Valley Health - Home Care


	Providing quality health care to residents of the Tri-State Region is the passion that drives Valley Health. It is our privilege to serve all the communities in the region, and bring high levels of technology and service to our rural areas. From our founding over 100 years ago, Valley Health remains a private, non-profit health system providing a broad range of clinical services through our comprehensive, regional network of hospitals, clinics, care providers and support services. By improving the overall health in the communities we serve, we are improving people’s lives, every day, right here in the Valley. As the areas largest health care provider, operating the sole regional referral hospital, two community hospitals and managing a third community hospital, we are committed to providing care to all who need it. Some 1000,000 people come through our emergency rooms every year, many who have no means to pay; many who will need additional inpatient and outpatient care. Charity care and uncompensated care provided by Valley Health facilities increases annually, yet we work to maintain a cost and charge system that is fair and equitable, and ranks among the lowest cost in the Commonwealth. Our non-profit status means that rather than paying dividends to stockholders, we re-invest any excess revenue back into the community through expanded services, state-of-the-art technology, and physical growth, as well as community education, health promotions and support for community service initiatives. As a 501(c)3 charitable institution, we are exempt from paying the taxes that most businesses are required to pay. However, our status as a charitable institution means we provide care to all, regardless of their ability to pay, and our contribution back to our communities, through charity care and community services, far off-sets what our tax burden would be. All of these benefits to the community are designed to help people achieve or maintain healthy lifestyles and better manage their own health. Caring for Thousands of Lives Year after year, Valley Health services touch a considerable percentage of the region’s residents. These statistics for the year 2004 tell that story: Overall inpatient admissions 26,840 Total patient days 101,464 Outpatient visits 332,202 Emergency Department and Urgent Care visits 124,060 In-home visits for home health and community-based care 40,634 Ambulance/medical transports 19,993 Home Care merchandise transactions 65,701 Free health screenings and programs 362 Employees 4,300 Physicians on hospital medical staffs 330 Total cost for paying our people $210,000,000 Total cost for operating our services $419,000,000 Cost of new equipment and facilities (capital purchases) $50,664,000 Our Partnerships While Valley Health prides itself on providing a broad range of services, we also recognize the value of partnering with other groups and organizations to extend the scope of services provided in the region. To that end, we have developed partnerships with other high-quality providers to improve access to health care services including: Gateway Home Care – Martinsburg, WV Mid-Maryland Medical Transport – Hagerstown, MD Purcellville Imaging – Purcellville, VA Winchester Imaging – Winchester, VA Piedmont Medical Lab – Winchester, VA We also partner with community agencies and non-profit organizations to help assure the success of many community projects and services. In 2004, these included: Our Health Healthy Families Warren County Health Coalition Free Medical Clinic of Northern Shenandoah Valley – Winchester St. Luke Community Clinic – Front Royal Shenandoah County Free Clinic – Woodstock Migrant Health Clinic Blue Ridge Hospice AIDS Response Effort (ARE) Lord Fairfax Emergency Medical Services Council Godfrey Miller Fellowship Center Adult Care Center of Northern Virginia United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley And many more fine organizations! Care for All- Care for the Uninsured When a patient enters a Valley Health hospital, our first priority is addressing his or her immediate medical needs. As a non-profit, community health care system, that’s not only our obligation, it’s our mission. Charity Care This year, 45 million people in the US are without adequate health insurance, and that number is growing annually. Regardless of a person’s ability to pay, no one is refused necessary treatment at Valley Health. In 2004, Valley Health provided $21,600,000 in charity care. An additional $14,486,000 in services was uncompensated due to under funding by Medicaid, a state-sponsored safety net health insurance program. While the Virginia Medicaid program provides some payment for services received, the reimbursement is far less than the actual cost of providing the services. The difference between what we charge for care and the actual reimbursement is considered uncompensated care. Likewise, the federal Medicare program reimburses hospitals at rates considerably below the cost of providing those services. For Valley Health, Medicare is the single largest payor of services rendered. Valley Health’s charity care policy is designed to benefit eligible patients who do not have the means necessary to pay for health care services we have provided. Eligibility is dependent on qualifying factors and federal government guidelines. Complete information on our policy is available through our business office. Health Promotion in Our Communities So many factors impact the overall health of a community. For that reason, our involvement in communities throughout the region goes well beyond providing high quality health care at one of our facilities. Working collaboratively with many community agencies and organizations, Valley Health plays an integral role in the overall quality of life in the region. Education, Screenings and Outreach What you don’t know about your health can have serious consequences, both now and as you age. We want to help people take responsibility for keeping themselves healthy, so we offer numerous opportunities for health education, screenings and community outreach, beyond the walls of our hospitals. Some of our efforts include: Health Depot, our outpost at Apple Blossom Mall in Winchester, where people can attend educational programs and fitness classes, participate in a variety of screenings, browse the Internet for health care information, pick up literature on health concerns, local programs and services, or purchase health-inspiring products. Heart Attack Risk Program, a community heart health risk assessment program providing regular screenings for heart attack risk factors to help citizens improve their overall heart health. What you need to know about…, Our monthly heart education program on a variety of health issues, presented by area physicians and clinicians. Health fairs and health displays, providing broad access to information at a variety of venues, from the Community Wellness Festival in Winchester to the Shenandoah County Fair. Health screenings, which are free or at a very low cost, providing many with a first indication of potential health issues. Senior Health Services, providing special programs and