attended from the VNA.
MOA
Mutual of America Rep in Weymouth Next Monday

Michael Maguire, the Mutual of America retirement plan representative, will be in the Weymouth office on Monday, October 19 from 8:00AM-12:00PM. Please call him at 508-366-2418 to schedule an appointment.



CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
OASISTool
PLEASE Select the Correct OASIS Form
By Kathy Schuft, Clinical Applications Specialist
 
McKesson Users: When you need to select an Oasis form in Go > Clinical Forms please select the correct form based on the M0090 date. If the M0090 date is prior to October 1st you must select the ICD 9 OASIS. If the M0090 date is October 1st or after you must select the ICD 10 form. This includes DC OASIS.
 
Choosing the incorrect form will result in needing to re-document the entire OASIS.  If you have any questions please contact Kathy Schuft at 617-886-6968 or kschuft@vnab.org.


CLINICAL SERVICES
Please note that the Speech Therapy article from last week's Connecter was written by Sue Brent, Speech Therapist out of the Needham office, with input from her team members.

Note the angle and squiggles of the internal mechanism, this should collapse evenly upon itself, not jam up to one side.
IVUpdate
IV Update: Maxi Plus Problem
By Liz Dow, IV Clinical Services Manager
 
The Maxi Plus clave cap has had some issues in the past with the internal positive pressure valve jamming and preventing flow, also with failing to produce the positive pressure the new clave caps produce. One dead giveaway that you will have a problem is if the internal mechanism does not accordion evenly when the lure is used. If you find this issue please contact your vendor immediately, and contact your IV Coordinator or IV Manager to report the issue. Thanks for all you hard work, and have some fun out there!


StandardWork
Standard Work on Communications
By Paula Schultz, Director of Clinical Services
 
As part of the work we have been doing with our Atrius partners to reduce ED and rehospitalization while the patient is on a VNA episode of care we have developed Standard Work for our Communication process. This Standard Work identifies the pathway and expectations for VNA to communicate urgent and non-urgent matters to the medical practice site; for the Medical Practice site to communicate with the VNA and accounting for patients that are in the Intensive Home Based (IHB) of r Heart Failure (HF) programs.



FUND DEVELOPMENT
Thanks
Patients and Families Honor Staff through Thanks for Caring Society

Congratulations to the following staff who were honored in September through a charitable donation to VNA of Boston, VNA Care Network, or VNA Hospice Care:
 
Carolyn Atkeson, PT
Deborah Akrasi, RN
Suzanne Blacker
Elia Borges, RN
Holly Hughes, RN
Galina Brusilovsky
Christine Camoreyt, HSW
Paul Creedon, PT
Jennifer Croke, RN
Paulette Hallihan, RN
Kimberly Hartwell, PT
Nicole Kallio, OTR
Kimberly McLeod, PT
Hulaymatu Kamara, RN
Lisa King, RN
Roberta Lottero, PTA
Pamela Nichols, RN
Mary O'Donnell, R.N.
Kelly O'Malley, RN
Michele Patterson, RN
Carol Porter, RN
Jennifer Stanwich, PT
Nina Weymouth, RN
VNA Care Network & Hospice Staff
 

Gala
Watch for the Heroes in Health Care Gala Billboard
 
If you're driving along 93 North around exit 27 for U.S. 1 North/Tobin Bridge and exit 28 for Sullivan Square, be on the lookout for VNA of Boston's Heroes in Health Care Gala digital billboards. Fund Development secured the donation of billboard space from Clear Channel Outdoor to promote the 10th annual fundraiser for VNA of Boston on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Boston. Learn more at www.bostonvna.org/gala.

Benefits
September Benefits Raise Over $100,000 for Home Health and Hospice Care
 
Thank you to all who helped spread the word and supported our September events. The events raised over $100,000 to support home health and hospice care.

Left to right: Mary Sheils, director of clinical services for hospice; Janet Delmonico, regional manager for transitional care/Eastern Mass.; and Sharon Heard, hospice clinical services manager, make a toast in honor of the evening.
Jazz Concert and Cocktail Party

A little bit of Mardi Gras came to the Needham Golf Club for the second annual Needham Area Community Cabinet benefit for VNA Care Network & Hospice. Guests donned their Mardi Gras beads and danced to the music of Henri Smith New Orleans Friends and Flavours. An impromptu conga line made it's way around the Club to "When the Saints Go Marching In" before the evening came to a close.
Step Out for Hospice Walk/Run

More than 400 walkers and runners turned out for the 18th annual Step Out for Hospice in Woburn. It was a perfect day with blue skies and warm temperatures. McLaughlin-Dello Russo Funeral Home was the lead sponsor for the event. View the Step Out for Hospice photo album at: http://www.facebook.com/VNAHospiceCare

Left to right: Meaghan Gangi, development associate, with Woburn Friends co-chairs Connie McGilvray and Joe McDonough.
Karen Webber, development officer, (center) ran the race with son Dane (left), who placed third for his age group, and daughter Jaclyn (right), who placed second in her age group.






