Provena Home Health News

Provena Health To Host 8th Annual Ethics Day

Provena Health — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:00:00 CST

Provena Health will host its eighth annual Ethics Day on Tuesday, March 16 at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, IL. Topics being addressed on this year’s program range from moral distress experienced by care providers to recent shifts in Catholic teaching related to medically-assisted nutrition and/or hydration.

The day brings together presenters from different healthcare backgrounds to share their expertise. Dr. Ronald Hamel, ethicist from the Catholic Health Association based in St. Louis, MO.; Presbyterian Chaplain Margaret Lindsey and Dr. John Rapp, Vice President of Mission Services from Adventist Health Midwest in Hinsdale, IL; and Dr. David McCurdy, ethicist from Advocate Health in Park Ridge, IL will share reflections on the place of spirituality in the faith-based healthcare environment.

“The purpose of Provena Health’s annual Ethics Day is to deepen the understanding of Provena’s mission, vision and values in day-to-day work, especially in the area of ethics,” shared Father William Grogan, System

Update on Relief Efforts for Haiti from Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach

Provena Health — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:00:00 CST

Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach is a Springfield, Illinois-based Catholic ministry which works with healthcare organizations to recover and responsibly redistribute medical equipment and supplies to people in need around the world. Mission Outreach has long served the people of Haiti through their humanitarian efforts. Provena Health's ministries have long supported Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach through donations of surplus medical equipment and supplies and have contributed over $500,000 worth of medical supplies and equipment since 2006.

In reponse to the relief efforts in Haiti, our ministries have supported Mission Outreach's relief efforts. Below is an update from Bruce Compton, President and CEO of Mission Outreach, on their efforts one month after the earthquake.

Dear Friends of Mission Outreach,

One month after the earthquake that devastated Haiti and drew the attention of the world, Haiti mourns its losses and pl

Provena Hospice Volunteer Training for 12 County Area

Provena Health — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:00:00 CST

Provena Hospice is recruiting compassionate and caring volunteers to provide comfort and support to terminally ill patients and their families. This may be the opportunity you are looking for to give back to your community if you are able to sit with a patient, provide caregiver respite and emotional encouragement, help in the office, work with support groups and bereaved families, and/or help with fundraising and other committees. Our volunteers go through a comprehensive 16-hour training program. After the initial time commitment for training, volunteer work with hospice can be flexible to fit within your schedule and to serve your community.

We provide service to patients and families in 12 counties. We are especially in need of volunteers in rural and outlying areas surrounding Tuscola, Mattoon, Decatur, Clinton, Le Roy, Gibson City, Paxton, and Watseka.

This Volunteer Training Program will be held at Provena Hospice, 1501 Interstate Drive, Champaign. The training program will be held over the course of six evenings.

Dates and times are

Provena Hospice announces 2010 Memory Teddy Bear Events

Provena Health — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:00:00 CST

Provena Hospice will be holding Memory Teddy Bear events this year on Saturdays, February 20, May 1, August 28 and November 6, 2010, from 9:00am-3:00pm at Provena Hospice, 1501 Interstate Drive, Champaign. Please contact Christy Daly at 217-353-3441 or christina.daly@provena.org to reserve your space. There is no charge for these events, but space is limited.

Memory Teddy Bears are made from the clothing of a loved one who has died. These bears are a keepsake of that special person and can help the bereaved in the grieving and healing process.

Our staff and volunteers at the Center for Grief, Loss, and Hope are looking forward to helping you make your own teddy bear. No sewing experience is necessary. Our volunteers will help you cut, sew, and stuff a 24-inch teddy bear for you to keep as a special reminder of your loved on

Provena Health Celebrates Annual Mission Week With "Powerful People" Theme

Provena Health — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:00 CST

Each year, the more than 10,000 employees, over 1,800 physicians and hundreds of volunteers across all Provena Health ministries join together to celebrate “Mission Week” during the week that includes December 1st, the health system’s founding anniversary day. The celebration marks a time of reflection on the organization’s Mission, Vision and Values and its identity as a Catholic health care ministry.

