Call for iPads and iPhones

RVNAhealth is seeking iPad and iPhone donations to support our Telehealth services, which enable our clinicians to conduct patient visits virtually using FaceTime. This service is especially valuable during this time.

If you have an iPad or iPhone in good working condition that you would like to donate to RVNAhealth, we ask that it be factory-reset with the Apple ID removed. If you have the accompanying charger that would be wonderful as well!

Before stopping by, please contact nrowe@rvnahealth.org with questions and to let us know you’re on your way. All donations may be left in a bin clearly marked ‘iPad / iPhone Donations’ just inside the RVNAhealth front door entrance at 27 Governor Street. Hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm. Thank you very much.

RVNAhealth Introduces… The Model Workstation

A woman working from home, on her couch, with a laptop on her lap and toys scattered at her feet and on the couch.

Ok, so maybe your work-at-home situation isn’t quite this bad. But chances are, your setup and habits could probably use a pinch or two of ergonomic guidance.

With recent measures requiring all non-essential employees to work remotely, you may find yourself without the benefit of an ergonomically-correct workspace. You can see what it’s supposed to look like here.

If you’ve ever found yourself hunched over the kitchen counter or in some other compromising situation, take some time to adjust your set-up, even just a bit. You’ll be glad you did.

What does a model work-from home employee and his or her loyal steed (workstation) look like? Try this:

Head: Directly over shoulders, without straining forward or backward, about arm’s length from the screen.
Neck: Elongated and relaxed.
Shoulders: Kept down, with the chest open and wide.
Back: Upright or inclined slightly forward from the hips. Maintain the slight natural curve of the lower back.
Elbows: Relaxed, at about a right angle.
Wrists: Relaxed and in a neutral position, without flexing up or down.
Knees: Relaxed and in a neutral position, without flexing up or down.
Screen: At eye level or slightly lower.
Keyboard: Best when kept flat for proper wrist positioning and at or below elbow level.
Fingers: Gently curved.
Chair: Sloped slightly forward to facilitate proper knee position.
Feet: Firmly planted on the floor. Shorter people may need a footrest.

More Workstation Tips from RVNAhealth

If you’re like most of us, your workstation — and posture — may need some tweaking. Here are some more tips from the RVNAhealth Occupational Therapy team to help you create a comfortable, pain-free workspace and pave the way for improved productivity and performance.

Light: Be sure to have ample lighting in your workspace. This will reduce the tendency to lean forward, which can cause neck and back discomfort, and squint, which causes eye fatigue.

Height: Place your computer screen at eye level or slightly below to avoid awkward posture which is not good for your neck and back.

Accessories: Consider the following workspace items to decrease pain and discomfort:

  • Computer Monitor Lift {this can be a dictionary or large book, in a pinch}
  • Mouse pad with wrist rest
  • High-backed chair for full support

Movement: Get up to stretch every 30-60 minutes to help relieve muscle fatigue and re-set your body and posture.

Reminders: Post this flyer at your workstation as a reminder of the optimal set-up. Just a glance will do the trick.
















Babysitting Help for RVNAhealth Staff

To help our essential staff provide care for our patients during this time, RVNAhealth is offering daily babysitting services to team members through Selina Rodriguez, daughter of Community Health Nurse Manager, April Rodriguez, RN.

Selina, who typically works at the Westport Weston Family YMCA, is keeping the young ones busy with reading, homework, arts and crafts, games, and a daily field trip to the vending machine.  Like all others entering the RVNAhealth building, the children receive temperature checks upon arrival and practice proper social distancing etiquette. 

And, among other talents, the little ones have a knack for seeing the bright side … (see artwork above).

Flu and Pneumonia Immunizations

A middle aged man wearing a peach-colored shirt gets his flu shot from a blonde nurse wearing a white jacket
If you have not already received your flu vaccine this year, or are due for a pneumonia vaccine, the CDC is currently recommending that you do so now (despite the fact that Spring has just begun). Continue reading

RVNAhealth: Call for Personal Protective Equipment

As you may know, there is presently a nationwide shortage of PPE, Personal Protective Equipment.  PPE is used by healthcare workers to prevent the transmission of infections and viruses.  While the administration is addressing this at a national level,  RVNAhealth is also seeking local help. While the numbers are uncertain, in the weeks and months ahead, our home health and in-home hospice services are anticipating the treatment and care of many COVID-19 patients, and we want to be prepared.

