A VISIT FROM A VISITING NURSE DOESN’T ALWAYS
 MEAN A KNOCK AT THE DOOR…
Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills Again on Cutting Edge
of Home Healthcare Technology

BERNARDSVILLE, NJ – The Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills recently announced the expansion of their Telehealth Program, which allows frail, older adults to manage their illness from the convenience of their homes with the assistance of a specially trained VNA nurse. The VNA acquired 25 new ViTelCareTurtle 400 Units to augment the 25 video units it already has in place. The addition of these innovative, non-video units enables the Telehealth nurses to expand monitoring capacity and be even more proactive in improving the health outcomes of their patients.

The ViTelCare Turtle 400, is a compact, light-weight, portable unit, which allows the patient to obtain a variety of vital sign measurements such as blood pressure, pulse, blood sugar, blood oxygen and body weight; answer specific health status questions; and review educational information. The patient then securely transmits all vital information to the VNA nurse who can then monitor the patient more efficiently.

“The Turtle units will allow our nurses to serve more people with chronic diseases and monitor their conditions more frequently,” explained Nursing Supervisor Susan McManus. “While this technology affords patients an important measure of independence in monitoring their own health, it also gives them the security of knowing that our nurses are checking on them every day.”

When the VNA of Somerset Hills pioneered its Telehealth program in 2000, only one other program like it existed in the state of New Jersey. In analyzing the results of the program since its inception, the VNA has proven that hospital readmission rates for patients who receive Telehealth support were significantly reduced when compared to readmission rates for patients receiving only routine home care.

“Acquisition of the Turtle units again puts the VNA at the forefront of New Jersey’s home care agencies by providing our patients with cutting edge technologies that enhance the quality and level of their care,” stated Evelyn K. Savage, chief executive officer, VNA. “Our goal is to grow the Telehealth program by making the best use of our human and technological resources, and the Turtle units are an important stepping stone along the path towards that goal.”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The mission of the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills and its subsidiaries is to provide individuals and families with comprehensive, high quality, cost-effective home and community health care services, regardless of ability to pay, using partnerships where appropriate. It is a charitable, tax-exempt home health agency and hospice certified by Medicare, accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), and licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. 

The Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills celebrated 100 years of service in 2004 and began the Centennial Campaign to raise the $8.85 million to construct new headquarters in Basking Ridge.  Construction of the new building is underway at 200 Mt. Airy Road. The architect for the project is The Kimmerle Group of Morristown. For more information on the Centennial Campaign, contact (908) 766-0180 ext. 140.

PRESS CONTACT: Marie Sperber (908) 766-0180 X 150

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