Eight Nissan Sentras have been acquired and are being used by nurses and specialists in physical, occupational and speech therapies. Three other vehicles will join the fleet later this year.
“Although Home Health has had a robust presence in this region for some time, we wanted to enable our staff to get to and from their destinations more efficiently and also remind the public that we are there for them,” said Program Director Kelli Kappus. She said that over the next year, the fleet will be expanded further to accommodate all full-time Home Health employees.
The program serves Marion, Johnson, Morgan, Shelby, eastern Hendricks and western Hancock counties. A liaison at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville works in the community coordinating referrals from sources outside the hospital.
“Our service helps the patient transition from the hospital to home,” Kappus said. “Too many patients leave the hospital and are confused about their medications or discharge instructions. Our goal is to make every patient and caregiver as independent with their care as possible.”
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, only 20 percent of St. Francis Home Health patients are hospitalized, and 16 percent seek emergent care while receiving home health. Nationally, that compares to 30 percent and 21 percent, respectively.
The St. Francis program offers nursing, aide and social work services, and physical, occupational and speech therapies. Home Health Care liaisons are based at
St. Francis Home Health Services is located at
Learn more about the program at www.stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=387.
