Volume 31 - 2010
Transcription
Volume 31 - 2010
A Newsletter for Employees, by Employees Volume 31 - 2010 Special points of interest: Town Hall Meetings 4 President’s Circle Awards 7 Commitment to Quality 10 President of NAHC (National Association for Home Care & Hospice) Val J. Halamandaris was the Keynote Speaker at our Addus National Agency Directors Meeting September 2, 2009. President’s Corner Health care reform is the most important health legislation since There are big years…and then there are the passage of Medihistoric years. care in 1965. While We just completed a historic year. some may challenge We started the year coming to grips with the methods and tacMark Heaney an economy in trouble...big trouble. In Janu- tics employed in draftPresident & CEO ary, we inaugurated a new President from a ing this legislation, new generation, from a part of our American few will challenge community that had never before held the the ultimate goal. Who does not favor nation’s highest office. This President promised us change…big change. We then spent bringing health care services to the 40 milthe entire year immersed in a national debate lion under-covered or uninsured? Who does not favor making sure that all Americans can over health care, leading to the passage of get the health care service they need, when historic legislation promising to change the they need it, without facing the additional way health care is delivered in this country fear that receiving care will financially and for generations to come. Oh, and in the midst of it all, your Company became a pub- emotionally ruin their family? But, as we have all come to understand lic Company, with all of the associated opover the yearlong debate, it isn’t that simple. portunities and responsibilities. There are questions to be answered. Big and The most serious economic crisis in 60 complicated questions. The biggest is how years, historic health care legislation and two we are going to pay for this. This we know major milestones for Addus HealthCare – our th – we cannot pay for an additional 40 million 30 anniversary and our public offering. I insured continuing to do deliver health care think that qualifies as a historic year. (continued on page 2) 2009 - A Year for The Books First Addus National Agency Directors Meeting— September 1, 2, 3, 2009 It was a historical time for Addus HealthCare. The company management came together to celebrate their 30th year anniversary by holding the first National Agency Directors meeting in Chicago. All Agency and Branch Directors from our 120 offices and 16 states were brought together for the first time. They had the opportunity to interact with their peers, and participate in educational sessions. One of the high points of the meeting was the keynote speaker Val J. Halamandaris, President of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) since 1982. Mr. Halamandaris is something of a renaissance man. In addition to being a trade association executive, he is an attorney, author, publisher, editor, producer of films for television, a published photographer and humanitarian. He won nationwide recognition for his role as a congressional in- vestigator and his efforts to expose fraud against the elderly. He is best known for the hard-hitting congressional investigations he directed into insurance fraud, medical quackery, real estate fraud, nursing home abuse, and other scams victimizing the elderly. He has produced more hearings on the subject of aging and/or health care than any staff member before or after him. His work has been featured on CBS's "60 Minutes" and ABC's "20/20" and in national magazines such as Time, Newsweek, and US News and World Report. Mr. Halamandaris’ inspirational message to our attendees was simple. Our company is in the forefront of keeping people in their homes where they want to be. He congratulated our employees for working in the home care industry and for providing care to people in need. (See more pictures on page 2 and 3.) President’s Corner—continued exactly as we have for the past 100 years. We have to change. We want to be part of the new solution. Delivering health care in the home is part of the solution to skyrocketing health care costs. Home care costs far less than delivering similar care in a facility and, as we all know, our consumers much prefer to remain at home. However, as effective as home care providers are, there is more we can do to lower costs and improve consumer outcomes, and we accept responsibility for doing so. In its current state, health care in America is delivered through a series of separate and disconnected service providers. Doctors do what they do. Hospitals do what they do. Rehabilitation facilities do what they do. Home health care providers do what they do. There isn’t much communication or integration among the various providers until one is ready to transfer a consumer to another. Until that transfer takes place, there is little to no communication among the various providers about this often very sick and very complex consumer. This lack of communication, and this failure to continuously evaluate the consumer and coordinate care, is not only inefficient and wasteful, it places the consumer at increased risk. It is a system designed to waste and at that it is successful. Whether healthcare