VNA PHILADELPHIA VITAL SIGNS
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VNA PHILADELPHIA NEWSLETTER |SPRING 2021
VNA PHILADELPHIA
VITAL SIGNS
The official publication of VNA Philadelphia
Dear Friends,
Unprecedented times is the new catch phrase which carries with it enormous
challenges. In early 2020, VNA's clinical staffing levels were high, turnover was
decreasing, referrals were up and our Quality scores were rising (and continue to do
so). Then the pandemic hit and businesses across the nation were hit hard. Staffing
shortages due to illness, remote schooling and a host of other reasons soared. The
VNA had to be nimble and adjust the way we do things on almost a daily basis. As
always, pandemic or not, the welfare of our staff and patients is of paramount
importance. With the support of our community, we were, and are, able to meet the
demands of PPE, provide in-house Covid rapid testing and offer extra sick time for
clinicians who contracted the virus from our patients, before the CARES act was
passed. Recently we were able to vaccinate staff against COVID-19. Through
Centennial Pharmacies and our #VaccinatingVNA clinic, not only did our staff have
the opportunity to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine, but so too did immediate
family members and other employees in our building. This was important to us. In
all, over 800 people received both doses of the vaccine thanks to the tireless efforts
of staff and partners.
We pride ourselves in providing compassionate care to patients, staff and families.
We pride ourselves in being #thevnaphiladelphiadifference. For over 135 years, we
have been committed to providing the care that sets us apart both as a home health
and hospice provider. A pandemic like the one we are experiencing underscores the
importance of agencies like VNA Philadelphia which allow people to receive
medical care in their homes, alleviating the burden on hospitals and reducing the risk
of contagion. With the increasing availability of the vaccine, the “finish-line” is now
in sight.
Through ongoing innovative programs and technology, our agency has continued to
evolve to meet the changing demands of our patients. We have continued to expand
upon our nationally accredited Diabetic Self-Managed Education and Training
(DSMET) and Diabetic Prevention Program and now offer vision screenings and
expanded A1C testing. The generosity of our community resulted in a successful
fundraising year, allowing us to better serve our patients. VNA Philadelphia has
continued to grow, and we thank you for your continued support of our critical
mission.
Elwood Hungarter RN, BSN, MS
President, CEO
“It is important to protect Patient Victor Pospichil's
our employees and the daughter, Helene, was
scheduled to get married in
ones they love. Our
November. Knowing that her
VNA families supported
father's health was declining,
our teams during a very
Helene and her fiancé, Charly
challenging time and by
Carlyn, chose to move the
supporting them they put
wedding up to April,
their own lives at risk. It
conducting the ceremony on
is a huge sacrifice to
the Inpatient Unit with the
support the people we
Reverend Donna L. Geiger
love and for that I will be
presiding. (L: Charly and
forever grateful.”
Helena exchange vows as the
~ Dawn King, VNA bride's aunt, Linda Galleo and
Philadelphia’s Chief Nursing Rev. Donna Geiger, look on.)
Officer & Senior VP of Charlie Carlin also works on
Home Health our Home Care side.
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Clinicians from VNA worked with the Local Community
Resource Center (LCRC) and Jefferson University Hospital to
provide 200 people with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on
Friday at the historic First Presbyterian Church of
Germantown.
Pictured are our vaccination superheroes with Justine Bacon
of Quidel with her Flu & COVID awareness car, Flu Bug Philly!
VNA Philadelphia received a grant from The Independence
Foundation to expand Diabetes Prevention. At left is Mary
Beth Hardiman, RN, Certified Diabetic Educator with the
RetinaVue, a handheld camera used to detect retinopathy
and molecular degeneration. Thanks to this support, the
Diabetic Program has expanded their A1C testing and
remote vision screenings.
Want to help
support VNA
Philadelphia?!
Donate HERE
The 2nd Annual Poco-Ball Golf
tournament was held on Monday, October 5 at The Shawnee Inn & Golf
Resort. All proceeds from this event benefitted VNA patients and
families in hospice, home health and palliative departments.
Community members and vendors played a round of golf on the
historic, championship Pocono golf course surrounded by the
breathtaking Delaware River landscape. The historic Shawnee course is
Congrats to the winning foursome from HRS and classically designed and is uniquely flat in comparison to other
MidPenn Bank!
surrounding Poconos golf courses. Thank you so much to the event
sponsors, golfers & everyone who supported this event!
SAVE THE DATE for the 3rd Annual Poco-Ball Golf Tournament: Monday, October 4th!
As part of VNA Philadelphia's new Home Safety
program, the Red Cross is working with VNA staff, particularly Occupational
Therapists and Social Workers, to promote the importance of smoke detectors.
Every day, seven people die in home fires, most often in homes without working
smoke alarms.
To support the new process, VNA Philadelphia and the Red Cross have collaborated
on a Home Safety Kit and training curriculum to equip our staff with the tools and
skills needed to provide a higher standard of safety.
More information will be forthcoming about how patients and their families can get
Craig Hindman, Director of their smoke detector, fire extinguisher and first aid kits as we continue to develop
Population Health & Clinical Services this initiative.
displaying the new Home Safety
manual!
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@VNAPhilly @VNAPhiladelphia
OR VISIT US AT (WWW.VNAPHILLY.ORG)
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