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Weekly Newsletter for Employees of VNA Care Network Foundation
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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, December 21, with articles due to connecter@vnacarenetwork.org by Friday, December 18.
KEY DATES TO REMEMBER:
  • Tuesday, December 15: Town Hall Meeting > Southborough
  • Tuesday, December 15: VNAB Weekend and Holiday Sign-Up
  • Wednesday, December 16: Medispan Update
  • Wednesday, December 16: VNAB Weekend and Holiday Sign-Up
  • Thursday, December 17: VNAB Weekend and Holiday Sign-Up
  • Friday, December 18: Last Chance for Fund Development Drawing
IN THIS ISSUE:

SERVICE EXCELLENCE
December 14, 2015
Volume 4, Issue 50
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
SEStand
Service Standard of the Week:
Workplace Safety

We assess and maintain a safe work environment.

Attributes of Workplace Safety:
  • Think Safety first. Each employee is responsible for assessing and maintaining a safe work environment for staff and patients.
  • Be aware of all safety procedures, and report unsafe situations to your manager immediately.



Champion
Everyone Plays a Role in Achieving a Safe Workplace
By Lorraine Potter, Director of Facilities

Workplace safety can range from having your workspace free of trip/fall hazards (i.e. wires, extra pair of shoes under the desk) to letting a visitor enter one of our offices without knowing whom they are there to see. We have policies in place to protect our staff against known and unknown events, and rely on everyone to uphold those policies to ensure their own safety and that of their co-workers.
 
I want to take the opportunity of this week's Service Standard of Workplace Safety to address the topic of ID badges and admitting visitors into our offices. Your ID badge is a key to the VNA "Kingdom". Each employee has right of entry to the location(s) they work out of, and in some cases access to areas within the office that are restricted. This is to protect sensitive information and to allow for better control and monitoring of our organization's resources (i.e. supplies, IT equipment, etc.).
 
All VNA employees are issued ID badges, which should be prominently displayed and accessible. We all need to make it our standard practice to swipe into the office each and every time we enter. It is not uncommon to feel compelled to hold open doors for people entering the office behind you. You do not want to appear rude, and now that we geographically spread out, it is hard to know if someone is an employee of the VNA or a visitor.
 
One reason to swipe in and track visitors is it is incredibly important in an emergency to be able to quickly determine who is in our office space. Another is that we are all responsible for protecting the integrity of our patient's personal information. Regardless of our role in the organization, we can all do our part to ensure that only those with permission have access to sensitive information. Additionally, when entering a patient's home, it is important that you are quickly identified as a VNA employee and that you have a right to be granted entry.
 
Here are some rules of thumb:
  • Do not let anyone piggy back into the office with you.
  • If someone enters with you and does not swipe an ID badge, assume they are a visitor and direct them to the front desk to sign in. The receptionists are trained to ask questions before letting anyone into our workspace and they do a great job protecting us! 
  • Always be aware of your surroundings. If you notice an exposed wire, a faulty smoke detector, or even a cracked/broken window, please notify the Facilities Department immediately.
  • If you or a member of your staff need access to office locations not currently accessible, the manager of the Team/Dept should send a request to Tim Anderson or Lorraine Potter.
We take the safety of our staff, patients, and visitors very seriously. Here are your facility contacts in the event you ever need them.
  • Lorraine Potter, Director of Facilities
  • Tim Anderson, Facilities Assistant
  • Dan Pagliuca, Maintenance Tech (east)
  • Tim Remillard, Maintenance Tech (west)
  • Shane Watson, Maintenance Tech (Rose Monahan Home)
  • Percy Perez, Maintenance Tech (Tippett and de Rham Homes) 
We prioritize our workload every day if you do not see results or hear back from a facility staff member within 48 hours, please contact me at lpotter@vnab.org or call 508-751-6826.

SEGroup
Service Excellence Champion Group

The Service Excellence Champion group meets monthly to discuss ways to further our organization's commitment to exceptional service excellence.

Key Initiatives Being Worked On:
  • Streamlining communication methods and tools
  • Town Hall Meetings
  • Service Excellence training for new employees
  • Improving the patient experience
  • Huddle strategies
Please contact the Champions listed below if you would like to have an initiative or issue reviewed at the next meeting. Thank you!
  • Ann Bohac
  • Debbie Brown
  • Katie Callahan
  • Jen Casper
  • Simone Charpentier
  • Lori DeRosa
  • Wendy Drake
  • Jill Enwright
  • Kelly Frew
  • Dave Hanley
  • Brielle MacDonald
  • Cheryl Milas
  • Mary Ann O'Connor
  • Adele Pike
  • Lorraine Potter
  • Dave Rose
  • Kathy Souleotis
  • Geri Spina
  • Charlvic Williams

spotlight


Submitted by Rod Hemingway, MS, OTR/L from the Charlestown office 

I wanted to offer some words of praise for Peggy Tringale, RN in South Boston. I called her regarding a case of severe LE edema that one of our long time patients was suffering from which got so bad the patient's leg was leaking like a faucet. Peggy came over almost immediately and addressed the situation. Peggy is the consummate professional, compassionate yet firm when the situation calls for it, and obviously flexible when unexpected issues arise. All of her patients and their family members think very highly of her. I hear the words of admiration frequently. It is a pleasure to work with her and to learn from her.