“At Provena Health, it takes all of our diverse gifts to fulfill the promise of our Mission, which is to build communities of healing and hope by compassionately responding to human need in the spirit of Jesus Christ,” says Tom Nehring, System Senior Vice President, Mission Services. “Our Mission has always been more than a saying we hang on the wall. It’s reflected in the loving guidance from our sponsoring religious congregations, the quality and expertise of our care givers, the tireless commitment of our support teams and the selfless service of our volunteers - all of whom we consider to be ‘powerful people’.”

Provena Health’s theme this Mi

Provena Home Care Named To HomeCare Elite For Fourth Year In A Row

Provena Health — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 CST

For the fourth consecutive year, Provena Home Care has been recognized as among the HomeCare Elite,™ a compilation of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. This annual review identifies the top 25 percent of agencies, ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, quality improvement and financial performance.

“The 2009 HomeCare Elite winners demonstrate a commitment to providing their patients with the best possible care while performing at the highest level,” said Nancy Buller, senior director of marketing communications at OCS HomeCare. “We congratulate Provena Home Care on being one of the top home care agencies in the country.”

Margaret Gleason, President and CEO of Provena Home Care, credits talented, caring and dedicated employees and a team effort toward service excellence with the company’s ability to rank as one of the HomeCare Elite. She said, “I am so proud of the staff and their accomplishments on our journey to excellence.”

“DecisionHealth would like

As seen in "Chicago Nursing Today" - Excellence in Nursing Spotlight: Andre...

Provena Health — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:00:00 CST

Andrea Guzman, RN, has been a home care nurse for eight years. In addition to her strong clinical, teaching and assessment skills, she understands cultural perspectives and accurately identifies problems.

Specifically, when patients have language barriers, communication can be challenging. Often, patients withhold important information because they do not feel confident that they will be understood. Guzman takes the initiative to link communication gaps with physicians and other team members to reach successful outcomes. With her contagious smile and empathetic nature, patients know she is on their side—her secret to powerful healing.

"Excellence in Nursing Spotlight: Andrea Guzman, RN, Provena Home Care"
Written by: Diana Mirel
Chicago Nursing Today

Provena Health Among Top 50 Systems In the Nation

Provena Health — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:00:00 CST

Study Says Systematic Approach Drives Top Clinical Quality and Efficiency

Learn more about our commitment to quality:
National Recognition for Quality Care - over 40 awards!

Quality Mission Moment (video)

Provena's Commitment to Quality (video)

enhanced ICU

Corporate Office Employee Giving Campaign Funds Community Benefit Programs

Provena Health — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:00:00 CST

Monies raised through generous contributions by Provena Health corporate office employees has been recently donated to ministries throughout the Provena Health system. The money will be specifically allocated toward innovative community benefit programs that support local needs.

In the spring of 2008, the Provena Health corporate office launched the “We Are Provena” employee giving program, a way for members of the corporate office team to directly impact the work of its local ministries. Employees were asked to contribute to a special fund, the Transforming Communities Fund, which would support the work of community benefit programs across the system.

By the close of the campaign, more than 200 employees generously gave over $30,000, far exceeding expectations, especially for the first year of a giving program. Then, each Provena ministry was encouraged to request funding for one of their community benefit programs. Each applicant program was required to meet set criteria, which included being consistent with Provena Health’s mis

Are you at risk for Sleep Apnea? Take Provena Home Care's free online quiz.

Provena Health — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:00:00 CST

One in five people in the United States suffer from sleep apnea, but 90 percent of them are undiagnosed. Untreated sleep apnea puts you at a higher risk diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and obesity. Fifty percent of Type II diabetics have sleep apnea. To find out if you may be at risk for sleep apnea and how to begin the journey towards a better night's sleep and a healthier lifestyle, take the free Berlin Sleep Apnea Quiz on the Provena Home Care web site.

Obstructive sleep apnea is defined as a partial or complete collapse of the upper airway when sleeping. Those who suffer from sleep apnea literally stop breathing

Support Our Local Hospitals - Sponsored by the Metropolitan Chicago Healthc...

Provena Health — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00:00 CST

At the heart of every community is your local hospital. Whenever you, your children or friends need treatment for an ailment, your local hospital is there for you. Hospitals care for all patients — regardless of ability to pay. Annually, area not-for-profit hospitals provide over $3 billion in charitable contributions to their communities and generate over $400 million in taxes.