HUMAN RESOURCES
BONUS
Employee Referral Bonus Program Expanded

The referral bonus program has been expanded to include employee referrals for RNs, PTs, OTs and SLPs. If you would like to refer a friend, family member, or colleague, please inform the appropriate Human Resources Representative at your location prior to the applicant coming in for an interview. Please note, when two or more employees refer the same applicant, the referral bonus will be split equally amongst the employees.

Referral bonuses are paid out after the referred employee's three and six month anniversary, as long as they are in a paid status at those intervals.

Please contact Cheryl Milas at cmilas@vnacarenetwork.org or Debbie Brown at dbrown@vnab.org for more information.

JOBS
Job Postings - VNAB and VNAHC
Job Postings - VNACN and VNAHC
To learn more about career opportunities, contact a human resources representative:

EAT
Employee Advisory Team Suggestions

 

To suggest an area of focus to the Employee Advisory Team (EAT), please email your suggestion to EATSuggestionbox@vnab.org. Suggestions can include ideas to improve current processes and procedures, remove redundancies, or even to provide feedback on something you think is/is not working.

Please feel free to discuss any issues that you would like brought to EAT with the following members of the committee: 

  • Liz Bourne
  • Linda Britt
  • Kim Dio
  • Kelly Frew
  • Mary Helen Mahoney
  • Susan Marlin Procter
  • Mary McCarthy
  • Ilona O'Connor
  • Mary Ann O'Connor
  • Mae Powers
  • David Rose
  • Danny Yan
EAT is also on the lookout for new members. If you're interested in participating, or for more information on what EAT is all about, please reach out to any of the members listed above. Meetings are held monthly in the Charlestown office.



QUALITY AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Policies
Updating Policies
By Keith Giannelli, Quality Improvement Analyst and Donna Peters, Director of Quality and Risk Management
 
Currently the VNAB and VNACN, though one organization, have been operating under two different sets of policies. In an attempt to bring these two lonely, disparate groups together under one standard set of policies, the push is on to review all policies for each home care division and standardize them under one flag. All Hail the Foundation!
 
For now, until all policies are united, each division will still maintain their policy manuals structure (Chapter and section numbers and method of access). What you might notice, however, is that you may access a policy that looks very different from what you are used to. Please do not be frightened, it is simply because the format matches the policy that was chosen to be the template for updating. Deep breaths. The end game is to eventually have one manual with standardized chapter names and numbers but in the interim this is the best way to go.
 
Please review the attached grid to learn which policies have so far been updated and the corresponding chapter numbers for each division.  
 
Care Network staff please note: The policy covering admissions, discharges, and transfers (policy 2.3) has now been split into three separate policies; one for each situation (see grid for new section numbers).

Policy Name
VNAB Section #
VNACN Section #
Admission to the VNA
2:01
2.3
Discharge of Patient from the VNA
2:05
2.33
Transfer of Patient from the VNA
2:05A
2.34
HHABN Notices
2:01:01
2.33A
Pain Assessment/ Management
2:02:02
2.5
Medication Management
5:01:04
3.1
Customer Complaints
1:03
4.4*
Infection Prevention and Control
12:01
9.1
Surveillance of Patient Infections
12:02
9.2
Employee Infections
12:03
9.3
TB Exposure Control
12:04
9.4
Exposure Control
12:05
9.5
Exposure Incident
12:06
9.6

*Pending SERS implementation

National
National Physical Therapy Month
By Kyra Mihalick, Rehab Patient Care Manager

October is National Physical Therapy Month! This October, the American Physical Therapy Association is focusing on the importance of healthy aging and how to "Age Well." Over the next few weeks, helpful tips/facts regarding PT and how to "Age Well" will be published in the Connecter. You can read more at www.APTA.org and www.moveforwardPT.com.

Click the FULL ARTICLE button to read more about functional ability.


Encore
Encore Recertification OASIS: New "M" Question: M1011 Inpatient Diagnosis
By Maria Dunn, Patient Care Program Manager
 
As of October 1, 2015, you may have noticed that M1011 (shown below) is now asked on the RECERTIFICATION (Recert/Follow-up) OASIS. Previously this question was only asked at Start of Care (SOC) and Resumption of Care (ROC).


