VNA of Rhode Island Embraces Electronic Documentation at the Point of Care

Apr 11, 2013 3:58:49 AM

Electronic clinical documentation enables evidence-based informed care

Schaumburg, IL (April 11, 2012) - As the State's oldest visiting nurse association, VNA of Rhode Island has provided quality medical care to Rhode Islanders in need since 1900. Originally developed to help the poor with the delivery of health services the organization now aids people of all ages and incomes. Though much has changed since humanitarian Eleanor Green first had the vision now known as VNA of Rhode Island, the primary tenets of the organization remain the same: To provide care of the sick at home; foster the promotion of good health; and prevent illness in the community.

VNA-logoThe VNA of Rhode Island has been using the Cerner Home Healthcare solution as their electronic health record (EHR) for several years. Recently they completed the full roll-out of the CellTrak VisitManager™ solution directly interfaced to Cerner. Implementing the mobile technology has been incredibly rewarding for patients, staff, and the operations team. Jane Creamer Human Resources Director at VNA of Rhode Island commented, “We have been pleased with the short learning curve and quick implementation of the CellTrak application. The added feature of GPS gives us the comfort of being able to identify the employee’s whereabouts in a critical situation and makes scheduling much more efficient.”

CellTrak has created a seamless integration with Cerner enabling the VNA of Rhode Island the ability to simplify and lower mileage reimbursement, obtain better staff accountability and ensure safety of staff. Previously VNA of Rhode Island was using an IVR system and found the real value in switching to the GPS enabled solution once they could see exactly where their staff was at all times. For their mobile Healthcare staff they chose to deploy the latest Android devices delivering care via the Verizon Wireless network.

Steve Doughty, IT Manager/Security Office at VNA of Rhode Island commented, “Communication is the key in care. Having the latest technology to better communicate with staff and patients has created improved messaging across our care teams. We decided to make the move from IVR to a mobile GPS solution based on knowing where our staff is at all times. Knowing where my staff is creates better accountability and we rest assured knowing they are safe, ” Mr. Doughty added, “It was an easy technology choice to make as it is the industry leading and only GPS enabled application built specifically for homecare. The solution has also cut out self-reporting for mileage and decreased our mileage reimbursement. We have embraced this technology to better utilize our current EMR with completing the entire care plan at the point of care with an emphasis on completing a visit record with visit verification.”

Patients have choices when they need clinical services at home after a hospital stay. Not all home care agencies are alike. The care that VNA of Rhode Island provides for their patients from their experienced staff has won awards for maintaining extremely low re-hospitalization rates, achieving superior outcomes, and consistently receiving high scores in patient satisfaction. Their nurses and therapists are experts in post-acute care and chronic disease management. Because they document into an electronic medical record and use an advanced Tele-Health system and mobile application at the point of care, clinicians have access to current information about the patients and can monitor vital signs between patient visits.

Michael K. Wons, President and CEO of CellTrak Technologies added, “VNA of Rhode Island was an early adopter of technology and have proven they are a leader in the industry. They have truly embraced creating a complete visit record at the point of care via our easy to use mobile application platform” Wons added “Their complete vision for integrated care sets them apart from other providers and highlights their technology leadership.”

With CellTrak, field staff gain instant access to patient specific care plans, allowing them to document and verify electronically at the point of care. Through use of the VisitManager portal care coordinators can keep staff safe and productive by monitoring their real time activities. VisitManager streamlines care plan delivery and verification, improving an agency’s compliance at the point of care.

About Visiting Nurses Association of Rhode Island:

Recovering from and accident, surgery or illness is never easy, but VNA of Rhode Island can give you the support you need to manage and improve your condition in the comfort of your own home. Few home care agencies offer the highly skilled specialty services of the VNA, as well as the clinical basics. VNA of RI offers wound care, IV therapy, therapeutic nursing, physical therapy, personal care, cardiac nursing, speech therapy, palliative care, hospice, wound osotomy care, occupational therapy, multi-level care, daily monitoring and care management. We provide a full continuum of home and hospice care. Our bridge program from palliative to hospice is one of the few in the State. We have a proven history of quality care and routinely achieve a three-diamond rating-the highest rating available on the Rhode Island Department of Health's patient outcome report. That means fewer of our patients ever have to return to the hospital, their wounds heal within the period of care, and many other clinical outcomes are achieved under our care. We are a Medicare Certified agency, accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program and we have deemed status. For more information please visit www.vnari.org

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