reform passes this year or not, we have to change. We serve over 50,000 at risk mostly elderly consum- ers every year. Our 12,000 health care professionals see our consumers almost every day. That is a powerful resource almost entirely paid for by each of us – the taxpayers. We have a duty to do more. Our goal is to be a comprehensive provider of home care services where we are and to practice to the lowest cost of care. We are going to accomplish our goal by not only providing the health services we are expected to provide, but to use each moment with our vulnerable consumers to monitor for changing needs and to communicate identified needs to other health care professionals, as appropriate, as early as possible. Identifying and reporting changing needs and worsening conditions among our more frail consumers allows for early intervention before conditions aggravate. Early intervention lowers health care costs, promotes health and wellness and improves consumer outcomes and satisfaction. At Addus HealthCare, we see community based home care as the keystone in a comprehensive arch of long term care services. Our 12,000 health care professionals are on the front line of support making it possible for tens of thousands to live at home, where they want to be, and to do so healthfully, safely and increasingly cost-effectively. We enthusiastically support health care initiatives extending basic health care to all Americans, and we want to do more to lower costs and improve outcomes. We can. We will. We are. Pictures from the First Agency Directors Meeting in Chicago To the right is Patti King, Regional Director Nevada, Ryan Jacobsen, Regional Director Northwest in the background with Val Halamandaris Sharon Rudden, Divisional Vice President-Home Health, presented Val Halamandaris, President NAHC a thank you gift for addressing our attendees at the National Meeting. Darby Anderson, Divisional Vice President Home and Community Services, Val Halamandaris and Mark Heaney, President and CEO. Page 2 Addus management during Mr. Halamandaris’ lecture Additional Memories of the National Meeting From left to right: Alma Phillips, Regional Director Home Health, Cindi Starek, Agency Director Home Health Chicago, Royann Johnston, Administrative Assistant Home Health Kelly Marang, Agency Director Coeur d'Alene, ID and Hope Brackett, Agency Director Lewiston, ID Illinois Program Directors, Adult Day Services —left to right: Sharol Carter, Mt. Vernon, Tami Foster, Springfield, Kerri Pendley, Regional Director ADS, Marna Ames, Marion, Melanie Whitfield, South Cook. Support Center Employees came to the meeting to greet all Agency and Branch Directors Northern Illinois Agency Directors Home & Community Svcs.Top row left to right: Kathy Burton, Nicole Milks, Christine Alcorn, Barbara Needham, Dawn Stanley, Cheryl Lewis. Sitting left to right: Susan Thompson, Kim Cox/Regional Director, Margaret Raines, Lushun James and Jason Branch. Home & Community Services East and South, top row: Jonathan Davis, Kinston & New Bern, NC; Mike Brown/ Regional Director; sitting left to right-Donetta Steiner, North Carolina State Director, Donna Kennedy, Alabama State Director, Debbie Kramer, Pottsville, PA. Page 3 OUR BELIEFS AND VALUES We Make a Difference During the past few months, Paul Diamond, Vice President of Human Resources, and Darby Anderson, Divisional Vice President of Home & Community Services, along with other members of our senior executive team, joined the Regional and Agency Directors in conducting fun and exciting “town hall” employee meetings highlighting the key elements of Addus’ Beliefs and Values, as well as our Company’s mission, vision and service integration opportunities. During these meetings, we recognized and celebrated the employees of Addus, and underscored the importance of our collective efforts and the value we add to the lives of the 23,000 consumers we serve. Thus far, we have connected with over 5,500 employees from 50 branches in six states, including most of those in Illinois and the Northwest Region, and three in California. Mt.Vernon, IL-Front row left to right: HCA’sDonna Brassie, Elsie Palmer, Sharon Minor, and Betty Barker, Agency Director. Back row left to right: Greg Heck, Regional Director, Darby Anderson, Divisional Vice President, Jodell Schenk, Family Service Specialist. Spokane, WA and Coeur d’Alene, ID meeting We Support Health & Wellness We Do Our Best We Promote Independence We Are Kind and Respectful We Value Diversity & Teamwork We Are Professional We are Friendly and Fun We Communicate We Celebrate Our Everyday Heroes We Keep Our Promises We Care Marion, IL meeting Wheaton, IL meeting “The HCA’s said this was the best in-service they ever had. Paul Diamond was very good at making us feel appreciated...We all enjoyed the day.” Betty Barker, Agency Director, Mt.Vernon, IL. “I could work anywhere doing what I do, but we do it better!” Sherry Parmley, Marion, IL Home Care Aide “It felt so great to know we are appreciated. We are proud to be a part of the Mt. Carmel team. We know we matter.” Mt. Carmel Home Care Aide. “We heard very positive feedback from the majority of the staff...Paul Diamond and Darby Anderson did an excellent job expressing the importance of caregivers and the role they play in our Company’s overall success.” Kelly