2021 ANNUAL REPORT
Page Mission, Vision, Values 3 Message from the CEO 4 HELP AT HOME 5 HOME HEALTH 6 HOSPICE 7 Taking Care of Our Community 8 Taking Care of Our Own 10 Taking Care of Our Legacy 11 Taking Care: Quality Measures and Patient Satisfaction 12 How Our Community Cares for Us 13 Taking Care of Business 14 Board of Directors 15 2
VISIONMISSION care of community, legacy left): staff donated years
our
Improving quality of life through compassionate patient care wherever you call home. To be the leading home care partner, applying innovation to support staff, program growth and our community • To affirm the dignity and worth of human life. • To promote creativity and lifelong learning in an atmosphere of cooperation, teamwork and fairness • To be trustworthy and maintain integrity in all of our interactions • To be a financially viable, cost-effective, not-for-profit organization. • To maintain excellence as evidenced by positive, measurable outcomes • To be adaptable in an evolving environment
and our own (from
our
of service to Douglas County • Pickleman’s provided a delicious lunch for our staff.
VNA
(updated in 2021) VALUES (updated in 2021) 3 Taking
school supplies to local students through the United Way • VNA celebrated 52
A MESSAGE FROM THE
May brought one of those step backs, as our biennial 3.d fundraiser shifted from an in-person event to a mailed appeal to donors and sponsors. Not surprisingly, our community still rose to the occasion to support VNA. We took steps forward to bring our staff together as a large group. Our Social Committee organized a picnic that allowed our staff to gather safely for lunch and social connection for the first time in 15 months. It was a joyous day!
Both of these issues are not unique to the pandemic or to VNA, but are a reflection of the broader issues in the provision of care, particularly home care
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Our Hospice program celebrated its 40th anniversary in August. With COVID cases on the rise, we took a side step and held a parking lot celebration with our Hospice staff. Around the same time, though, we were also celebrating the special recognition of one of our Hospice volunteers.
In February, we became another part of the COVID-19 solution, offering personnel to Lawrence–Douglas County Public Health to give vaccinations to individuals who were unable to leave their homes. Members of VNA’s leadership team filled this vital role, while other members of our staff supported various clinic sites across Douglas County.
For the first time in VNA’s history, we engaged contract agencies to help us staff our nursing needs, and we maximized our aide staff, but still had to limit admissions to our Help at Home program
2021 was a year of two steps forward with an occasional step back, then two more forward As a healthcare provider, VNA moved forward cautiously as the year unfolded — but move we did We did not escape the staffing challenges that crossed the healthcare continuum.
Florine O’Rourke, the Kansas Home Care and Hospice Association “Home Care Hero,” plays a special role with the contents of our children’s grief healing kits. Her story has been shared in our newsletter and is noted again in this report
VNA closed the year with the Management team developing new strategic priorities, so watch for exciting new ideas and resources over the next couple of years Much has changed over the past two years, but two things have not — the resilience and commitment of VNA staff and the incredible support of our community. Both will help us with those continuous steps forward!
Cynthia Lewis, CEO Cynthia Lewis, M H S A , C P H Q CEO
“I feel we have a wonderful staff that makes VNA special. I am really excited that my daughter is here at VNA. She is doing great. She has learned a lot and is still learning, as we all are.”
—Karen Evinger-Irvine
“I like working for VNA, and when it comes to working with my mother, it’s better than I thought it would be. She is an excellent aide. She sets a really high bar that I could never match!” —Kit Schrader 17,106 Home Health visits in 2021 991 Home patientsHealthserved in 2021 9,833 Hospice visits in 2021 308 Hospice patients served in 2021 19,914 hours of Help at Home care providedin2021 110 Help at inpatientsHomeserved 2021
—Trista Gish
2021 brought something very unique to Visiting Nurses with the addition of daughters joining their mothers as new employees. Karen Evinger-Irvine, Certified Home Health Aide, has been a longtime employee in VNA’s Help at Home and Hospice programs, and her daughter, Kit Schrader, Certified Nurse Aide, joined the Help at Home program in November 2021. Trista Gish, Registered Nurse, joined VNA’s Home Health program in April 2021 and her daughter, Addison Gish, Certified Nurse Aide, came aboard a few months later in the Help At Home program. They’ve both been a wonderful addition to Visiting Nurses.
