Veterans Home-Based Primary Care

HomeBased Primary Care

HBPC STAFF:

HBPC Program Director:

HBPC Medical Director: Jonathan Mueller, M.D. HBPC Nurse Case Managers: Angela Clark, RN Jean Curtis, RN Rachelle Timog, RN Adult Nurse Practitioner: Tina Traber, ANP HBPC Physical Therapist: Melonie Rieck HBPC Social Worker: Elena Morris, LCSW Donna Bacon, LCSW Sarah Eby, LCSW HBPC Registered Dietitian: Michael DiFilippo, RD HBPC Clinical Pharmacist: John Wanek, PharmD HBPC Program Assistant: Ponda Dennis, MSA

Hours of Operation:

The HBPC team is available Monday through Friday 7:30 AM—4:00 PM. You can reach staff members at the following telephone number: (907) 257-3750 Fax Number: 907-257-7493

AFTER HOURS: 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 a.m.

ADVICE NURSE (After hours & weekends) CALL: 1-888-353-7574 x 4710

AVAHS OUTPATIENT CLINIC

Other disciplines may include: Health care students.

Brochure redesigned by: Ponda Dennis, HBPC MSA

1201 N. Muldoon Rd Anchorage, AK 99504 (907) 257-3750

What is Home-Based Primary Care?

Admission to HBPC:

Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) is an interdisciplinary health care service, administered from the Department of Alaska Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (AVAHS), to provide individualized health care services to veterans within the surroundings of their home and family. This program enables the veteran patient and the family to receive comprehensive geriatric and palliative health care and supportive services in the comfort of the veteran's home thereby maintaining family and community ties. The HBPC team consists of a physician, nurses, LVN, social worker, dietitian and physical therapist. The team makes home visits to teach, supervise and assist the patient and family to care for the veteran's needs and cope with the present illness.

The program is available to patients living within approximately 20 miles of the Anchorage Outpatient Clinic. Referrals are accepted from either inpatient or ambulatory care settings. The health care needs, eligibility and the home environment are evaluated prior to enrollment of the patient in the program.

Objectives of HBPC: 1. To reduce the length of hospital stays by providing necessary health care services at home.

2. To improve the patient's quality of life by allowing the veteran to remain home while receiving health care tailored to the individual needs of the patient and family.

3. To minimize the effects of illness and disability by enabling the patient and family to actively participate in the delivery of health care services in the home.

4. To restore health and/or attain optimum functioning and help the patient achieve maximum independent living.

5. To enable terminally ill patients to remain in their home.

6. To reduce hospital readmissions.

7. To minimize outpatient clinic visits that are not feasible or advisable.

8. To offer an alternative to nursing home placement.

Services Offered Medical: The HBPC physician or Adult Nurse Practitioner responsible for the medical care of the veteran. Home visits are made as necessary.

Nursing: Registered nurse(s) provide skilled nursing care for the patient in the home. The nurse teaches the patient and/or caregiver on treatment procedures and administration of medications. The nurse also provides the major liaison between the patient and other members of the team regarding the progress of the patient and the need for modification of the health care plan.

Social Work: The Social Worker offers assistance with emotional and financial problems. If necessary, the Social Worker helps identify alternatives for care.

Nutrition: The dietitian evaluates the nutritional status of the patient and advises the family about the planning and preparation of meals.

Rehabilitation Medicine: The therapist evaluates the patient, family and home environment to determine the need for special equipment that can be

the need for special equipment that can be adapted to the home to help the patient and family. The therapist also teaches and assists with exercises to increase or maintain the patient’s mobility and independence.

Services Not Provided:  Home health Aide  Homemakers, Housekeeping Services  Daily Nursing Care (e.g. Bathing)