We're in the news!
This is from the West Stockbridge Local Yokel, February 2007

Our Community Health Association (CHA) has just received the highest rating possible from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). This certifies that they are giving the highest quality of care. Three years ago, when the last survey was done, they also received the highest score. CMS contracts with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to survey a variety of health care organizations, such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and home agencies. The surveys are very stringent; if there are deficiencies, the organization is surveyed more frequently and if the problems are not corrected, they can be shut down. According to Suzanne Hatch, RN, the Administrator of CHA, while there is no actual score, the highest rating is "Your survey has no deficiencies." The surveys are unannounced; this one began on January 3, 2007, and was finalized the following week. The surveyor was very impressed with the care plans prepared by the nurses, stating that the plans were very individualized and patient specific - as opposed to some other organizations that often use "cookie cutter" care plans. The surveyor also found that patient satisfaction was exceptionally high. There is more good news - Suzanne wants everyone to know that CHA is now able to accept a variety of different health insurance HMOs in addition to Medicare. The largest is Tufts, Health New England and Blue Cross/Blue Shield, but others are accepted and you should call CHA if your insurance company is not mentioned here. This change now makes CHA home health care available to people under 65 years old. Every Wednesday morning CHA is open for walk-ins. During this time a nurse is available to answer questions about medication, diet and other health care issues and to check blood pressure. And there is a new service - they can do the Protime test for people taking the drug Coumadin, a blood thinner used by people with heart and/or clotting problems. A doctor's order is required to check patients using Coumadin, but CHA can contact your doctor to set this up. Suzanne asked me to remind everyone that if you want CHA care that is critical to tell the hospital at the time of discharge that is what you want. You must specifically ask for CHA - and be very persistent. Recently three people who requested CHA were sent elsewhere for home health care. It is a difficult marketplace and this is a small agency. If they are going to continue providing high quality service locally, they need referrals. Patients or their families can call CHA prior to surgery or after hospital admission to arrange for health care - you do not have to wait until you are discharged from the hospital to make these arrangements. Our community is very fortunate to have such an outstanding organization available to help us recover from injury, surgery and illness. Please use our local provider whenever possible so that this service remains local. The staff can be reached 7 days a week at 413-698-3303 or toll free at 866-698-3303. -Vicki Grayson, West Stockbridge Local Yokel, February 2007

We're in the news!
This is from the Berkshire Eagle, Friday, November 26, 2004 edition.

Still making house calls Health aides get kudos for visits By Carrie Saldo Berkshire Eagle Staff WEST STOCKBRIDGE -- Home health care patient Betty Beauchaine and her husband Clayton celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Great Barrington Rehabilitation Center while Betty was recovering from heart surgery. But, she said, thanks to the Community Health Association, she and Clayton were able to celebrate Thanksgiving in their own home. With Betty still recovering from surgery and Clayton not being much of a chef, at his own admission, the couple's six children were in charge of their Thanksgiving feast. Home health nurse Jodi Scott-Smith, R.N., checked Beauchaine's blood pressure, temperature and weight, and assessed her overall health Wednesday while the patient received a visitor. State Rep. William ''Smitty'' Pignatelli dropped by Betty's home with a freshly baked pumpkin pie. Pignatelli and Beauchaine chatted about a variety of topics, including her health, for about 45 minutes. Pignatelli said he is very supportive of home health care and believes there will be stronger support for this type of care within the Legislature because it is less expensive than hospital or nursing home care. ''I think if they can lead a healthy, productive life at home [home health care] is healthy for everyone,'' Pignatelli said. In between her assessment by Scott-Smith, Beauchaine thanked Pignatelli for the pie and then asked whether he baked it. ''I'd be lying if I said I did,'' he said. Beauchaine, who had heart surgery two months ago, said she feels much better recovering in her own home. Since the surgery, she has used a walker to get to and fro when her husband is at work or out running errands. But Beauchaine said she intends to keep getting stronger and to walk without it once again. ''I was ready to come home two or three weeks before I got here,'' she said. ''And I am getting stronger every day; I can feel it.'' Betty has been a member of the program about two weeks. She receives in-home physical therapy in addition to her weekly, and sometimes twice weekly, visits from Scott-Smith. Scott-Smith said certain patients, such as Beauchaine, recover much faster when at home. ''We are looking for anything to enhance the quality of our patients' lives,'' said Scott-Smith. Suzanne Hatch, Community Health Association administrator, commended Scott-Smith and the other home health care nurses for all of their hard work. November is National Home Care Month. ''This is fabulous,'' said Beauchaine of the program. ''I have an extra lot to be thankful for.'' Since Betty took ill, Clayton has assumed many of his wife's chores but he said he doesn't mind. ''I am glad she is home,'' he said. ''And by spring she ought to be just right.'' The Community Health Association serves about 100 patients. For a patient to receive home health care, his or her doctor, a hospital or rehabilitation center discharge planner, or the patient or family members can contact the association. The association assesses each case to determine whether the patient is eligible for home health services and what care is needed. According to Home Health online, 7.5 million people receive health care in their homes from 1 million caregivers daily. The Community Health Association has registered nurses, physical, occupational and speech therapists, medical social workers, registered dietitians and certified home health aides on its staff. The association began serving West Stockbridge and Richmond in 1928. Last year it extended its services to Alford, Great Barrington, Lenox and Stockbridge. The association is certified by Medicare and Medicaid to provide home health care services to beneficiaries of those insurances. The association is also a member of the Visiting Nurse Associations of America. On the Web at www.cha-vna.org . Telephone (413) 698-3303. Carrie Saldo can be reached at csaldo@berkshireeagle.com or at (413) 528-3660.