“Being a part of VNA with my mom makes me proud. I know that the people she cares for are in great hands and will be treated with the same amount of care she has given me growing up.”
—Addison Gish
VNA’s Help at Home program assists with everyday activities to help people live safely and independently in the comfort of their own homes. The Help at Home program’s trained caregivers specialize in personal care assistance, companion care, and homemaker services.
“I feel Visiting Nurses is unique because it is a smaller organization, and there is a greater opportunity to develop good relationships with other staff. I love that Addie works at VNA and provides care to some of my patients. She is so kind and wonderful to the clients she visits, and I am so proud of her.”
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“I love finding common interests with my patients and using that connection to motivate them. Gilbert lit up when we talked about music and was thrilled when I suggested we sing together — after his exercises, of course.” —Libby Alvarez, VNA PT 17,106 Home Health visits in 2021 in 2021
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While providing physical therapy to Gilbert, VNA PT, Libby Alvarez, connected with him on the subject of music. At the end of each visit, they started singing together. Gilbert would play the guitar and Libby would sing. Gilbert and Libby invited VNA’s Business Development team to join them on their last visit to film their performance. Their rendition of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” was enjoyed by many of VNA’s social media followers.
991 Home patientsHealthserved
VNA’s Home Health program provides a variety of medical services to help patients maintain independence in the comfort of their own homes
—Verna Downing
VNA’s Hospice program improves quality of life through compassionate care and helps patients at the end of their lives achieve physical and emotional comfort Clifford Downing, a recent VNA patient, played in a band, Clifford Downing with Bad News, for almost 20 years. He opened for many Nashville stars including Johnny Paycheck and he even once played with Chubby Checker. Clifford and his wife, Verna, built their home and raised their daughter together. Clifford had always lived a full life, but when he was diagnosed with a terminal pulmonary condition, he needed some help from VNA’s Hospice program to continue to live his life to the fullest. VNA’s Hospice team helped Clifford breathe more easily, and his VNA nurse, Meagan, made several suggestions that helped him be much more comfortable “It’s been a big peace of mind, and we know we can depend on Meagan and trust her. She’s got great advice. She doesn’t give up on trying to help him understand this is a good thing to do and try it, and then he loves it and forgets she had to talk him into it. It’s just a real comfort, truly.”
With care and support from VNA’s Hospice team, Clifford was able to stay safely and comfortably in his own home with his wife of 52 years until he passed.
Happy Anniversary, VNA Hospice! August 2021, VNA’s Hospice program celebrated 40 years of improving quality of life.
In
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17,106 Home Health visits in 2021 991 Home patientsHealthserved in 2021 9,833 Hospice visits in 2021 308 Hospice patients served in 2021
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OF OUR COMMUNITY
VNA’s End-of-Life Doula program expanded to include a volunteer Doula, Kevin Lee, and a partnership with Banner Endings. End-of-Life Doula volunteers work alongside Hospice staff to enrich care for the patient and their family. In partnership with Lawrence– Douglas County Public Health, VNA helped protect homebound patients from COVID-19 by offering in-home vaccinations.
VNA staff also volunteered at various community COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
Again in 2021, VNA offered a safe and convenient drive-through flu shot clinic for seniors.
Since 1969, VNA has strived to care for members of the local community. In 2021, VNA cared for the community in a variety of ways.
WELCOME BACK!
VNA staff members took time to volunteer for and participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
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VNA staff members volunteered on Walk to School day to help encourage local students to feel comfortable and safe walking to school.
VNA’s services never stopped, but due to the pandemic, many activities and events were canceled in 2020. In 2021, some of these activities and events were able to return (from left): VNA’s office volunteers were invited to return on National Older Adults Day to enjoy some rock painting to decorate VNA’s Memorial Garden • VNA’s staff were also able to return to some activities in local senior living facilities, including an ice cream social at Bethel Estates • On a beautiful day in May, VNA’s staff gathered at Centennial Park to catch up with each other over lunch and games, after more than a year with only virtual meetings.
VNA provided exercise classes in senior living facilities throughout Lawrence, including at Wyndam Place, to help the residents stay active and healthy.
At VNA, our patients are our top priority, but in order to provide the best level of care, we need to take great care of our staff, too. We want our staff to be happy and healthy. Several committees at VNA help make work even more enjoyable for our staff.