Submitted by Wendy Kokernak, RN Case Coordinator in the Worcester office

I received a call from the wife of a patient and she stated that everyone who entered the home were very professional and tidy. Each person was very friendly and had a smile on their face. She wanted special recognition to go out to Caitlyn Hoffman, LPN 
and Leah Paquette, RN.
 


Submitted by Karen Webber, Development Officer in the Danvers office

Every week, the Fund Development  team makes thank you calls to new donors to the organization, lapsed donors who have chosen to give again and  some of our steady donors who contribute to the organization every year. Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with an older gentleman from the Cape Ann area. He was so pleased that we had called to say  thank you, but more than that he had high praise for all of the staff that had assisted his wife (she has now passed) and the care that he has received too. To paraphrase his comment, "I know firsthand the compassion and caring that all the nurses provide...thank you so very much."  We were sure to let him know his kind words would be shared with all of you.


Please send your notes of praise and recognition to 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!



'Tis the season for a little fun, and our Patient Care Management group did just that at their recent holiday celebration.


The Weymouth office was found celebrating again, this time with a Yankee Swap!

Danvers put their own spin on the holidays by hosting an Ugly Sweater contest!

Admission Nurse Stephen Paris (pictured on the right) was the lucky winner.



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES
TH
Town Hall Meeting Dates

See below for Town Hall Meeting dates, times, and locations. A location is still being worked on for the Needham office/Tippett home. All meetings will run from 8:30-10am. Please note that these meetings are an important communication vehicle and provides an opportunity to hear about important agency initiatives and updates, and as such, they are mandatory for all staff to attend.
  • Tuesday, December 15: Southborough/New Horizons > Southborough office
  • Tuesday, January 5: Needham/Tippett > location TBD
  • Thursday, January 7: Leominster > Leominster office
  • Thursday, January 14: Woburn > Woburn office

 

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
Medispan
Encore Medispan Update for Encore/Delta Users
By Christine Day, Clinical Application Specialist
 
Attention Encore Users: On Wednesday December 16, 2015, a Medispan update will be placed on the Server at 2 PM.
 
Please remember that this file will be picked up by your laptop with its first laptop synch after that time. It takes about 30 minutes to process onto your laptop. Please setup for your usual overnight communication Wednesday evening so that you will pick up the Medispan file overnight avoiding a potentially lengthy communication in the morning.

Codeload
For Encore Users: Codeload Needed (Software Upgrade)

On Tuesday, December 22, 2015 Encore will be upgraded via a "codeload." This upgrade is primarily for financial purposes. Please read the instructions located by clicking the FULL ARTICLE button carefully. Further instructions will be distributed next week.


CLINICAL SERVICES
SignUp
VNAB Weekend and Holiday Sign-Up

VNAB RN Weekend and Holiday Sign-Up dates are as follows:
  • MN - >10 years Wednesday, 12/16 at 2:00pm
  • MN - <10 years Thursday, 12/17 at 2:00pm
     
  • SW - >10 years Tuesday, 12/15 at 2:00pm
  • SW - <10 years Wednesday, 12/16 at 2:00pm
For questions please contact Judy Sojack ext. 6801 or Carol Bourne ext. 6430.

Telehealth
Telehealth Update

To All Clinical Staff
When doing vitals on patients with telehealth equipment installed, please ask patient to use telehealth equipment. This insures more accurate and consistent measures in vital signs with consistent equipment. If for some reason the equipment is not working properly, please call the telehealth department.

The entire Telehealth Department appreciates your assistance with this clinical practice.

HHA-OT
Your patient has a Home Health Aide - When Should You Consider an OT Referral?

One of the age old questions, it seems.
 
It really comes down to a couple of things.
 
Is the need for the HHA new?
  1. If so, do they have the potential to progress back toward independence with ADLs?

    If so, refer to OT.
     
  2. If not, is their HHA Plan of Care still appropriate, have they improved or declined?
         Depending on your answer.....you may want to refer to OT.
  • If they've always had a HHA and they are functionally presenting the same as perhaps a prior admission, an OT may not be necessary. If the patient's baseline status is that they require assist with bathing from a PC homemaker or HHA, they should have a HHA referral. However, having a HHA involved in the case does not always mean that OT needs to be involved.
  • If a patient is in need of a HHA referral, but does not have the needed bathroom equipment (e.g., tub chair, tub bench, grab bars) then a referral to OT is appropriate.
  • If the HHA is having more difficulty performing certain aspects of the POC and the patient's plan may need to be revised, you may consult an OT.
  • Also, consider specifically WHY the HHA is in place. Are they deconditioned, or are there cognitive deficits impacting their safety?
Not sure? You are ALWAYS welcome to conference with the Rehab Manager and/or a PT who may be involved in the case.

SafeSide
From the SafeSide Committee: ERP Reinforcement
Use the Early Response Plan (ERP) with your patients at each visit to:

E - Educate your patient when to call

R - Reinforce teaching at each visit

P - Prevent unnecessary ER visits/ hospitalizations

Thank you for all you do to keep your patients safe and at home. Remember, "You can do something about it..!"

Certification
2016 Certification Period
By Christine Day, Clinical Application Specialist, Sherry Leggett, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Patient Services, and Elizabeth Bourne, Clinical Applications Assistant

The 2016 Certification Period document has been posted in the Clinician Help Files. It can also be accessed by clicking the image below.


To open and save this document on your iPad as a PDF, open Native email on the iPad Home Page, and follow the instructions below.


NEST
Southborough's Year-End N.E.S.T. Celebration
By Brielle MacDonald, Education Program Coordinator
 
Southborough new hires, and the staff who helped and supported them, joined together to celebrate the new hires' achievements and milestones. Over the course of their onboarding, newly hired clinicians in Southborough have completed projects and presentations that supported their learning and competence caring for home care patients. This work was part of their monthly NEST sessions. Last Friday they shared their new expertise with their colleagues. Food, photos, music (by Cara Brindisi), and laughter was enjoyed by all who attended.


Thank you to everyone who has helped the new hires accomplish all that they have throughout the 2015 year!

FACILITIES
Driveway
Worcester Driveway/Entrance Construction

Please be aware that the roundabout driveway at the Worcester office will be unavailable Tuesday (Dec. 15) . Repairs will be happening between the hours of 8a-4p, but the area will be inaccessible throughout the duration of the project.
 
Questions? Contact Lorraine Potter, Director of Facilities, at lpotter@vnab.org or 508-751-6826.


FUND DEVELOPMENT
gala
Heroes in Health Care Gala Raises Over $300,000

VNA of Boston's 10th annual Heroes in Health Care Gala had another record-breaking year, raising over $300,000 in support of our patients and programs.
 
This year's Heroes in Health Care Honorees were Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, president and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Larry Jasinski, CEO of ReWalk Robotics; and Third Rock Ventures' Founders Mark Levin, Kevin Starr, and Robert Tepper, MD.
 
The Fund Development team would like to extend a special thanks to staff who volunteered on this year's Host Committee and contributed to the success of the event: Barbara Belony, RN; Marie Carten, RN; Marie Davis, PT; and Debra Nowak, PT. Also serving on the host committee were co-chairs Debra Angeloni and Renee Picard Walsh and member Donna Dupee.
 
To get involved in the 2016 Gala, please contact Laura Wise, Manager of Fund Development, at 617-886-6460 or lwise@vnab.org.

Visit the Gala's online photo gallery for more pictures from the event!

 
Pictured, from left: Gala Co-Chairs Loriann Meagher and Linda Hope-Springer; Laura Wise, Manager of Fund Development; and Gala Host Committee Co-Chairs Debra Angeloni and Renee Picard-Walsh.

Pictured from left: Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, President and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Hero; Lori Meagher, Gala Co-Chair, Linda Hope-Springer, Gala Co-Chair; Third Rock Ventures' Founders and Heroes Kevin Starr, Robert Tepper, MD, and Mark Levin; Mary Ann O'Connor, President and CEO of VNA Care Network Foundation; and Larry Jasinski, CEO of ReWalk Robotics

Left to right: Elaine Strongwater; Steven Strongwater, MD, President and CEO of Atrius Health; Diane Leclair, Chair of the VNA Care Network Foundation Board of Directors; Mary Ann O'Connor, President and CEO; Terry O'Connor; and Melissa Baughman
Left to right: Katie Callahan, Patient Services Manager and Elaine Buckley, Patient Services Manager

CaringSociety
Patients and Families Honor Staff through Thanks for Caring Society

Congratulations to the following staff who were honored in November through a charitable donation to VNA of Boston, VNA Care Network, or VNA Hospice Care:

Andrew Binder, RN
Kenneth Breitenstein, PT
Ms. Mary Buccieri, RN
Charlotte Byrne, RN
Cheryl Campbell, PT
Kathrine Colombo, OT
Kathleen Connolly, PT
Bonnie Cruickshank-Delande, PTA
Alison Dahl, PT
Christy Dennis, RN
Alexandra DesLauriers, PTA
Bernadotte Ginette, RN
Paulette Hallihan, RN
Kimberly Hartwell, PT
Nancy Houlihan, PTA
Donna Huckaby, PT
Joan Hurton, RN
Kent Jaskoviak, PT
Mary Ellen Jordan, RN
Nicole Kallio, OTR
Sharon Kuebler, PT
Dianne Lawlor, RN
Christine Marre, RN
Jorge Medina-Rivera, LPN
Laurie Nash, RN
Kenneth O'Neil, PT
Stephen Paris, RN
Nigma Patel, PT
Michele Patterson, RN
David B. Pierce
Katherine Riley, PT
Ms. Karen Rookwood
Susan Spencer, PT
Richard Ssenyonga, RN
Angela Thomas, LPN
Maureen R. Thomas, RN
Stanley R. Tippett Home Staff
VNA Care Network & Hospice
VNA Care Network Staff
VNA Hospice Care Staff
VNA of Boston Staff

If a patient or family member needs more information or assistance making a donation, please ask them to contact Karen Webber, Development Officer, at 888-663-3688, ext. 1365 or kwebber@vnacarenetwork.org or Laura Wise, Manager of Fund Development, at 617-886-6460 or lwise@vnab.org.

Drawing
Last Chance to Enter Drawing for Vacation Day and Gift Cards

Staff who make a donation to the Employee Giving Campaign or the North Shore United Way Campaign by Friday, Dec. 18, will be entered into a drawing for:
  • First Place - One Paid Vacation Day
  • Second Place - $100 Gift Card
  • Third Place - $50 Gift Card
  • Fourth Place - $25 Gift Card
  • Fifth Place - $25 Gift Card
For more information or assistance, please contact:
The drawing will be held Monday, Dec. 21.


HUMAN RESOURCES
BONUS
Employee Referral Bonus Program Expanded to Include LPN, PTA, and COTA!

The referral bonus program has been expanded to include employee referrals for RNs, LPNs, PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAs, 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
  • Ray Brackett
  • 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 Yang
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.



INFORMATION SYSTEMS
MIS
MIS Department On-Call Staff for this Week

For Encore issues including communications, Encore laptops, WebVPN and general technology
  • Through Friday, December 18, 11:59 PM - Eric Bromberg: (774) 463-7320
  • Beginning Saturday, December 19, 12:00 AM -  Sean Carroll: (508) 868-0615
For McKesson issues including iPads and laptops and general technology (support is provided weekdays 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, weekends and holidays 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
  • Through Tuesday, December 15, 10:00 PM - John Williams (617) 913-3003
  • Beginning Wednesday, December 16, 6:00 PM - Carol McDonald (617) 913-3003

QUALITY AND RISK MANAGEMENT
FunctionalTasks
Functional Tasks: Willingness vs. Safe Ability

Scenario: Mrs. Smith is a 72 yo F s/p CABG x 4 with sternal precautions (no lifting >8lbs, no shoulder flexion >90 degrees, no over the shoulder activity until cleared by cardiac surgeon, avoid twisting or deep bending, avoid reaching across the body). D/c'd home with home care services. Patient lives alone in a single family house.
 
Upon arrival patient was dressed and stated that she wanted to look presentable before the arrival of the clinician. Reported of increased discomfort at the incision site while dressing up and had to take frequent breaks while dressing and the pain medication.

OASIS Walk: Patient required cues during bed mobility to minimize discomfort at the incision site; reached for the furniture during mobility; used the vanity for support to get on the toilet and used momentum to get off the toilet seat. Patient required verbal cues to adhere to sternal precautions throughout the session and noted to be fatigued.
 
MAHC-10 score= 5; Pain = 5/10 at the incision site while mobilizing for >/= 5 minutes. Worse pain= 7/10 while coughing and sneezing. 

How would you document this patient's ability to dress her upper and lower body? Click the FULL ARTICLE button to find out.


SOC
Documentation and MD Orders for SOC Dates

Click the FULL ARTICLE button below for steps to follow when the first visit is not performed within 48 hours of referral date OR on the physician ordered SOC date as well as if the secondary discipline is unable to see patient within 5 days of the SOC date.


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
December 14, 2015
The Connecter
Volume 4, Issue 50
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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.