OASIS
Q4 OASIS Schedule

The following are the Q4 OASIS Education schedules. All clinical staff are mandated to attend 1 OASIS Education session per quarter, this includes RN (staff and contract), LPN, clinical managers , PT and PTA's, and clinical coordinators. Quarter 4 will review miscellaneous OA education and COPS.

The QA Department has scheduled out many sessions in all offices for the final quarter of the year to accommodate multiple offerings at multiple sites. Please work out the time that you choose to attend with your individual manager, you may attend at any site.

Quarter 4 Sessions
Office
Day/Date
Time
Presenter
Charlestown
Wednesday, November 04, 2015
8 - 10am
Elaine Gardner
Charlestown
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
2 - 4pm
Kyra Mihalick
Charlestown
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
2 - 4pm
Elaine Gardner
Charlestown
Sunday, November 8, 2015
8 - 10am
Elaine Gardner
Danvers
Wednesday, November 04, 2015
8:30am - 10:30am
Marilyn Bowden
Danvers
Friday, November 06, 2015
8:30am - 10:30am
Marilyn Bowden
Danvers
Monday, November 09, 2015
2 - 4pm
Marilyn Bowden
Danvers
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
8:30am - 10:30am
Marilyn Bowden
Leominster
Thursday, October 29, 2015
8:30am - 10:30am
TBA
Leominster
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
2 - 4pm
TBA
Needham
Tuesday, November 03, 2015
8:30 - 10:30am
Maura Vitello
Needham
Thursday, November 05, 2015
2 - 4pm
Maura Vitello
Needham
Friday, November 13, 2015
8:30 - 10:30am
Maura Vitello
Needham
Sunday, November 15, 2015
8:30 - 10:30am
Maura Vitello
Quincy
Wednesday, November 04, 2015
8 - 10am
Carol Morris
Quincy
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
2 - 4pm
Carol Morris
Quincy
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
8 - 10am
Kyra Mihalick
Southborough
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
2 - 4pm
Maria Dunn
Southborough
Thursday, November 05, 2015
8:30-10:30am
Maria Dunn
Southborough
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
2 - 4pm
Maria Dunn
Weymouth
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
8:30-10:30
Maura Vitello
Worcester
Sunday, October 25, 2015
8:30-10:30am
Christine Gill
Worcester
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
2 - 4pm
Christine Gill
Worcester
Wednesday, November 04, 2015
2 - 4pm
Christine Gill
Worcester
Thursday, November 19, 2015
8:30-10:30am
Christine Gill
PATIENT CARE MANAGERS
Name
Email
Cell
Position
Covering Office
Bowden, Marilyn
774-502-7478
Patient Care Manager
Danvers and
Gloucester
Dunn, Maria
508-688-2449
Patient Care Program Manager
Leominster and Southborough
Gardner, Elaine
617-680-1105
Patient Care Manager
Charlestown
Gill, Christine
774-502-5725
Patient Care Manager
Worcester
Mihalick, Kyra
617-913-6823
Patient Care Manager
VNAB Therapy
Morris, Carol
617-913-3006
Patient Care Program Manager
Quincy
Saxena, Surabhi
774-463-7336
Patient Care Manager
Leominster and Southborough
Vitello, Maura
774-502-7475
Patient Care Manager
Needham

QI SUPPORT
Covering Office
Name
Email
Office Phone
Position
All VNAB
Hughes, Kim
617-886-6501 x5419
QI Support Coordinator
All VNACN
Schultz, Chris
617-886-6501 x6527
QI Support Coordinator
All VNACN
Rao, Shamala
508-756-7176 x6876
QI Nurse




VNA HOSPICE CARE
Washington
A nurse with fatal breast cancer says end-of-life discussions saved her life
From The Washington Post | September 28, 2015

News reports say you will soon make a final decision about paying doctors and other providers who talk to their patients about end-of-life planning, I have a fatal form of breast cancer, and I'd like to tell you how such conversations have allowed me to survive, and live well, in the five years since my diagnosis.


MEMORIAL
October 12, 2015
The Connecter
Volume 4, Issue 41
Confidentiality Notice: The Connecter newsletter is an internal communication intended only for employees of VNA Care Network Foundation and Atrius Health. Information contained within this newsletter includes confidential, proprietary, and privileged content. Unauthorized forwarding, printing, copying, distribution, and/or negligent handling is strictly prohibited and could result in disciplinary action.