Marang, Agency Director, Coeur d’Alene, ID Page 4 We Promote Independence He may not talk much, but he is a character. Mel has been a regular visitor to the Longview WA. Addus office since respite Caregiver Greg Churchhill began bringing him nearly two years ago. Mel suffered a stroke at 47 years old. For the first year, he rode around in a wheel chair. Now he takes off on foot, sometimes forgetting his quad - cane and having to turn around to get it. His walk isn't smooth, but with his foot brace on, it gets him where he needs to go. And when Greg is along, the two of them go plenty of places. Pictured left is Mel with a sturgeon he caught. Unfortunately, it was an inch or so too short to keep. But it makes a great picture and proud story to relate and he does often. Mel's a people person, and although he doesn't use many words, he gets himself understood. And for those who know how to get him talking or gesturing such as the Addus staff, he becomes quite the conversationalist. His sense of humor has him cracking up at almost anything amusing. With a positive attitude toward life, Mel's hopeful for even greater recovery, and a whole lot more fishing! We Make a Difference Boise, Idaho - Deb Newell, C.N.A. was recognized as caregiver of the month and wanted to share her award for outstanding service with her client. Pete has been a paraplegic for over 50 years and has had the full gambit of care from home health care, wound care at the Valley’s top notch clinic, to a stay in a skilled nursing home. Even with all this care, it took over two years for his wound to heal, and Addus with Deb’s care made it possible. Pete is grateful to be home and happy. Deb takes good care of his skin and is able to transfer him to his wheel chair without injury. Pete is the kind of man that knows quality in people. He was raised during the depression and was not shy in saying that Deb is truly a wonderful person and deserves the recognition award. They have a special relationship. Deb has shared with Pete her dream to become a registered nurse. It’s more than a dream; Deb now works days for A Full Life/Addus Healthcare, nights at the VA hospital and uses her “spare time” to take on-line classes aimed at that goal. Pictured left is Pete, Deb and her Supervisor, Jennifer. We Do Our Best We Support Health & Wellness Client Letter to Home Care Aide Marion (Anna) Illinois Sisters Celebrate Milestone Birthdays in New Mexico Four sisters who all celebrated their birthdays together this year. Left to right, Eremita age 105, Leonardita 100, Grabielita 96, Celina 86. Addus Healthcare, Espanola, NM has the honor of serving two of these special women Eremita & Grabielita with our home care services. Ladies we wish you many more birthdays to come! Page 5 Addus HealthCare Celebrates Opening of Evergreen Club Adult Day Center in Homewood, IL by Dave Bayless On July 27, 2009 the Homewood, Illinois Evergreen Club Adult Day Center had it’s grand open house. “Addus HealthCare is proud to open this new center which, in many ways, is a living, breathing illustration of our full commitment to delivering the best possible care to a vital, vibrant and valued population,” said Addus HealthCare President and CEO Mark Heaney. “We want individuals to remain healthy, active and independent, and throughout our organization, our employees deliver on that commitment every day.” Addus Evergreen Club outgrew its older facility, also in Homewood, which had less than half the current facility’s capacity and was not centrally located. The new center at 1818 Ridge Road is ideally located near parks, recreation facilities and downtown Homewood. The range of services provided by the center include nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medication administration and supervision, personal care assistance, regular blood pressure and weight checks, a beauty shop, podiatry services, coordination of medical services, individual care planning, door-to-door transportation, meal service and therapeutic activity programming. Activities and programming at Evergreen Club include daily exercise programs, community outings, music ther- apy, games, computer activities, regular religious services and arts and crafts. Addus offers separate specialty programming for younger adults. Adult day services have proven to be a crucial component in the rapidly growing elder care field. Studies have proven that seniors who receive stimulation and socialization on a regular basis are more likely to stay healthier longer and to live a longer, more rewarding life. Adult day care centers like Addus’ Evergreen Clubs provide individuals with a place to go to socialize, remain active and to receive basic healthcare. “We know that even a minimal amount of activity on a daily basis is enough to stave off illness. We strive to give our clients much more than that in a welcoming, comforting and upbeat atmosphere,” said Kerri Pendley, Regional Director for Addus HealthCare. “Helping our clients stay active, healthy and independent is our overarching goal.” The Evergreen Club in Homewood currently serves 80 regular clients daily, but this new location offers the opportunity to service up to 166 clients daily. The Club’s service area extends east to the Illinois/Indiana border, north to Calumet Park and as far south as Crete. Addus’ fleet of seven vehicles provide daily transportation to the center Monday through Friday. Pictured above is Mikka Williams, the Acitivity Director sitting at center table with clients in the main room of the ADS center. Below standing at right is Mark Heaney, President & CEO of Addus HealthCare helping conduct a Bingo Game at the center. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, left to right: Richard Hoefeld, Mayor of Homewood, Jason Branch, Agency Director South Cook Home & Community Services, Charles Johnson, Director of IDOA, Mark Heaney, President & CEO Addus HealthCare, Melanie Whitfield, Program Director Evergreen Club. Below from left to right: Nurse Kim, CNA Kristi, Nurse Sarah. Page 6 President’s Circle Award of Excellence for 2008 Christine Alcorn Agency Director Joliet, IL James Buck Agency Director Decatur, IL Kathy Burton Agency Director Wheaton, IL Diane Masters Agency Director Marion, IL Sandi Mauricio Agency Director Concord, CA Bonnie Snow Agency Director Chico, Red Bluff, Redding, CA Linda Stinson Agency Director Modesto, CA Betty Barker Agency Director Mt. Vernon, IL Kim Cox Regional Director Southern IL Kim Evans Agency Director Anna, IL Nancy Brinkman Agency Director Quincy, IL Addus HealthCare announced the 2008 recipients of the President’s Circle Award of Excellence at the National Meeting this past September. The award is given to branch offices and regions for outstanding performance. Each winner receives a President’s Circle Award; a glass circle plaque and a President’s Circle glass paperweight for their administrative staff. Donna Kennedy Agency Director Mobile, AL Martin Kleyweg Agency Director Niles, IL Tammy Loman Branch Director Mt. Vernon, IL Larry Smith D’etta Palmatier Debbie Mitchell Gretchen Perkins Margaret Raines Dotty Schwab Agency Director Regional Director Agency Director Agency Director Agency Director Agency Director Midwest & East Salem, OR Springfield, IL Rogers, AR Libby, MT Chicago, IL Lora Suter Agency Director Decatur, IL Barbara Walch Agency Director Medford, OR Melanie Whitfield Program Director South Cook, IL Lala Williams Regional Director Northern IL & IN Cheryl Wright Agency Director Fairview Heights, IL Addus HealthCare’s Mission Statement It is the primary mission of Addus HealthCare to improve the health and well-being of our consumers through the provision of quality, cost-effective healthcare services. We will accomplish our goals by fostering an environment in which our employees enthusiastically support and advance our mission. Reward for accomplishing our mission includes pride in our organization, contribution to the community and a reasonable profit. Page 7 National Employee of the Month Winners May 2009 Pat Capriotti, Service Coordinator, Kankakee, IL Home Care #3230 – Nominated by Tiffony Banks, Integration Coordinator and Donna McNally, Vice President of Integrated Services. Pat is one of those Service Coordinators who go above and beyond her normal duties. She is cooperative, collaborative, always has a smile on her face. She is willing to learn new procedures and always follows through any tasks she has undertaken. Pat constantly networks with doctors and the community to obtain referrals for Addus. She averages 10 to 20 referrals a week. Pat has taken the time to speak at a recent In-Service of Homecare Aides to inquire what skilled services may be needed by their clients. She truly cares about our clients and wants to promote the healthiest lifestyle possible for seniors in their own homes. Tara Brown, HCA , Marion, IL Private Duty #4260 - Nominated by Jane Wil- liams, Branch Director. On March 15th there was a wicked windstorm that hit Southern Illinois and the Marion area. The news reported 106 miles per hour winds and called it an “inland hurricane”. Page 8 Homes, cars, and businesses were damaged. Because of Tara and her quick reflexes, two senior’s lives were spared. Tara was at work at her client’s home when the storm occurred. A neighbor living next door was concerned about Tara’s client and wanted to check on her. She struggled to get up the stairs because of the fierce winds. Tara went to help the neighbor to get into her client’s house when a tree in the front yard cracked and snapped in two right in the spot where the neighbor was standing. If Tara did not pull the neighbor into the house, the tree would have fallen right on top of her. Tara was a hero and saved her life. Thank you Tara, for your quick thinking in a moment of distress. gave the patient the urgent care that was needed. She wanted to make sure the patient was in no pain and was properly cared for. This is true dedication. Thank you Sandra for all that you do. June 2009 Bertha McKinley, Clinical Service Coordinator, Chicago South, IL Home Health #4241 – Nominated by Kathy Lindeman, Private Duty Nurse Supervisor. Bertha deserves this award because she routinely rises to the many daily challenges and changes in our Private Duty Nursing department. She is organized and can multi task. Clients, staff, referral sources, physicians are always impressed on her professional manner and positive attitude. Bertha maintains that the client comes first. They need to be reassured that their needs are met. She personally confirms that they are. The staff does thank her often, but she just laughs and says, “but that’s my job”. The entire Chicago South office says, “Thank you for all that you do”. Rosemary Miller, HCA , Quincy, ILHome & Community Services #3390 - Nominated by LaShonta Woodson, Scheduling Supervisor. Rosemary is a very excellent employee who will go out of her way Sharon Johns, HCA, Champaign, IL for our customers in the Pittsfield Home Care #3220– Nominated by Marie area. She is diligent in calling the office Grider, Service Coordinator. Sharon is truly with any schedule changes each week and a wonderful, professional and dedicated makes sure she reschedules service with HCA. She is loved by her clients and cares clients who have had to miss their normal for each and everyone as if they were very scheduled time. She is always pleasant, special people. She was assigned an inpolite and has a positive smile. Rosemary terim client that was very difficult with works hard and deserves this recognition. numerous extenuating circumstances. Sharon took the assignment in stride and Cleo Nagle, RN, Philadelphia, PAhandled the client professionally. She is a great asset to Addus and an extraordinary Home & Community Services #2010 Nominated by Bernice Drinks, Director of HCA. Home & Community Services. Cleo is the RN Field Supervisor for Philadelphia, ChesSandra Robbins, RN, Little Rock, AR , ter and Montgomery Counties. She has Care Network #4700 – Nominated by been an Addus employee since 1995. She Melinda Black, Agency Director. Sandra is a very caring person and is always lookwas assigned to a patient who had cancer ing out for the welfare of her clients. The and required a special sterile catheter and Philadelphia Corporation for Aging has drainage kit. This kit was to be delivered reported how very pleased they are with while Sandra was visiting the client. She the services that Cleo provides her clipatiently waited nearly three hours and ents. Thank you Cleo for all your good never complained about the lost time. She work. called the supplier and was told that it would be delivered the next day. Sandra Vera “Kay” Stillwell, Caregiver, Repubtold the family that if anything changed they could reach her on her cell phone and lic, WA- Home & Community Services #6103- Nominated by Wendy Taylor, Asshe would return to take care of the patient. At 8 p.m. she received a call that the sistant Agency Director. Vera is a wondersupplies were delivered that evening. Due ful example of what we want in an Addus to the urgency of administering the proce- employee. She has been taking care of a very difficult client for over two years withdure to the patient, Sandra drove back to out a complaint and always trying to imtheir home which was an hour away and prove on her clients care. Everyday she National Employee of the Month Winners stays the course with a smile. We thank her for her professionalism and continued diligence in a tough working environment. July 2009 Adriane Jackson, Service Coordinator, Chicago, IL Home Care & Community Services #3240 – Nominated by Francine Winters, Financial Reporting ManagerSupport Center. The Chicago office is a very busy office with over 1400 employees, serving approximately 4,000 clients in a single month. The office is a constant stream of people, with non-stop phones ringing. Adriane has many responsibilities, one of which is to provide relief for phone coverage. Even in this hustle and bustle atmosphere, he always manages a smile and is friendly and courteous when answering the phones. He never forgets to identify the branch and himself to all callers. Many times when I call the office and the individual I am seeking is away from their desk, instead of placing me in voice mail, Adriane routinely finds the person I need. Addus is fortunate to have an employee like Adriane who is a pleasure to work with. Kerri Bridges, Program Assistant, Mt. Vernon, IL- Adult Day Center #3830 - and is sought after by many of our clients to have him as their Home Care Aide. He will call in and volunteer to be a fill-in whenever he is free and will travel anywhere he is assigned. Don is a shining example of a great Home Care Aide and is deserving of the honor of National Employee of the Month. Daniela Mejia, CNA, San Diego, CA – Private Duty #7460 - Nominated by Mariannah Kalanzi, Staff Manager. Daniela is a dedicated, compassionate, reliable and dependable worker. She has been with Addus for five years and is well liked by staff, clients, case workers and coworkers. Daniela goes out of her way to meet the needs of our clients and will rearrange her schedule to assist any clients in need. Her hard work and kindness to others is praised by all. Thank you Daniela for you passion and devotion to your job. August 2009 - Nominated by Candie Hoven, Agency Director. June is one of our Occupational Therapist and has been with Addus/A Full Life since March 2007. She is a dedicated, reliable and flexible and will cover any other OT if they are on vacation. She will travel over 100 miles each way to provide treatment to our clients. We thank you June for a job well done and being a part of the Addus family. Terri Smith, HCA, Quincy, IL- Home & Community Services #3390 - Nominated by Nancy Brinkman, Agency Director. Terri was a new employee who was assigned a very challenging client. The client was bedridden, and whose life circumstances changed over the past