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OF OUR OWN
An important part of maintaining VNA’s commitment to high-quality care is hiring new staff who share VNA’s values, especially the mentality. VNA is always looking to hire compassionate individuals who want to make a difference in patients’ lives, whether directly or through an administrative role.
The Social Committee organizes events to help staff connect and have fun.The Safety Committee works to keep staff safe at all times and in all scenarios.
patient-first
The Idea Committee makes it easy for staff to offer suggestions that improve workplace.the
The Wellness Committee came back strong in 2021 with a wellness challenge and other activities to encourage staff to focus on their own health.
OF OUR LEGACY
A Retirement QI/Compliance Manager, Kristin Reed (pictured in the center of the photo at left), retired in December 2021 after 10 years at VNA. Staff celebrated with a lunch and cake on her last day
A Major Milestone Anniversary Director of Clinical Services, Debbie Ahlert-Caffey, reached 30 years of service at VNA in 2021. She has been a tremendous asset for VNA over the last three decades and has made a difference in many patients’ lives.
The Marceil Lauppe Employee of the Year Award is presented annually to an employee who exemplifies the mission and values of Visiting Nurses. In 2021, Hospice RN, Nancy Lee was nominated by her peers and selected as the Marceil Lauppe Employee of the Year Award recipient Those who nominated Nancy cited her passion, genuine care and concern for her patients, and willingness to go above and beyond for VNA and her patients
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The Marceil Lauppe Employee of the Year Award
99% of admissions had timely initiated care 97% of patients and families received the help they needed when they called the VNA office 100% of patients received fall assessments 93% of patients and families stated VNA talked with them about home safety and fall prevention 92% of patients experienced improvement in pain 94% of patients discussed their pain with a VNA staff member 88% of patients and families would definitely recommend VNA to their family and friends (national average is 79%) 99% of the time, beliefs and values were addressed 96% of patients and families expressed that they received emotional and religious support (national average is 92%) 99% of the time, clinicians completed pain screenings 98% of patients and families reported that they obtained the appropriate amount of help with pain 94% of families and/or caregivers felt like VNA always treated them with respect 9 out of 10 families and/or caregivers gave VNA an “A” rating (higher than the national benchmark) 164 volunteer hours 95% of patients and families reported that someone from VNA reviewed their medications with them 12 Quality health care is a priority for Visiting Nurses, and we are continually monitoring and assessing the care we provide. It is important that we consistently score higher than state and national averages in our outcomes, processes and claims measures, but what our consumers say is just as important to us. Take a look at Visiting Nurses’ scores and how our patients and families rank us
QUALITY MEASURES AND PATIENT SATISFACTION HOME HOSPICEHEALTH
HOW OUR COMMUNITY CARES FOR US Community support is, and has always been, an important part of VNA’s continued success. In 2021, VNA continued to receive tremendous support from the local community.
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The Douglas County Community Foundation awarded VNA a $4,214 grant for therapy equipment to help patients rehabilitate more safely and efficiently. For some added fun, VNA’s Business Development team wrapped the new therapy equipment so the therapy staff could enjoy a holiday unwrapping party and assemble the equipment together.
Cans for the Community, a local non-profit that raises money through the recycling of aluminum cans, continued to support VNA with another $1,000 donation in January 2021.
Florine O’Rourke sews and donates adorable teddy bears for VNA’s Healing Kits to help bring comfort to grieving children. She received the Kansas Home Care and Hospice Association’s Home Care Hero award for her generosity.
The Midco Foundation awarded VNA $2,000 for physical therapy software to help VNA’s therapy staff provide clear, easy-to-follow exercise programs to patients to aid in their recovery.
The Ethel and Raymond F. Rice Foundation continues to support VNA’s most vulnerable population of patients. VNA received an $80,000 grant to support charity care in 2021.
2021 Fundraising and Grants: $457,540.83 3 d Donor and Sponsor Appeal Annual Appeal United Way Ethel and Raymond F. Rice Foundation Grant Douglas County Community Foundation Grant Midco Foundation Grant Douglas County Grant 2021 Other Support: $814,764.72 OtherMemorialsMonetary Donations Other In-Kind Donations Major Gifts To see a complete list of donors, visit KansasVNA.org 2021 Total Revenue: $8,582,392.32 Patient Revenue County Contributions/Fundraising/GrantsFunding In-Kind Donations Investment Income 2021 Total Expenditures: $6,449,868.72
Administrative Expense Operating Expense Investment Expense 14
Patient Care Expenses
OF 99% of admissions had timely initiated care 97% of patients and families received the help they needed when they called the VNA office 100% of patients received fall assessments 93% of patients and families stated VNA talked with them about home safety and fall prevention 92% of patients experienced improvement in pain 94% of patients discussed their pain with a VNA staff member 88% of patients and families would definitely recommend VNA to their family (national average is 79%) 99% of the time, beliefs and values were addressed 96% of patients and families expressed that they received emotional and religious support (national average is 92%) 99% of the completed pain 98% of patients reported withappropriatethatamountpain 94% of families and/or caregivers felt like VNA always treated them with respect 9 out of 10 families and/or caregivers gave VNA an “A” rating (higher than the national benchmark) 1,494 hours donated by volunteers in 2021 (in various capacities: in the office, for the Hospice program, at the drive-through flu shot clinic, and with Care Link), a savings to the organization of $37,260.36 95% of patients and families that someone from VNA reviewed their medications with them
BUSINESS
Jodie Barr, D.O. Vice President Janelle Williamson, N.P.-C., A.C.H.P.N. Ex Officio: Cynthia Lewis, M H S A , C P H Q Walter Farrell, M DEllen Chindamo (through May 2021) Shari Quick, M D , Secretary (through May 2021) Sue Iverson, M S M , B.S.N., B.S., R.N., President (through May 2021) Gary BeasleyCarol Wheeler, R.N., B S N , F A C H E , Treasurer Alice Brewer Sheryle D’Amico, M H A , P T (through May 2021) Janette Kirkpatrick Lori Heasty, J.D., President 15 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rosalie McMaster, Ph D Michael IreneSecretaryTaylorByrnePatrick Brown Jim Moore David Thomas, A.P.R.N.-B.C. 99% of admissions had timely initiated care 97% of patients and families received the help they needed when they called the VNA office 100% of patients received fall assessments 93% of patients and families stated VNA talked with them about home safety and fall prevention 92% of patients experienced improvement in pain 94% of patients discussed their pain with a VNA staff member 88% of patients and families would definitely recommend VNA to their family and friends (national average is 79%) 99% of the time, beliefs and values were addressed 96% of patients and families expressed that they received emotional and religious support (national average is 92%) 99% of the time, clinicians completed pain screenings 98% of patients and families reported that they obtained the appropriate amount of help with pain 94% of families and/or caregivers felt like VNA always treated them with respect 9 out of 10 families and/or caregivers gave VNA an “A” rating (higher than the national benchmark) 1,494 hours donated by volunteers in 2021 (in various capacities: in the office, for the Hospice program, at the drive-through flu shot clinic, and with Care Link), a savings to the organization of $37,260.36 164 volunteer contributedhoursin2021 by VNA’s Board of Directors, committeeandbimonthlyincludingmeetingsadditionalmeetings 95% of patients and families reported that someone from VNA reviewed their medications with them
CSuiteStreet,Maine20066044KSLawrence, NONPROFITINDICIAHERE
2021 ANNUAL REPORT
The last two years have been hard on everyone, including the healthcare community, both in terms of stress and increased costs. When the pandemic first hit, it turned the economy upside down Now, we have been hit by a double crisis — pandemic and war
VNA has faced drastically increased costs due to these devastating global struggles and has been affected by the ensuing inflation. With a mobile workforce, gas prices affect us more than most healthcare organizations. The cost of the pandemic in terms of PPE and other expenses continues to negatively affect our bottom line. Meanwhile, Medicare reimbursement continues to decrease. Our organization relies on all avenues of funding to provide charity care to some of our most vulnerable patients
HELP IF
All of this combined has had a significant impact on our organization, and could threaten VNA’s ability to provide the ever-increasing amounts of charity care needed in our Home Health and Hospice programs Despite these challenges, we are committed to our patients and employees, and dedicated to our mission of “Improving quality of life through compassionate patient care wherever you call home.” Even though these changes have been difficult on our organization, we are still here to serve you Your continued support, big or small, makes it possible PLEASE YOU CAN. We’ll get through these tough times — together. Visit KansasVNA.org/donate estimated loss in Medicare reimbursement for services rendered per year 144% increase in charity care expense from the same time last year 22% increase in employee gas fromreimbursementthistimelastyear
$147,000+
