- How do I obtain the service
of the Ridgefield VNA?
- Is the agency state-licensed? Medicare-certified?
Accredited CHAP (Community Health Accreditation
Program)?
- Does the agency accept your insurance?
- Does the agency supply literature
describing its services, eligibility requirements,
fees and payment options?
- How long will you have to wait
for services after requesting a visit?
- Will the agency inform you of
your financial responsibilities, in writing, prior
to giving care?
- How does the agency select and
train its employees? Do the majority of employees
work directly for the agency? Does the agency perform
background checks?
- Do nurses or therapists evaluate
and coordinate the patient's home care needs? If
so, what does this involve? Do they consult the
patient's physician and family members?
- Does the agency include the patient
and his/her family members in developing the plan
of care? Are they involved in making care plan changes?
- How does the agency educate patients
and/or family members on the care being given?
- How does the agency supervise the
visiting staff?
- Who can the patient and his/her
family members call with questions/concerns/complaints?
How does the agency follow up and resolve these
issues?
- What procedures does the agency
have in place to handle emergencies? Are its caregivers
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
- How does the agency ensure
patient confidentiality?
Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain the
service of the Ridgefield VNA?
If you are being discharged from the hospital you
must be sure to specifically ask for the RVNA or the
discharge planner will assign a VNA to provide services.
In all other cases, just call us at 438-5555, or if
more convenient you can email us at info@ridgefieldvna.org.
You will a receive prompt and efficient response,
we are here to serve you!
Is the agency state-licensed?
Yes. The Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association has been state-licensed
since 1966.
Medicare-certified?
Yes. The Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association has been Medicare-certified
since 1966.
Accredited by CHAP (Community Health Accreditation
Program)?
Yes. The Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association has received Accreditation
with Commendation, the highest award from the Community Health Accreditation
Program for standard home health care services since 2002.
Does the agency accept your insurance?
The Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association has preferred
provider status with over 40 payers and organizations and accepts most
insurance plans. New contracts are added regularly. A sliding scale for
essential services is available to assist those patients with financial
need.
Does the agency supply literature describing its
services, eligibility requirements, fees and payment options?
Yes. The Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association provides brochures,
newsletters, fact sheets, and a website. A detailed "Patient Bill
of Rights" is provided to all clients at the beginning of their care
or for inspection at any time.
How long will you have to wait for services after
requesting a visit?
Services by the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association are usually started
within 24 hours of patient referral.
Will the agency inform you of your financial responsibilities,
in writing, prior to giving care?
Financial responsibilities are addressed with the client and their
family during the first visit made by the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association.
How does the agency select and train its employees?
The Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association requires a written
application and conducts a complete interview process including health
and background checks before hiring any employee. Professional personnel are
all registered, licensed within the state of Connecticut and average 21
years of experience in their field. Paraprofessional personnel all complete
state classes to qualify for certification and average 11 years of experience
providing home health care.
Do the majority of employees work directly for the
agency?
Yes. The majority of employees work directly for the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association and most staff members live in the community they serve.
Does the agency perform background checks?
Yes. The Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association conducts comprehensive
background checks on all potential employees.
Do nurses or therapists evaluate and coordinate
the patient's home care needs? If so, what does this involve? Do they
consult the patient's physician and family members?
Yes. Professional health care staff conduct complete patient assessments
and work together with the patient's family and physician to develop a
comprehensive health care plan for each patient. Regular multidisciplinary
team meetings are held to review and update care plans.
Does the agency include the patient and his/her
family members in developing the plan of care? Are they involved in making
care plan changes?
Yes. At the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association, clients
or family members are encouraged to be closely involved in the development
and changes needed to the client's plan of care. Their involvement can
be as much or as little as they desire.
How does the agency educate patients and/or family
members on the care being given?
The Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association professional staff communicates
directly with patients and family members on a regular basis.
How does the agency supervise the visiting staff?
Staff at the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association is supervised
through direct observation, review of patient records, and feedback from
clients and family members.
Who can the patient and his/her family members call
with questions/concerns/complaints? How does the agency follow up and
resolve these issues?
The Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association can be reached at 438-5555.
When you call, our office staff will connect you with the appropriate
individual to answer your question/concern/complaint. Each call is handled
on an individual basis and resolved as promptly as possible.
What procedures does the agency have in place to
handle emergencies? Are its caregivers available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week?
The town of Ridgefield is connected to 911 emergency systems. The Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association has a nurse available at all times and a comprehensive emergency plan.
How does the agency ensure patient confidentiality?
Through established policies and procedures which are carefully adhered
to. The Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association follows HIPAA, state and federal
home care criteria for the assurance of patient confidentiality.