Please, take a moment to support our hospitals. Visit the MCHC's web site to sign a petition to help the future of healthcare.

In 2008, the overall financial impact of Provena Health's community benefit contributions totaled more than $121 million! The figure represented a nearly $38 million increase in contributions over 2007. Read our 2008 Report to our Communities online.

Provena Health Announces System R.I.S.E. Award Winners

Provena Health — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:00:00 CST

Every day, employees and physicians across the Provena Health system are guided by their mission to build communities of healing and hope by compassionately responding to human need in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Expanding upon the faith and heritage of its founding religious congregations, Provena Health also commits itself to four values - Respect, Integrity, Stewardship and Excellence (R.I.S.E.) - which flow from its mission and identity as a Catholic healthcare ministry.

Each year, Provena Health employees have an opportunity to nominate fellow employees or physicians whom they feel best live out these values in their daily work as part of the system’s annual R.I.S.E. award competition. Four local winners were chosen at each Provena hospital ministry, as well as Provena Home Care, Provena Senior Services, Alverno Provena Hospital Laboratories and Provena Corporate Offices. From this distinguished group, the four overall system winners were selected.

Provena Home Care Gurnee Expands Service Area

Provena Health — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:00:00 CST

It is with great pleasure that Provena Home Care announces the expansion of our Gurnee service area.

Provena Home Care Gurnee now services patients in Wisconsin in the following counties: Kenosha, Racine and Walworth.

If you have any questions about Provena Home Care or the home care services we can provide to you or your loved one, please call us at 847-360-7660.

Provena Health advises steps to prevent the H1N1 (swine) flu

Provena Health — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:00:00 CST

As the cases of H1N1 flu reported in the United States continues to rise, Provena Health advises individuals to follow these steps suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in preventing the spread of H1N1 flu:

Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Practice other good health habits.

Provena Ministries in the Fox Valley Collaborate to Improve Community Healt...

Provena Health — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:00:00 CST

Thanks to a $5,500 grant from the Sisters of Mercy, West Midwest Community, the Fox Valley Provena Health Ministries including Fox Knoll, McAuley Manor, Pineview Care Center, Geneva Care Center, Mercy Medical Center, and Home Care have embarked on a journey to educate the community about the importance of eating healthy and providing healthy foods to those in need in hopes to raise awareness of obesity and its dangerous health impact. The initiative will educate and provide local food pantries and food drive organizers, as well as donors from the Provena Health ministries, on how to provide healthy food alternatives for those in need.

Provena ministries provide health care and senior living for the Kane County Area. As they discussed opportunities to work collaboratively to meet the health needs of the community, the Provena Health ministries in the Fox Valley area identified the healthy food drive initiative as a needed community benefit project.

The Sisters of Mercy grant comes from the order’s Agatha O’Brien Ministry Fund, named in honor of Sr. Agatha O’Brien (1822-1854), superior of the first

Provena Home Care Nurses at the Forefront of Complex Care

Provena Health — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:00:00 CST

PROVENA HOME CARE NURSES AT THE FOREFRONT OF COMPLEX CARE

Provena Home Care Nurses are caring for some of the most complex patients in the Chicago land area as a result of their relationship with our Provena hospitals and area University hospitals.

Patients who enter the hospital system today are often facing life-threatening illness which involves complicated surgery, requiring a high level of care at the time of discharge from the hospital.

Our nurses are providing care for a variety of patients with malignant ascites, which is an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. Malignant ascites is a common complication of advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer and multiple other cancers and disease processes causing significant patient morbidity as well as a large treatment obstacle for the physician and health care team. While multiple methods of abdominal fluid drainage have been reported, the use of the Denver Plurex Drain in the relief of malignant ascites has been reported by some physicians to have fewer adverse effects. Under sterile procedure our Nurses maintain the insertion site,

Relay For Life CPS-3 Study Event

Provena Health — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:00:00 CST

Provena Home Care Staff Participate in Historic Cancer Research Study

Do you have family or friends who would participate in research to help understand the factors that prevent cancer and save lives? Join Provena Home Care nurse, Julie Luedtke, and her team of volunteers from Provena Home Care and the Kankakee community Saturday June 13, 2009 at the Relay for Life of Kankakee County between 3Pm – 7PM at Bishop McNamera Catholic High School to enroll in the American Cancer Society’s third Cancer Prevention Study (CPS3).