few years from being very affluent financially to now finding it necessary to rely on public assistance programs. Terri provides services to this client 5 times a week, twice a day. She has helped to improve the client’s quality of life by helping the client live on a budget and within her means, keeping her home clean and helping her client cope with life’s changing situations. Terri is a valued employee to the Quincy office, as well as to her clients. Kimberly Wanland, HCA, Wheaton, ILHome & Community Services #3290- Nominated by Gina Hernandez, Intake Specialist. A letter received from a client sums up why Kim should be the “Employee of the Month”. Quote – “I would like to take this opportunity to let you know how very pleased I am to have Kim as my caregiver. She is one of the best workers that I have had and I wanted to assure that she received the recognition that she deserves. She is not Monica Klimek, Receptionist, Niles, IL only caring and understanding of my situaHome & Community Services #3320 – tion, but has provided the efficient and Nominated by Martin Kleyweg, Agency Director. I feel compelled to nominate Monica wonderful care and cleanliness of my apartKlimek as “Employee of the Month”. She is ment. She sees what needs to be done and the epitome of the proverbial “Girl Friday”. does it without hesitation. I have had previShe takes on responsibilities from all depart- ous caregivers that don’t come anywhere near the quality and expertise of Kim. I ments of our busy office. As receptionist would appreciate it very much if Kim could she is the first one to come in contact with all who call or come into our office. As she receive recognition for her dedication and hard work. Thanks for all your help.” Sinreceives calls, she identifies the client’s needs and will try to address the issues and cerely, John P.M. – Unquote. try to handle and resolve them rather than Don DeJarnett, HCA, Fairview Heights, pass them on. Monica has made it her busiVolume 31 Newsletter Staff IL- Home & Community Services #3260 ness to learn many different aspects of what Editor: Becky Diacou - Nominated by Sheila Tiemann, Service it takes to make our office run smoothly. Coordinator. Don has been an employee for She has learned to compile information from Co-Editor: Laura Ness Content: Dave Bayless, Paul Diamond, Wanda one year. He was looking for employment different sources to complete surveys and Kullas, Marly Auerbach, Tess Cannon, Melanie where he could be of moral support and reports. Monica is proactive, professional Whitfield assist seniors in activities of daily life. Don and always has a smile on her face. We would like to hear news from our offices. If has had a lot of experience working with you have submissions for upcoming newsletters, people and has an understanding of the June Fogerty, Occupational Therapists, please send to: issues that face seniors every day. He is a Coeur d’Alene, ID- Home Health #7320 [email protected] very dependable employee, always on time, Nominated by Sharol Carter, Program Director-ADC. Kerri has been a Program Assistant at the Mt. Vernon Adult Day Center since April 2009. She has been an enthusiastic addition to our team and the clients enjoy seeing her every day. Recently she took a few days off due to her husband’s return to the states from Iraq. The clients missed her and several of them asked every day when would Kerri be returning. At the center Kerri is involved in the activity programs and she assists the clients with whatever their needs are. She and a Nurse Assistant have been instrumental in starting a dance team at the center with a group of our young adults. Their goal is to perform in the community in the near future. Addus and our clients are please to nominate her for Employee of the Month. Page 9 Commitment to Quality By Marly Auerbach, Director of Clinical Quality Management Home Health Care News FEDERAL efforts to improve health care in the United States and reduce waste include having an informed public. One of the important ways for the public to compare competing home health agencies, nursing homes and hospitals on their quality of care rankings is to have access to information about their quality of patient care. The Centers for Medicare (CMS) thinks that knowledge about a hospital, nursing or home health agency’s quality measures will influence the public to make choices about which one to select for themselves or their family member. CMS wants health care providers to work toward making the care they give to their patients better and more cost effective. Consumer choice would be an additional stimulus to agencies to accomplish this goal. Quality Measures Addus Health Care agencies, along with all other certified home health agencies in the United States, are evaluated on their patient care with the use of a uniform patient assessment. The uniform patient care assessment is called the OASIS Assessment (Outcome Assessment and Information Set). Assessment information is gathered at the start of care and at different intervals during the course of patient care. At the end of patient care a discharge OASIS is performed. Statisticians compare the patient information from admission to discharge to determine if the patients who should have made an improvement actually did achieve that gain. The statistical information is added and then tested for accuracy. CMS uses various statistical risk adjustment methods to determine that the results are accurate across agencies and across different regions of the country. A portion of the results are published on the Medicare internet site and made available for public comparison. Other information is collected and can be used by licensure surveyors but it is not made available to the public. What is Measured Home health quality outcome measures relate to improvement in getting around, meeting the patient’s activities of daily living, measuring how home health care ends and measures related to patient medical emergencies. Page 10 How to See the Quality Measures The way you get this important information is to go to www.medicare.gov. On that page you will see banner listings for comparing prescription plans, medigap policies, hospitals, dialysis centers, nursing home and home health agencies. Click on any one of these and follow the prompts to learn more about providers that you are interested in. The banner Home Health Compare is halfway down the main page. Comparing Providers You can select information for more than one provider. At the bottom of the list of providers is a box that says “compare”. If you select that box, a graph will display the achievement results of different providers for different outcome measures. You will see information below prepared by Medicare explaining to consumers how to use the results of the quality measures. There are differences in how home health agencies operate and one may meet your needs better than another. For example, if you had hip surgery and needed rehabilitation you would want to know how the agencies compare in: ♦ Percentage of patients who get better at walking or moving around ♦ Percentage of patients who get better at getting in and out of bed ♦ Percentage of patients who have less pain when moving around. Sample Home Health Agencies Percentage of patients Percentage of patients Percentage of patients who get better at who get better at who have less pain walking or moving getting in and out of when moving around around bed National Average 37% 51% 60% State Average 35% 49% 73% Agency A 33% 50% 60% Agency B 45% 52% 74% Agency C 40% 47% 65% Higher percentages are better for this measure. Compare Agency A, Agency B, and Agency C. Look at how each agency scored on the same measure. You can call the agency to ask for more information about their quality measures. 1. Does each agency at least meet the state or national average? 2. Does one agency have a better average than the state and national average? 3. How do the agencies compare to each other for each measure that is of interest to you? Agency B has higher scores than Agency A and Agency C and this may be one of the reasons you want to choose Agency B. What Are We Doing At Addus? The first thing we must do is embrace the challenge. Complacency is our enemy. There is no reason why Addus HealthCare, Inc. cannot be one of the leaders in patient care quality throughout all of our offices if we work together as a team to make that happen. We will work to be sure that our OASIS information is as accurate as possible so that the data we are judged on is as accurate as possible. We will incorporate proven interventions, known as “Evidence Based Practices,” into the care that we provide to our patients. “Evidence based Practices” are closely associate with high quality home health agencies. We will assess the success of these efforts and continue to refine them and improve them. Quality improvement has been defined as a journey, you never arrive as you always keep striving for. Together we will take the journey to assuring that our patients receive the best from us that we can give them. “We Heard it through the Grapevine…” Meet Melanie Whitfield’s, Program Director South The ribbon cutting for the new Addus HealthCare office in WashCook ADS, and her new friends. They competed in the ington, NC. Donetta Steiner, State Director cutting the ribbon with Senior Olympics swim event held September 19, 2009 her staff. in Springfield, IL. Seniors ranging in age from 50 years What Sharol Carter, Program Director Mt. Vernon Adult Day Services did to raise attendance at the center. OMG! She shaved her head! AND IT WORKED!!! See before and after below. Attendance greatly improved at the center. At-a Girl! Cade is the grandson of Debra Gaunt, Administrative Assistant South Cook ADS who has been diagnosed with Autism. She was named an “Autism Angel” by the Autism Society of Southern Illinois for her work and staunch support of the organization. Her goal is to educate the public and spread knowledge about Autism. Mary Lou Manola, Supervisor Accounts Payable at the Support Center is pictured with her son Ross on left and friend Chad. Both are traveling and working for WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms). They are volunteering on organic farms in Ireland, Spain, Italy, and Thailand. Working their way around the world! Spreading Halloween cheer at a local independent living facility—from left is Care Network Fort Smith’s Agency Director Karen Joiner (tin man), HCL Tiffany Gattis (Dorothy), PCA Michelle Lenard, and Home & Community Supervisor Tonja Pejic (scarecrow). The "ghoul" in the wheelchair is one of our clients that