Executive Report
2005 continued the trend for change, growth and and andand clarification for Visiting Nurse Home Care. We began a process of reviewing "the way we've always done things" by using the skills and talents of a variety of caregivers and administrative staff to initiate a program we called "Hiring the Best and Training for Excellence". Teams worked collaboratively to improve systems and resources and to develop new and improved procedures in three areas: screen-ing/interviewing/hiring, orientation, and staff education.
Visiting Nurse Home Care continued to grow in our outreach, fundraising and marketing efforts. We were able to use in-house talent to design and update our informational brochures and client packets. We commissioned a short DVD to showcase the important work we do to HELP people stay at home. We sponsored and took a lead role in organizing Skagit County's first "Senior Day in the Park".
We were participants in Combined Federal Campaign, Washington State Combined Fund Drive, and active partners with United Way of Whatcom County. We secured a generous grant from Boeing's Employee Community Fund to purchase a phone system for our Mount Vernon office, a cholesterol screening device, clinic room refrigerators, a laptop computer and a LCD projector. As a result of this grant, we were able to expand our wellness clinic efforts in Skagit County.
We continue to participate in community service efforts such as Long Term Care Ombudsman Advisory Council, Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Network, Elder Service Providers, and Regional Tribal Home Care Outreach. We also were active in legislative outreach in order to educate our elected officials on the issues of Medicaid eligibility criteria reduction, cuts to case management, and wage and benefit parity for home care agency workers.
Our annual flu shot clinics were once again plagued by supply shortages and delayed shipments. In typical VNPS can-do style, our clinical staff were able to "turn lemons into lemonade" by providing greatly reduced and free flu shots to the community which no doubt contributed to the public health of our region.
Visiting Nurse Home Care Jail Health Program was recognized by the National Commis-sion on Correctional Health Care as "Facility of the Year". VNPS staff, as well as corrections staff were recognized at the annual NCCHC conference in Denver for providing appropriate health care services and having positive outcomes for inmates in Whatcom County Jail.
The foundation of our work in the community continues to be our caregiving team. In the sum-mer of 2005, our Home Care Aides organized with OPEIU Local 8 and our initial contract bargaining commenced in September.
Our continuing education in-services focused on food safety, diabetes, disaster preparedness, professional ethics, boundaries, infection control, blood-borne pathogens, and body mechanics.
Every hour of service you read in this annual report represents the work of a real person - our staff caring for people in need in Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties. Because our focus is on service over profits, we devote most of our resources to caring for low-income elderly and disabled people receiving state-sponsored services. Your financial support will help Visiting Nurse Home Care bridge the gap in state reimbursement and allow us to help frail, vulnerable, elderly, or disabled loved ones stay in their own homes.
Terri Briant Booth, Executive Director
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