Home Health & Hospice Care Employee/Volunteer Newsletter May - June 2015

Happy Birthday To You!

ONLY THE BEST Hired Since January/February Please Join Us in Welcoming:

3/2/2015 Laura Borden RN/Hospice/AIM3/2/2015 Linda Reardon LNA-Private Duty 3/23/2015 Ruth Ellen Whitney Director of Finance 3/24/2015 Donald Butler Housekeeper-CHH4/6/2015 Trina Crosman RN4/13/2015 Sourya Mahapatra MD4/13/2015 Judith Murphy LNA-CHH4/20/2015 Jill Sawyer OT4/20/2015 Kimberly Groele LNA-Private Duty

Home Health & Hospice Care www.hhhc.org

ANNIVERSARIES

1 YearBarbara CarlsonSara GauthierNancy MilesMarie BeliveauKris RenchJulie Morrison

2 YearsJay Fort Cynthia SiroisKimberley Leets

3 YearsAddy PerezSue Nickerson

4 YearsRick DesmaraisBetty IncoKim Burns

5 YearsPosie L’ItalienJudy Astolfi

7 YearsCelia SpiroJoan Blood

8 YearsSue Carty

9 YearsLeslie DenoncourtGladys Kimaru

10 YearsKaren Killeen

11 YearsJudy RemillardEmily Sindoni

May Birthdays04...........Christina Lopez04...........Diane Ellis 04...........Judith Remillard07...........Donna Kuhns07...........Nancy Rogers08...........Maria Terrio 08...........Krista Lidman10...........Lisa Howard11...........Karen Bruaw11...........Andrea Donovan11...........April Leighton12...........Mary Danner13...........Mary H. Castine13...........Kellyn Freed14...........Caroline Cabrera16...........Cynthia Foisy16...........Sean Garrity16...........Lynne Howes17...........Tina Andrade17...........Patrice Kenny17...........Julie Morrison19...........Nancy Johnson22...........Shauna Lafond23...........Sharon Connelly24...........Nancy Loschiavo24...........Paul Quinney30...........Richard E. Desmarais

30...........Susan Nickerson30...........Stacie Sanborn31...........Emily Sindoni

June Birthdays01............Laurie Boudreau02............Elaine Claire Bienvenue04............Madeleine Wisausky04............Alyshia Edson06............Claudia Bourque07............Ann-Marie Blades07............Tanya Prather08............Pauline Lima09............Denise Rivard09............Michelle Lane11............Candace Digloria13............Mary McInnes16............Nancy Robinson16............Karen Manning18............Monique Lippert20............Heather Ogbunamiri20............Elizabeth Branen21............Jennifer J. Field22............Megan E. Dimambro25............Maureen Gibson28............Diane Donaher29............Brenda RuggSuzanne Johnson (Home care RN) received her BSN from Western

Governors University on April 24, 2015. Congrats Suzanne!

KUDOS

12 YearsTracey McDonald

13 YearsTanya Prather

15 YearsKen Wilde

19 YearsNancy Torpey

May is Better Speech and Hearing MonthAccording to a study by the CDC, approximately 40 million Americans have communication disorders costing the U.S. an estimated $154 billion to $186 billion annually. Did you know...

SPEECH & HEARING•Approximately 7.5 million people in the U.S. have trouble using their voices•By the first grade, roughly 5% of children have noticeable speech disorders•31.5 million Americans have hearing loss•1 in 5 Americans have hearing loss in at least one ear•Roughly 26 million Americans ages 20-69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises

Get help today, for a better tomorrow. To learn more about Better Speech and Hearing month, visit www.asha.org

ST. JOSEPH’S HOME CARE SERVICE UPDATE

As of May 1st, St. Joseph’s Home Care stopped accepting new patients on their service. As of May 8th we will have successfully transitioned 7 of their longer term home care patients into our care. It is anticipated that by the time St. Joseph’s Home Care closes on June 30th most of their short term patients will no longer be on service. We have begun accepting St. Joseph’s new home care referrals as of May 1st and in the first week have admitted 6 St. Joseph’s patients. We estimate that by the end of June the impact of the St. Joseph’s transition will result in an additional 75 patients on case loads each day in our Home Care Service.

We have interviewed and hired the following St. Joseph’s staff and their scheduled hire and orientation dates are as follows:

05/11 Nurse Liaison 05/15 PT 05/18 OT 05/18 Nurse 05/18 MSW 05/26 Quality Nurse Specialist 06/22 Nurse 6/22 Clinical Specialist 06/22 PTA 06/26 PT

Many others will be coming on board but we are still awaiting release dates from St. Joseph’s Home Care. Please join me in welcoming these new staff to our team and also please assist them as they adjust to our policies, routines and agency culture. Although this service transition is very positive for the future of our agency I am very appreciative of the extra efforts required to meet changing patient case loads, while at the same time orienting additional staff. I will continue to provide updates on our progress over the coming months. In the meantime please do not hesitate to ask me any questions you may have. Thank you all for your hard work and focus on our patients.

