According to a July 5 press release, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) announced a new partnership with Stuart, Fla.-headquartered Visiting Nurse Association of Florida (VNA), a home health agency. The two organizations will form TGH Home Care powered by VNA of Florida and aims to provide home care services for Tampa General patients and others in the community.
The release states that “Home care is a variety of personal and skilled nursing care services provided in the home for patients recovering from an illness or injury or living with a chronic medical condition. TGH Home Care powered by VNA of Florida offers both in-home personal care and nursing services, including home health aides, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, chronic disease management, medical social services and more.”
Further, “A patient's return to the comfort of their home begins at the hospital, where a TGH Home Care powered by VNA of Florida nurse meets with the patient and their family to learn about their home setting and needs for care. The nurse will directly access important information to make the patient's return home an easier process with all the services and equipment needed for recuperation.”
TGH Home Care powered by VNA of Florida will serve patients in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee, Hardee, and Highlands counties—regardless of what hospital they are discharged from. Additionally, if patients travel for their care, the VNA has seven locations throughout the state of Florida.
Adam Smith, executive vice president and chief ambulatory officer, Tampa General was quoted in the release saying that "Through TGH Home Care powered by VNA of Florida, patients will have the choice to remain with our network of care for the services they need while continuing to recover in the comfort of their home. Staying within Tampa General means our patients can make a seamless and safer transition home. They remain our patient, which means they can more easily access the combined resources of an academic medical center and an experienced home care agency, that supports improved quality, outcomes, and overall patient experience. Adding a new service such as home care will help us move forward in achieving our vision of being the safest and most innovative academic health system in America."
