VNS Specialty Services

High Tech Home IV Therapy
Specially trained nurses are available from VNS to deliver high tech intravenous (I.V.) therapy and other medicines and sophisticated treatments in the home. Some of the specific treatments provided include central line maintenance, continuous and intermittent medication administration, antibiotic infusions, hydration and total parenteral nutrition.
 
Wound & Ostomy Care/Wound VAC
VNS has nurses with specialized training in wound and ostomy care, as well as access to consultants and Enterostomal Therapists. We provide care to all types of wounds including, but not limited to, pressure ulcers, wounds resulting from vascular conditions, diabetes, trauma, surgery, disease or infection, burns and ostomy care. We provide wound care in a team approach with the Nurse Case Manager providing assessment, management, treatments and monitoring of existing and potential problems. We relieve or prevent precipitating risk factors and instruct the patient and caregivers regarding the patient’s needs.

One of the most effective treatment methods we use is the Wound VAC. This leading edge device promotes wound healing through the use of continuous negative pressure and specialized wound dressings.
 
Psychiatric Nursing
This important program provides mental/emotional health services in the home to foster independence and help patients remain at home. Working under a physician’s orders, the role of the psychiatric nurse is to assess the patient’s mental status, evaluate level of functioning, coping skills, availability of support systems, treatment compliance and efficacy and to provide therapeutic intervention as needed.

Palliative Care
Our Palliative Care Program is committed to enabling persons to gain comfort and control over their lives when they are facing a life-limiting illness.  Palliative care is simply the extension of hospice principles to people who are diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, but who may still be undergoing active treatment for their disease. Our palliative care patients receive individualized pain and symptom management, while continuing their treatments. We work closely with physicians, hospitals and all other members of a patient's health care team to provide seamless, high quality palliative care. We continually assess resources and provide the appropriate referrals to enhance services, including hospice services when appropriate.

Russian-Speaking Home Care Program
Olga Shikhman, RN, MSN, Director of Clinical Services at our Norwalk branch, has been working actively to develop a special home care program for Russian speaking members of the community.

Olga, originally from the Ukraine, has provided care for many Russian-speaking patients since joining VNS. “Connecticut’s Russian population is underserved," she says. “I know firsthand from my interactions with patients how difficult language and cultural barriers can be to accessing care, and I’m looking forward to making that easier.”

If you want to know more about this program, call Olga directly at 203.838.8621 or . To make a referral of a Russian-speaking patient, call our Intake Department at 800.551.8671.
 
Nutritional Counseling
Registered dietitians can assess diet and nutritional health and can instruct patients on how to adopt new dietary recommendations.

Elder Care Planning & Coordination
VNS understands that families often need help caring for loved ones, whether they are nearby or far away. With these concerns in mind, we have created a special service that identifies opportunities to improve a loved one’s current quality of life and anticipate their future needs. Registered Nurses and Medical Social Workers will coordinate care, preventive services and other daily activities. VNS will also step in during a crisis to manage the wide variety of individuals and organizations which may be providing services to your loved one. Finally, we can coordinate health care services, recommend highly qualified professionals to assist with financial and estate planning, and help identify opportunities and sources for legal assistance. With these services, VNS is pleased to provide peace of mind to those near and far away.
 
Care for the Caregiver Services
Taking care of an ill or aging loved one can be very stressful and it’s important for the regular caregiver to take time out to care for him/herself. VNS nurses, sleep ins and aides will come to the home to provide the caregiver with respite: a few hours, days or as much time as is needed to leave the home worry-free. VNS also coordinates a number of support groups to help caregivers further in dealing with the complicated emotions and other issues associated with caring for an ill or aging loved one.