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

Evaluating Caregivers and Caregiver Agencies

An RVNAhealth StayWELL client enjoys a game of checkers with a caregiver outside on a patio.

Not all non-medical caregiving agencies are created equal. There is a significant difference in quality across agencies, and there are significant differences in the qualifications and expertise of individual caregivers.

At RVNAhealth StayWELL non-medical services, caregiving is provided primarily by Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Home Health Aides (HHAs).  “It is absolutely critical to us to offer the highest quality, and most consistent care to our clients,” says Melissa Woodhouse, Director of RVNAhealth StayWELL services. “By hiring trained and licensed caregivers, we know that they have education and experience behind them even before we begin our own screening and orientation processes.” 

In addition to standards of caregiver training and experience, it is also important to understand an agency’s hiring and screening processes when considering hiring a caregiver with that agency. RVNAhealth directly employs its non-medical caregivers, ensuring all are background checked, bonded, and insured.  Additionally, all caregiver work is under the supervision of an RVNAhealth licensed nurse and occupational therapist, who develop and actively manage a client’s plan of care. 

Unlike RVNAhealth, many agencies provide caregivers as independent contractors.  In independent contractor scenarios, caregiving may not be supervised, and families may also assume risk of caregiver wages, taxes, and personal injury. 

There are many decisions to make when considering having a caregiver at home. In a world with vast differences in non-medical caregiver experience levels and agency quality, seek experienced and agency-employed caregivers to ensure quality care for you or your loved ones.