activities to promote healthy aging, and regional sponsorships of www.seniornavigator.com, a web site dedicated to helping older adults identify and access local and state resources. Support groups for a broad range of illnesses and conditions are sponsored by Valley Health clinical specialty services, facilitated by Valley Health employees who are experts in their field, or are provided meeting space. Speakers Bureau, which provides speakers free of charge to large or small groups. Support of local schools, offering assistance with teaching materials, providing professional staff for special study sections, tours of hospital facilities, short-term internships for students, health care career presenters, and support for special programs or projects. Summer camps for special kids, including Camp SuperKids, a three-day camp for children with asthma and Camp Fantastic, for children with cancer and other chronic diseases. Health Resource Center at Winchester Medical Center, providing a broad range of information resources, from brochures on diseases and treatments, to books and videos available for checkout. Grants and Special Funding Since 2003, Valley Health has received $887,820 in support through grants and special funding for many programs that directly benefit the community, assisting in the creation and operation of programs such as medical transportation for the frail elderly and chronically ill, breast cancer screenings, and pre-natal care for underserved populations. Support of Community Organizations Valley Health has unbelievable human resources among its ranks, and encourages employees to support local and regional organizations through leadership on boards for chambers of commerce, health agencies, schools, charities and other community organizations and committees. Additionally, Valley Health provides support to area community organizations through sponsorship and in-kind donations. Health Care Beyond Our Walls Health care is changing, and so is the way we meet the demands of our communities. Patients may not always have acute health care needs, or may not always have ready access to transportation. However, they still can benefit from services provided to them in their homes, or at local gathering places. For that reason, Valley Health has developed programs that take preventive or health management services beyond our physical walls, and provides them free of charge. Community Nurse Case Management Community Nurse Case Management assists patients with special health needs to help them maintain a high level of wellness and remain as independent as possible. Coordinated through the Valley Health Home Health services, our nurse case managers assist in coordinating community resources, navigating health care delivery systems with clients and communicating health status information back to physicians. Additionally, the service helps provide education to clients and caregivers, helps establish goals to meet client needs, and assists in monitoring and reassessing each client’s individual needs. Parish Nursing Initiated by Valley Health in 1993, the Parish Nursing program trains practicing nurses, (some of whom are Valley Health employees) to use their nursing skills to facilitate the healing mission of their faith congregations. Often parish nurses will provide screening services, home visits and educational programs. Call 540-536-5344 for more information. Economic Impact on Our Communities Beyond providing salaries and benefits to our 4,300 employees amounting to over $210,000,000 and purchasing many of our supplies and services form local businesses, Valley Health represents a significant economic force for the region. Our employees buy houses, purchase merchandise and use services where they live. Having a major regional health care provider in the Valley draws new physicians specialists, helps local chambers of commerce and business development boards recruit business and industry in the area, encourages growth and expansion of secondary educational resources, and adds to the overall economic vigor of our region. Valley Health’s Value to Our Communities Today more than ever, hospitals and health delivery organizations are encouraged to track the actual benefit they provide to the communities they serve. Strictly in terms of hard dollars, tracked to specific projects, initiatives, charity and uncompensated care, our total benefit to the community is $59,000,000. However, total benefit to the community runs well below total value. Total value includes not only those dollars spent – or in many cases, not received – to ensure quality care for all who need it, but much more. Less tangible benefits such as: Clinical research trials, bringing new or experimental medicines and protocols closer to home Level II Trauma designation for Winchester Medical Center Continuity of care through a coordinated system of services providers located in our region, not far away Staff training and development, to learn not only clinical skills, but human relations skills to improve patient experiences Continuous patient safely and performance improvement initiatives, ever increasing the quality of care An army of employees, well-educated and well-trained, who share their time and talents as volunteers in their communities. Training Tomorrow’s Health Care Providers If today’s trends in the American workforce continue into the future, there will be critical shortages of health care workers for years to come. For that reason, Valley Health fells it is imperative to provide educational and training opportunities, and promote careers in the following programs: Shenandoah Valley Family Practice Residency Program, headquartered at Warren Memorial Hospital, and in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia. This three-year residency program trains physicians recently graduated from medical school in family practice medicine. Nurse training programs in association with Shenandoah University, Lord Fairfax Community College, Shepherd University and George Mason University allow nursing students to receive training and education, in part, through Valley Health facilities. Medical career training programs, including programs for radiologic technologists and nursing assistants, are available through Valley Health hospitals. Physician assistant, pharmacists, occupational and physical therapists, and respiratory therapists pursuing degrees from Shenandoah University train in our facilities, and our staff is actively involved in both their classroom and practical learning. A wide variety of scholarships to encourage and support students pursuing careers in health care are made available each year. A Medical Explorers post sponsored by Winchester Medical Center gives high school students an opportunity to learn more about careers in health care. At Warren Memorial Hospital, “CampMed” offers teenagers valuable behind-the-scenes exposure to health career options. We are proud to be a community resource and partner to help make the communities we serve stronger and healthier. For more information on any Valley Health service, please contact us at (540) 536-5150.

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