THE PURPOSE OF THE CPS-3

In 2007 alone, more than 1.4 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer, and more than 559,000 people will die of the disease. To better understand ways to prevent cancer, the American Cancer Society’s Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance Research is recruiting 500,00 adults across the United States and Puerto Rico for a new research study called the Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). Enrollment will take place at select Relay for Life events and the Kankakee Relay for Life has been selected as a locat

Provena Hospice Teddy Bear Clinic a True Healing Opportunity

Provena Health — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:00:00 CST

Provena Hospice hosts a Teddy Bear Clinic, which is a healing opportunity for those family members who have lost a loved one, to bring in memorabilia, clothing and other momentos that will be turned into a Memory Bear.

We wanted to share one family members letter: I'M GLAD WE HAD A SHORT TIME TO CHAT WHEN I STOPPED BY THE OTHER AFTERNOON TO PICK UP THE PICTURES OF MY DAD. I APPRECIATED THE INVITATION TO YOUR MEETING THAT EVENING, UNFORTUNATELY I WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND. I WANTED THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR YOUR DEDICATION, KINDNESS AND FOR THE GENEROSITY OF YOUR TIME SPENT IN HELPING OTHERS FIND "HEALING" AFTER THE LOSS OF SOMEONE THEY LOVED. THE TEDDY BEAR WORKSHOP WAS SUCH A BLESSING TO ATTEND. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE A "MILITARY BEAR" IN HONOR OF MY FATHER, JEROME A. GEMBARA, WHO SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMY AIR CORP DURING WWII. FORTUNATELY, I HAD SOME OF MY FATHER'S ORIGINAL MEDALS AND FLIGHT WINGS THAT I PROUDLY PINNED ONTO DAD'S BEAR, THAT I LOVE SO MUCH, HOWEVER, I AM PRESENTING IT TO MY BROTHER, GARY, WHEN HE COMES IN TO VISIT FROM ARIZONA LATER THIS MONTH. IN THE MEANTIME I AM STILL FU

Home Health Care Filling In The Gaps - As seen in the Joliet Herald News

Provena Health — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:00:00 CST

With the cost of medical care rising along with insurance rates, many patients are discovering that their insurance-covered hospital stays are shorter than ever.

But home care services are stepping in to cover the gap. Provena Home Health, for instance, provides nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and convenience services for patients who might still need some care after they are discharged from the hospital.

Nance Budde, Provena Home Care director, said the services range as widely as the patients' needs. They spend time before each patient's release, assessing what a person might need when they get home.

"Patients are not kept in hospitals as long as they used to," Budde said. "The hospital is an acute care center, aiming to get you over the worst, but then you are sent home to recover. Patients are coming home quicker and sicker."

Some patients might not be able to go directly home after they are released from the hospital, she said. If a patient, for instance, has a hip fracture or has had a joint replacement and may not be able t

Provena Home Care blesses new location in Joliet

Provena Health — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:00:00 CST

Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain, Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet was on hand for the dedication and blessing of Provena Home Care's new Joliet location on Tuesday, November 25. The new building is located at 1060 Essington, across the street from the former location.

Left - Right:
Sue Enright, Systems Director, Operations, Provena Home Care
Marge Gleason, President/CEO Provena Home Care
Jack McGuire, State Representative
Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain, Bishop of the Diocese of Joliet
Larry Walsh, County Executive
Jan Cotter, Director, Provena Home Care Joliet
Nance Budde, Director, Provena Care @ Home, Joliet

The blessing was attended by over 200 people from Provena Home Care offices, Provena Health corporate offices, Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center as well as community members. The Joliet West High School choir provided music during the blessing.

Provena Home Care named to HomeCare Elite

Provena Health — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:00:00 CST

For the third consecutive year, Provena Home Care has been recognized as among the HomeCare Elite, a list of the most successful Medicare-certified home health care providers in the United States. This annual review identifies the top 25 percent of agencies, ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, quality improvement and financial performance. Provena Home Care's agencies in Elgin, Gurnee, Bourbonnais and Urbana received top 25 percent recognition.