Sincerely,John Getts President and CEO

Safety & WellnessCorner

Tick Disease Prevention Plan In 2014, there were an estimated 1,415 cases of Lyme disease in NH. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were over 36,000 cases in the U.S. in 2013 and NH had the second highest incidence rate of Lyme disease in the country. Dr. Benjamin Chan, State Epidemiologist, stated, “Blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. These ticks even cause other infections besides Lyme disease. This new plan (provided by the NH Department of Health & Human Services and the Division of Public Health Services) highlights the many ways that we can prevent tick bites.”

Symptoms of Lyme disease in the early stages can include fever, headache, fatigue, and most often a red skin rash that is round and may look like a bull’s-eye. Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics, but if left untreated can lead to complications of meningitis, pain and swelling in large joints, and heart complications. Visit www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html for more information on Lyme Disease and safety tips today.

Safety For Traveling CliniciansWarm weather can bring a breath of fresh air. But as a field clinician, your safety in the field is even more critical this time of year. Here are some safety tips for traveling clinicians:

• If you carry bags, keep your car keys and mobile phone on you • Survey the premises for exits and ways out in an emergency• If the person you are visiting locks the front door ask them to please leave the key in the lock or unlocked• If there are dogs or other pets which concern you, ask that they be put away in a locked kennel or room• Lock your car doors as soon as you get in (to prevent car jacking)• Do not park in the driveway, but if you need to, think about reverse parking in, so you can simply drive out• In a cul de sac, park in the direction of the cul de sac exit• Approach your car with keys in hand and check the car interior • Hide your purse/packages/valuables so they are not open to view• Park in well lit areas and avoid parking in isolated areas

For other safety tips please http://meettheneed.org/safetytips.php.

Vital Signs design by Morgan Pare

Home Health & Hospice Care www.hhhc.org

Telehealth Coordinator - We are looking for a full time 40 hrs. per week Telehealth Coordinator! Telehealth Coordinator will effectively manage telehealth units and appropriate usage of equipment to our patients in their homes. Telehealth Coordinator must be an expert on the equipment features and capabilities and must identify appropriate patients using the established criteria including review of all advanced illness management admissions. Telehealth Coordinator must train staff in telehealth equipment and installation protocols. Reviews telehealth data daily, identifies medical concerns using PCP parameters, implements appropriate interventions with the primary clinician. Ideal candidates will have BSN and experience with cardiac/respiratory diagnosis. Good communications, strong clinical skills to work with patients and staff to keep patients out of the hospital. Requires NH licensure and CPR certification.

Transitional Care Nurse - (part-time, Thurs., Friday, Saturday 8 hour days) Generous Weekend Compensation per hour! New positions for Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses to join our Business Development Team and become an integral part of the agency’s growth. Transitional Care Nurse (TCN) evaluates and coordinates referrals to hospice and homecare from hospitals and nursing homes. Determines skill for services inclusive of nursing, therapy and medical social work. Meets with patient & family to discuss medical condition, home or other environment, plan of care. This role utilizes strong clinical skills, critical thinking and works as part of a team. Effective communication with referral sources, patients, families and teammates essential. If you enjoy a fast paced, challenging position and are able to work weekends, this is the job for you! Candidate must have RN or LPN licensure in NH with home care and hospice experience preferred. Two years of community / public health nursing required. Applicants with strong computer skills a plus!

RN/Case Manager - (Four openings) RN’s are needed for the greater Nashua, Manchester and Salem communities. All positions are full time 37.5 hrs./wk. M-F & occasional weekends. BSN is highly preferred for these positions.

Coder (Full-time) - The coder will sequence the diagnosis and procedure codes to accurately maximize reimbursement while adhering to compliance to government guidelines including Medicare regulations. The coder classifies using ICD-9 CM and CPT manuals and will transition to the ICD-10. The coder will be required to enter data accurately and timely and keep current with coding requirements. An associate’s degree is preferred and the coder must have at least 2 years of ICD -9 coding experience. Coding certification

Please see HR for employee referrals bonus details!

RECRUITMENT

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PREPARING YOUR PETS FOR EMERGENCIES

Like other millions of animal owners, your pet is a member of your family. The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency largely depends on emergency planning done today. Here are three steps to help you and your pet plan for safety:

1. Prepare: Consider two kits. In one, put everything you and your pet will use to stay where you are. The second kit should be lightweight and smaller, but something you can travel with. You should pack the following in both kits:Food. At least three days of food in airtight and waterproof containers.Water. Again, three days worth of water for your pets and for your family.Medicines and Medical Records. Keep an extra supply of medicines you and/or your pets regularly take and store in waterproof containers.First Aid Kit. Cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape, scissors, antibiotic ointment and fleas and tick prevention to name a few items. Collar ID Tags and Leash. Talk with your vet about microchipping. Crate or Carrier. In case of evacuation have a way to transport your pets. Sanitation. Pet litter or other sanitation needs you and your pet may need.

2. Plan: You should be prepared to stay put or get away. Have a plan set in place for either option. Use common sense and the information being provided here. Watch the news or listen to the radio for further instruction from your local authorities. Here are two things to remember when planning:Create a plan to get away. Plan how you will assemble your pets and where you will go. Secure appropriate lodging in advance depending on the number and type of animals you have. Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.

3. Stay Informed: Even with preparing kits and having a set plan, it is important to stay informed about what might happen and know what types of emergencies will affect your region.

For more information visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY.