Kenosha VNA named to Top 100 HomeCare Elite
Director of Clinical Services earns WOCN Board Certification as a
Certified Wound Care Nurse
Kenosha VNA CEO, Debra Hertzberg, wins 2011 Susan B. Anthony Award
Kenosha VNA Ranked Among Top 100 in the Nation
Healthy Habits, Kenosha VNA in the news
Kenosha VNA Recognized for 30 years of Leadership
Home Health Compare
Your Choice
If your doctor decides you need home health care, you have the freedom to choose among a list of participating Medicare-certified home health agencies that serve your area to give you the care and services you need. Your choice should be honored by your doctor, hospital discharge planner, or other referring agency. When selecting from several home health agencies, there are several factors to consider.
Measuring Quality
You can use the quality measures found in Home Health Compare to review what measures matter most to you and compare those measures for all the agencies.
Quality measures give you information about how well home health agencies provide care for their patients. They aim to provide consumers with a way to compare the quality of care from agencies in the realms of managing daily activities, managing pain and treating symptoms, treating wounds and
preventing pressure sores, preventing harm and
preventing unplanned hospital care.
The Difference
There is a difference in how home health agencies operate. Kenosha VNA consistently ranks above state and national averages for Home Health Compare patient outcomes. Click on the Medicare link to the right and see for yourself how Kenosha VNA compares. We’re sure you’ll find the proof you need to make a confident choice in home care providers.
Spotlight on Quality
![MPj04222110000[1]02](../assets/images/MPj04222110000_1_02.jpg "MPj04222110000[1]02")
To view Home Health Compare information on the Medicare web site, click here.
In 2006, Kenosha VNA successfully completed the Visiting Nurse Association of America (VNAA) CHAMP Program for geriatric medication management. In 2007 we were accepted to participate in the prestigious course again, this time covering all facets of caring for the home care patient in pain.
Why is Pain Management a Valuable Topic?
More than half of all older adults are affected by chronic or persistent pain. For many geriatric patients this daily pain leads to decreased mobility, anxiety, and even depression, resulting in an overall lower quality of life. VNAA CHAMP offers the opportunity to improve the quality of care and, in turn, the quality of life for our patients.
The CHAMP Program is a groundbreaking national practice improvement program designed by renowned home care, nursing and geriatric health experts. Kenosha VNA is honored to to be a participant.
Kenosha VNA Recognized for 30 years of Leadership in Home Care
CEO Debra Hertzberg accepts award from the Wisconsin Homecare Organization in recognition of 30 years of unfailing leadership in home care.
As a 32 year veteran of Kenosha VNA, the recognition has personal meaning to Debra. She has led the nonprofit home care agency through the uncertainty the health care field has seen over the past three decades. “This award is especially significant because I’ve had the privilege of witnessing each of those 30 years with Kenosha VNA. We’re very proud that we’ve remained independent and nonprofit while providing the best of care to our patients.”
Kenosha VNA CEO, Debra Hertzberg accepts WHO Home Care Award, May 2008
It is no accident that Kenosha VNA has remained a constant in the community all these years. The organization strives to meet and anticipate ever-changing health care needs of community members. According to Debra, it’s the right combination of hometown values and innovative programs that makes the difference.
The Wisconsin Homecare Organization (WHO) represents 80% of the home care industry in Wisconsin. Its mission joins together home care member organizations and individuals with shared commitment to every citizen in need of quality, affordable home care services.
“It is an honor to be recognized by an organization that has been a champion for quality Home Care in Wisconsin” says Debra. “Kenosha VNA is looking forward to another 30 years of working with such outstanding organizations as WHO for the benefit our patients.”
For more information on the Wisconsin Homecare Organization, visit www.wishomecare.org
Kenosha VNA named to the HomeCare Elite Top 100 in nation
In October 2010, Kenosha VNA announced that it has been named one of the top 100 home health agencies in the country, according to the 2010 HomeCare Elite. Now in its fifth year, the HomeCare Elite identifies the top 25 percent of home health agencies in the United States and further highlights the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall. Winners are ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, quality improvement and financial performance.
“The 2010 HomeCare Elite winners continue to demonstrate a commitment to providing their patients with the best possible care while performing at the highest level,” said Amanda Twiss, CEO of OCS HomeCare. “We congratulate Kenosha VNA on being one of the top home care agencies in the country. In addition, we salute all forward-thinking providers who are already working on measuring and improving their performance using OASIS-C outcomes and process measures and HH-CAHPS results. This important data will also be used in identifying the HomeCare Elite in the future.”
Kenosha VNA Chief Operating Officer, Shawn Zwirgzdas, credits the unique environment of continual learning with the company’s ability to rank as one of the HomeCare Elite. “The whole team, from the top down, promotes education and skill refinement. Clinicians are constantly expanding their knowledgebase with the most current standards and peer-reviewed research. The homecare team, which includes nurses, therapists, home health aides and medical social worker, excel in applying that knowledge and personalizing each patient’s care. The dedicated work of our entire agency has earned us a spot on the HomeCare Elite list four times over the past five years. 2010 is notable as Kenosha VNA is ranked among the top 100 of nearly 10,000 agencies. Kenosha VNA is the only independent home care agency from Wisconsin to achieve this.”
The 2010 HomeCare Elite is the only performance recognition of its kind in the home health industry. The 2010 HomeCare Elite is brought to the industry by OCS HomeCare, the leading provider of homecare information, and DecisionHealth, publisher of homecare’s most respected independent newsletter Home Health Line. The data used for this analysis were compiled from publicly available information. The entire list of the 2010 HomeCare Elite agencies can be viewed by visiting the OCS HomeCare website at www.ocshomecare.com
Ocean Spray employees enjoy a laugh while Kenosha Visiting Nurse Association family nurse practitioner, Lynn Misch, prepares to check their blood pressure.
Healthy Habits develop as Ocean Spray Steps up its workplace wellness program.
The article, printed in the June 16th 2009 edition of the Kenosha News, interviews several Ocean Spray employees (including one that has lost 25 lbs) and details their effort to bring wellness to employees. In addition to bringing in a nurse for regular screenings, the plant has also made healthy substitutions in vending machines and offers up a good-for-you treat on Wellness Wednesdays. Kenosha VNA provides monthly themed material aimed at educating the staff. The month of May emphasized blood pressure, while September is all about cholesterol. Since implementing the program, there has been a steady increase in participants.
Kenosha VNA CEO, Debra Hertzberg, wins 2011
Susan B. Anthony Award
Debra Hertzberg was chosen for this annual award, sponsored by a committee of several women’s groups in Kenosha. The Susan B. Anthony committee seeks someone who is inspiring leadership through contributions and interactions with women. As one of 11 well-qualified nominees, she was honored to be this year’s recipient.
Debra has served as a business leader for Kenosha VNA for the past 36 years. Throughout this time, the employee base remained predominantly female. This, she says, prompted an adaptation to the way the association did business. “We were very conscious of giving employees time to do whatever they needed for their children. We promoted a mother-friendly work environment”. And it’s not just that. If you ask around, you’ll find that she does a lot to foster the personal success of those around her. Longtime VP of Communications, Jan Marchuk, attests to the exceptional way Debra recognizes value and potential in each individual, “Just about every staff member can tell of a time when she provided guidance, support or simply offered encouraging words.”
Susan B. Anthony is perhaps best known for her work to secure women’s’ right to vote. She also advocated for women’s education and economic independence. Along these lines, Debra’s commitment to the community and her ability to inspire leadership among women made her the best fit for the 2011 Susan B. Anthony award.
Kenosha VNA now offers the expertise of a WOCN
Board Certified Wound Care Nurse
Director of Clinical Services, Debbie Stoeber, RN, BSN, CWCN, attended the Medical College of South Carolina Wound Care Specialty Course to earn her Certified Wound Care Nurse credentials. Debbie’s specialty is pressure ulcer prevention and advanced healing techniques. She is trained to develop wound management plans, deliver wound treatment and provide supervision to maximize healing outcomes.
Click here to read more about the skilled services we offer.
“It is increasingly challenging to manage the cost/quality equation. The 2011 HomeCare Elite winners demonstrate a commitment to providing patients with the best possible care while managing their business efficiently and effectively,” said Amanda Twiss, CEO of OCS and My Innerview. “This year, we updated our methodology to reflect industry focus and, based on this rigorous analysis, we congratulate Kenosha Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. on being one of the top home care agencies in the country.”
Kenosha Visiting Nurse Association’s Chief Operating Officer, Shawn Zwirgzdas, credits the perseverance of the home care department’s leadership and team approach with the company’s ability to rank as one of the HomeCare Elite. “While contending with ever changing Medicare regulations and increasing paperwork demands, the homecare team is a tireless champion for patients and their families. Each member, from the Director of Clinical Services to the billing department, nurses, therapists, home health aides and medical social worker, works to ensure each patient receives the care and resources needed to improve their individual outcomes.” KVNA is ranked among the Top 100 of nearly 10,000 agencies for the second year in a row.
The HomeCare Elite designation continues to gain significance given the regulatory changes and challenges that agencies face. Agencies that have earned recognition among the HomeCare Elite demonstrated that they not only can adapt to an evolving marketplace but continue to excel in both clinical and financial outcomes,” said Marci Heydt, product manager for the post-acute care business group, DecisionHealth.
In November, Kenosha Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. announced that it has been named to the 2011 HomeCare Elite™, a compilation of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. Now in its sixth year, the HomeCare Elite identifies the top 25 percent of agencies and further highlights the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall. Winners are ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, process measure implementation, and financial performance.
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600 52nd Street, Suite 300
Kenosha, WI 53140
262 656 8400