We are asking all friends, community members, other healthcare providers, contractors to work together and share equipment with RVNAhealth  so we can continue to care for and serve all the requests and referrals we receive.  We are in need of N95 masks, surgical masks, gowns, shoe covers, gloves. We have received donations already and are exceedingly grateful to our friends for their spirit of support – both today and in the weeks moving forward.  If you have any equipment or ideas, please contact RVNAhealth at 203-438-5555 or contact Community Health Nurse Manager, April Rodriguez, RN.

RVNAhealth 2020 Spelling Bee Postponed

The 9th annual RVNAhealth Spelling Bee is being postponed until Monday, June 1, 2020 at 7:00pm at the Ridgefield Playhouse.  It was originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 18.  

As a healthcare organization, RVNAhealth must operate with caution and care. Given the progress of Coronavirus, RVNAhealth is not comfortable encouraging contestants, judges, families, friends and supporters to fill the Playhouse on their behalf next week. Says Theresa Santoro, MSN, RN, CHCA, RVNAhealth President & CEO, “The Spelling Bee is a fabulous event — made more so by generous community spirit and support.  We are optimistic that the 2 1/2-month postponement will bring us to a healthier date and allow us all to enjoy it with our usual enthusiasm and energy.” 

Many thanks to the RVNAhealth Class of 2020 Spelling Bee contestants*, moderator and judges for their flexibility with the date change.  Stay tuned for more details as the event approaches.

Please note: Spelling Bee tickets already purchased will be honored on June 1st.  Please write to RVNAhealth with any questions or concerns. 

The RVNAhealth Spelling Bee Class of 2020 participants include:

Moderator: Daniela Sikora, Ridgefield Chorale
Judges:  Basil Kolani, Ridgefield Academy, 2019 Spelling Bee Champion; Geoffrey Morris, TownVibe/Ridgefield Magazine, 2012 Spelling Bee Champion; Theresa Santoro, RVNAhealth
Spellers:

  • Ryan Arconti, Fairfield County Bank
  • Annie Cozens, Ridgefield High School and Boys & Girls Club of Ridgefield
  • Lieutenant Brian Durling, Ridgefield Police Department
  • Edton Ganal, MD, OrthoConnecticut 
  • Pete Goldstein, Adam Broderick Salon & Spa
  • Liz Hartery, Chipman Mazzucco Emerson LLC
  • Kyle Martinez, Ancona’s Wines & Liquors*
  • Michael McNamara, Ridgefield High School Music Department
  • Cindy Merritt, RVNAhealth
  • Chris Perry, Ridgefield Guild of Artists*
  • Naomi Collinge-Riek, Fit Club
  • Sarah Zitnay, Nod Hill Brewery

*Sadly, two of our 2020 Spellers are not currently available to compete on June 1st. Both have earned berths to the 2021 competition and are always welcome on the RVNAhealth Spelling Bee stage.

It’s Quality Business as Usual at RVNAhealth

An elderly man and RVNAhealth home health aide playing checkers on a patio outside.

RVNAhealth is pleased to announce that the Department of Public Health of the State of Connecticut has renewed RVNAhealth’s Home Health Care License for the period from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2023,  the maximum period for a license renewal. The renewal was awarded to RVNAhealth following a site visit and audit which began on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.  

As with all Department of Public Health re-licensure activities, the visit was unannounced and included extensive reviews and audits of clinical files as well as visits to both patient residences and facilities over the course of several weeks. The Home Health Care License applies to the following RVNAhealth services: Skilled Nursing; Rehabilitation including Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies; CNAs; Medical Social Work, and Hospice Care.  The license is in effect through March 2023, while RVNAhealth remains in good standing and adheres to all applicable Connecticut State rules and regulations.  

“While we are always confident regarding the delivery of our services and our adherence to State regulations,” says Theresa Santoro, RVNAhealth President and CEO, “we appreciate the DPH’s recognition and certainty with this renewal. We have never had a DPH visit over the end-of-year holidays before, and we also applaud our team who went the extra mile during this time to provide data and materials to our State representatives.  This is an excellent start to the new decade.”

Local Rotarians Treat RVNAhealth to an Upgrade

Pictured here are several area Rotarians with members of the RVNAhealth leadership team and the newly purchased laptops
RVNAhealth staff and Rotary Club members gathered in appreciation of a grant recently received by RVNAhealth, made collectively by the Ridgefield, Stamford and Danbury Rotary Clubs, and matched by Rotary District 7980. Funds allowed RVNAhealth to replace outdated computers with new laptops for better efficiency, portability, security, and improved access to the agency’s electronic medical record. Continue reading