Michelle helped dress up for a costume contest. Page 11 Time Flies When You’re Having Fun Congratulations to our employees celebrating milestone anniversaries with Addus! May 2009 5 years Filomeno, Rosita Williams, Barbara S Burnett, Marsha Emery, Jackie D Niehaus, Michelle Evans, Stacey M Brown, Tiffany Agres, Arkadiy Altynbayev, Ruslan Altynbayeva, Nadezhda Jarmon Jr, Randolph Looney, Bridgette Mc Clain, Nicole C Olive, Glenda F Varshavsky, Len Lenkov, Valentina Boucicaut, Gislaine Gomon, Maya Magana, Bertha L Zamostin, Lyubov Ford, Mona L Kayyal, Ghidda O Reed, Sarah J Rednour, Mavalene Burkley, Diane Kanterowitsch, Laura Musta, Barbara L Ramirez, Pamela M Lopez, Sanjuana Roones, Carol R Cobb, Cathleen S Dutra, April D Ivy, Katie R Espinoza, Marcella Ceballos, Margarita Flores, Rosalina Shore Mc Kinsey, Wendy Hardy, Myra L Sparks, Deborah K Rossberg, Gina Helppie, Amanda C Glenn, Chawana Dodd, Peggy L Mick, Melisa D Collins, Beverly A Rhyner, Tara L Fountain, Regina Snyder, Debra F 10 years Slifko, Patricia Mclendon, Dianna Gibson, Michelle Irons, Earllene Jackson, Ola Jones, Clara Soto, Maria Crockett, Jodie Angulo, Raquel 15 years Brown, Nancy Moore, Sally Ann Livitz, Arkady Schumaker, Lena L Gonzales, Sara Perez, Esther 25 years Thornton, Marilyn June 2009 5 years Maberry, Joyce Ritchie, Teresa M Banks, Vaughn Brown, Irma Danilova, Svetlana Diaconu, Natalia Didenko, Tetyana Dizik, Yelena Doroshenko, Oksana Foster, Measha G Mc Cain, Dorothy J Pastukh, Olha Reznik, Anatoliy Shperun, Liliya Winston, Samma Cano, Lonnie Hankerson, Louise Menifield, Katherine Ortiz, Carmen Blom, Valerie A Kosterina, Yevgeniya Bowen, Violetta Jackson, Vicki Peoples, Darrell Toliver, Martha A White, Sylvia Parbs, Wanda Wright, Kevin Jackson, Annie Pearson, Aishia Wilson, Casandra Kelsey, Johnnie Nall, Johnna M Angelini, Denise L Lafond, Lillian G Koshik, Lesya T Faily, Firouzeh Holm, Karen Artechi, Laura Gutierrez, Diana Tapia, Sylvia Weaver, Phyllis E Peters, Thoma C Kitchell, Robert S Girardi, Linda Houdek Hayward, Eileen Reid, Keila Hyde, Lisa M 10 years Hoskins, Nancy Cornell, Shirley Dantzler, Johnny Swarn, Mae Dekhtyar, Tatyana Hoskins, Nancy El Khaldy, Rasha Santana, Tomasa Castro, Esperanza Ruiz, Naomi Kramer, Debbie Roach, Julie J 15 years Massey, Linda Kemmerling, Sandra Osuna, Engracia 20 years Blevins, Clara S Wilson, Minnie 25 years Bass, Joyce Pillow, Katherine July 2009 5 years Davis, Ethel Hammond, Elizabeth Jones, Carolyn D Mills, Margaret R Brock, Annette Woods, Georgia Canaday, Eudorah Green, Nicole A Harris, Latoya Canaday, Eudorah Green, Nicole A Harris, Latoya Jordan, Mildred J Napaul, Etienne Norris, Sherry M Paev, Dmitriy Spencer, Marlene D Stewart, Catherine Voskolovych, Julia Buchanan, Barbara J Mouser, Susan V Martsenyuk, Yekatrina Baranchuk, Svetlana Rostovsky, Milla Royf, Galina Torres, Rosario Zelichenko, Veronika Baker, Latrice J Washburn, Sheryl Penn, Lillie Smith, Cheryl Colvin, Dana M Griffin, Leroy Skornyakov,Svetlana Vosahlo, V Sharlene Heritage, Barbara J Mann, Dara P Johnson, Kay Johnson, Myrl D Smith, Susan J Avery, Deandra Barker, Kim Jones, Holley Sellers, Sonja M Looker, Joyce M Ramirez, Lucia D Navas, Janet Schultz, John Segura, David Vigil, Amalia M Yorke, Carol De La Riva Espino,Amalia Rivera, Marcela Guiducci,Leport Hahn, Carol Lacrosse, Jo A Rafati, Shireen Ball, Tawana R Petty, Cynthia Masters, Diane Durrenberger, Susan Navarra, Marie A Page, Bill Abrego Hankton, Miriam Batey, Nida Ingram, Gloria Fishbaugh, Robert Meshell, Laura J Spesert Bergson,Elizabeth 10 years Poiroux, Sandra Hudson, Lisa Jones, Muriel P Robinson, Pamela Spencer, Carolyn Williams, Angela Wilson, Natalie Duckwitz, Betty Harper, Linda Crump, Christine Enciso, Maricela R Rabago, Maria T Wilkinson, Yvonne T Poiroux, Sandra 15 years Gardner, Bula Woodbury, Anna Healy, Rose M 20 years Martin, Leonia Gluzman, Alina Bramhall, Carol Nelson, Deborah Allen, Dierdra 25 years Enyart, Marietta F August 2009 5 years Evans, Latonya T Locke, Terry Conner, Deloise Doychinova, Rayna Jones, Lena Linder, Emiliya Melnikov, Inna Oliynyk, Orysya Reznik, Leonid Walker, Marlene Williams, Natasha Castronova, Susanne Oliyarnyk, Oksana Rogoj, Sabina Sayles, Doris Vanhorn, Kimberley Zubi, Mona Harrington,Constance Entin, Lilia Harris, Betty L Ulyanov, Elena V Stewart, Kathryn A Ulyanov, Elena V Stewart, Kathryn A Cassell, Delores Lamb, Janice M Porter, Kimberly I Booker, Ruby Kalajdzic, Dragica Neal, Shanicha R 2401 S. Plum Grove Road Phone: 847-303-5300 Palatine, IL 60067 Fax: 847-303-5376 Tinnie, Nealliccia T Khan, Sarah L Reinhardt Jr, Charles Leister, Johnnie L Shirley, Christina K Bennett, Sheldon Bill Piraino, Margaret M King, Arlene E White, Christine L Brooks, Terry A Hsia, Robert Pickett, Margery M Fishbaugh, Robert Meshell, Laura J Salvi, Ann Denegal, Dolores J Brown, Timothy Maldonado, Alicia Cardenas, Blanca Gonzales, Diana R Aleman, Rosalinda Anderson, Sophia Savage, Sue A Brinkman, Nancy H 10 years Wright, Wendy Collins, Sonya Gill, Jennifer Goodloe, Stacey Weatherspoon, Christine Karpats, Alla Cornelio, Santos Davis, Katherlina Henderson, Martha Lukin, Nadezhda Y Everett, Elisa L Chandler, Cheryl Reynolds, Karla 20 years Ness, Roger E Follin, Valerie Mc Coy, Gloria 25 years Finley, Kwang Cha Addus HealthCare is proud of it’s workforce. Thank you for your commitment.