Concordia Visiting Nurses

Concordia Visiting Nurses (CVN) program service accomplishments are driven by the core mission to provide excellent in-home health services to those who need them, in a faithful environment. CVN is part of a large continuum of care striving to succeed with an aging-in-place philosophy by providing a wide breadth of services in the home, preventing rehospitalization, enhancing home safety and monitoring chronic disease states. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, approximately 19,518 patients were served across thirteen counties in Western Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence, Westmoreland, Washington and parts of Clarion, Fayette, Indiana, Mercer and Venango, with an average daily census of 3,144. CVN provides qualified Spiritual Counselors who respond to needs through prayer, consultation and counseling to all religions and denominations and work in conjunction with local clergy as requested. A total of approximately 341,478 visits (including 2,760 non-billable visits associated with spiritual care, nutrition, etc.) were completed by various disciplines. The non-reimbursed cost of the non-billable spiritual care visits was $97,857 for the fiscal year. Throughout the COVID-19 PHE, the organization provided focused education on various related topics. These topics included what COVID-19 is, how to prevent the spread, how to care for patients that are positive for COVID-19, mitigation efforts, Personal Protective Equipment utilization and other infection control practices. This education was provided through varying platforms such as secure messaging, at virtual staff meetings and through the Learning Management Software, Elsevier. Staff have also been educated on COVID-19 vaccinations and the importance of vaccinations as a tool to help end the PHE. A corporate nursing team was established to assist with education and administration related to the COVID-19 vaccinations. The vaccination was administered to fellow co-workers, patients, residents and members of surrounding communities at no charge. We continue to see fluctuations of positivity per the geographical area that we service. We have the ability to test both patients and staff utilizing PCR and Antigen testing. This allows us to direct admit patients back to facilities and prevent unnecessary re-hospitalizations and for efficiency of testing for our staff. Some examples of our new initiatives include telehealth/telemedicine and the hospital at home model. CVN was able to assist physicians with visits by providing a nurse for a video visit with the physician to allow for the Face-to-Face requirement to be fulfilled. CVN provides Tele-Health monitoring free of charge to patients with chronic diseases. Tele-Health monitoring is a non-billable service that costs the agency $389,864 annually. Tele-Health has been utilized over the past year to provide additional monitoring for COVID-19 positive patient vital sign trending. The pandemic also brought into effect the 1135 waivers. One of the waivers allowed a PT, ST, or OT to conduct the initial assessment when therapy was ordered rather than a Skilled Nurse. Concordia Visiting Nurses continues to have deemed status with Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). CVN is also accredited for Home Infusion Therapy services through ACHC. ACHC is an organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. ACHC is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of persons served. CVN is preparing for renewal survey's through ACHC that is expected to occur in July 2023. CVN is also part of Concordia Lutheran Ministries Aging Services Network, under CARF-CCAC accreditation. The PA Dept of Health is also expected to be onsite in mid-2023 for its re-licensure survey. Each month our Transitional Nurse Liaisons team up with CVN nurses and social workers to schedule and attend several community gatherings to discuss our "Concordia Visiting Nurses Healthy Topic" of the month at health fairs, community speaker programs and events to promote wellness in the community. CVN spent a total of $15,814 on flu shots that were given to the community and patients during flu clinics and to employees during the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Total donations and sponsorships made during fiscal year ended 6/30/22, equated $40,033. Additional funding via distributions to 501(c)(3) member hospital systems at a total of $11,500,000 have expanded like-minded mission within the geographical communities we serve. Employees of CVN were given the opportunity to serve by participating in mission events organized by the parent company Concordia Community Support Services. Here are the donation, sponsorship and mission event opportunities that CVN took part in during the fiscal year. A total of $11,918 was donated through the fiscal year. This includes: $330 donated 11 local orgs as a part of our Employee Benefit Fund program: donations are given to a charity of employee's choice when a qualifying event occurs, such as a death in the family. In Dec 2021, CVN Business Development team partnered with Butler Health, Washington Health System and St. Clair Health System to provide the Boredom Bag Projects. This consisted of approximately 500 bags with puzzles, cards, colored pencils, stress relief balls, and other items to give to patients. The cost to CVN for these items was approximately $3,000.00. Other donations include these organization to name a few: Kovacicek Veterans House at The City Mission, Grapevine Center, Meals on Wheels, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, St Luke Lutheran Church. A total of $28,115 was spent on sponsorships during the 2021-2022 fiscal year. 6 golf outings were sponsored: Alle Kiski Strong Chamber, Butler Co Chamber of Commerce, BHS Foundation, Lighthouse Foundation, ACMH Foundation, HVHS Foundation. Other sponsorships include the Armstrong County Health Care Consortium, Butler County Health Care Consortium, Butler County Tornado Hockey Association, BHS Foundation, CHOW and GSH Butterfly Releases, Girl Scout Troop 52938, Lighthouse Foundation, Saxonburg Area Baseball Association, and two events for the Washington Health System Foundation. Mission Events: Employees of CVN and CCSS went to the Cabot Food Bank to help pack boxes and bags for their monthly distribution. The was a recurring community outreach event that occurred in July 2021, Oct 2021, and Mar 2021. They helped with sorting all the donations and packing them into boxes and bags that will get loaded into vehicles later that week. Average for each event was 6 employees for 1.5 hrs. VNA Alliance employees participated in the Back to School Happy Heart Full Bellies Food Drive to support the Samaritan Food Pantry in Conneaut Lake. Employees purchased food which was collected in Aug 2021 and donated to the organization in Sept 2021. CVN and CCSS employees were also given the opportunity to provide a contribution to the cause. The Thanksgiving Mission Event in Oct/Nov 2021 was an effort to allow the BHS Food Institute to continue its mission to help our neighbors in need. Butler Health System, a partner of CVN and GSH, has developed the BHS Food Institute in an effort to provide struggling community members with access to affordable and nutritious food. This event was be done remotely through Amazon.com and BHS's website. The BHS Food Institute created a Wish List on Amazon that includes kitchen utensils for patients. Concordia employees were encouraged to buy directly from Amazon or donate a monetary gift. Lighthouse Toy Shop- Dec 2021- provides toys and gifts for over 480 local children. The Spring Collection Drive in Jan/Feb 2022: The Lighthouse Foundation hands out a birthday box to anyone who participates in their food pantry. These boxes contain items that allow their recipient to make a cake and truly celebrate a birthday for a member of their family. Employees worked in teams to purchase cake mix, ingredients, card, decorations, etc to fill the box. In Mar 2022, The Concordia Family of Pennsylvania partnered with a company out of Moon Township called DTCare. This non-profit agency shipped much needed supplies to support those who have sought refuge in Poland as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. Employees purchased supplies such as toothbrushes, soap, diapers, socks and first aid supplies. Concordia Medical Equipment employees used their trucks to transport everything gathered to Moon Township. These donations, sponsorships and mission events are some of the many ways we serve God by providing for the needs of His people.