The 2008 HomeCare Elite is the only performance recognition of its kind in the home health industry. The 2008 HomeCare Elite is brought to the industry by OCS, Inc., the leading provider of healthcare informatics, and DecisionHealth, publisher of home care's most respected independent newsletter Home Health Line. The entire list of the 2008 HomeCare Elite agencies can be viewed by visiting the OCS web site at www.ocsys.com/HCE. The data used for this analysis was compiled from publicly available information.

Margaret Gleason, President and CEO of Provena Home Care, credits

Provena Home Care Opens Gillman Office

Provena Health — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:00:00 CST

Provena Home Care Kankakee Ministry is proud to announce the opening of a new office, located at 720 S. Crescent, Illinois. Gilman was specifically chosen because it is located between the Champaign/Urbana ministry and the Kankakee ministry. With this new location, our staff will be able to better serve our patients who live in the community and be more efficient in the use of their time by utilizing the office for charting and storing supplies. Less time traveling between the offices allows the staff to have more time for patient care and charting.

Provena Home Care is proud of its heritage of community involvement and support, and the Gilman location is no exception! Provena Home Care has taken an active role in becoming involved in the community in a number of ways. We have been hosting free monthly blood pressure clinics at the new location; participated in a Senior Fitness Day at Gilman Nursing Center; joined the Gilman and Watseka Chambers of Commerce; sponsored beautification banners in down town Watseka; as well as being the lead vehicle in the 2008 annual Halloween Parade in Gilman! I

Provena Hospice Adds New Location

Provena Health — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:00:00 CST
Provena Hospice, with home offices in Elgin, Illinois, has added a new location at Provena Mercy Medical Center to better meet the needs of patients and families in Aurora and surrounding communities. Although Provena Hospice has served the Aurora area since 1993, it is hoped that this new location will "give us more local presence," said Brenda Clarkson, regional director. "Our family satisfaction score is 100%, but I think we will improve quality care and service excellence by being closer to our families and referral sources," stated Clarkson.
Provena Hospice provides services to patients and families including: pain and symptom management, personal care for hygiene and comfort, medications for comfort, required home medical equipment and supplies, assistance with planning and assessing community resources, counseling by chaplains and other professionals, therapies to improve quality of life, specially trained volunteers and bereavement groups and services.
Dr. Mohammed Raheem, medical director of the hospice team, works closely with local physicians to provide high quality pain and symptom management to hospic

Provena Hospice Dementia Kit

Provena Health — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:00:00 CST

An elderly woman sits in her chair not knowing who she is anymore, not remembering her life or the people in it.

She can't string along more than six words together, and staying awake is a challenge. She sometimes cries out and becomes disruptive but can't explain what's wrong.

On top of having dementia, she's legally blind.

Hospice enters the picture, which most people consider "the beginning of the end," said Brenda Clarkson, regional director of hospice and palliative care at Provena Saint Joseph Hospital.

"But hospice isn't about death and dying; it's about living with quality of life," Clarkson continued, pointing to an innovative sensory-based treatment for dementia patients.

Provena's hospice is pushing a new therapy called the Provena Dementia Activity Kit, which is putting "that spark back in their otherwise blank faces," said Heather Gates, a Provena spokeswoman.

The therapy provides sensory stimulation to help patients regain memories through smells, sounds, visual and tactile activities.

Now, this elderly woman -- legally blind and with

Provena Home Care named to 2007 HomeCare Elite

Provena Health — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:00:00 CST

March 24, 2008 - Provena Home Care today announced that it has been named to the 2007 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the most successful Medicare-certified home health care providers in the United States. This annual review identifies the top 25% of agencies, ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, quality improvement and financial performance.

The 2007 HomeCare Elite also indicates those providers who are included in the Top 100 and Top 500 of providers nationwide. The data used for this analysis was compiled from publicly available information.

"We applaud the success of all the providers named to the 2007 HomeCare Elite," said Bill Bassett, Senior Director of Market Strategy at OCS, Inc. "Being noted as one of the top performers in the nation in this very competitive environment shows that Provena Home Care is dedicated to quality and performance."

Provena Home Care's Marge Gleasen, President and CEO, credits best care practice and a dedicated, experienced staff with the company's ability to rank as one of the HomeCare Elite. She said, "This award