VNSNY Hospice Continues to Grow!

A number of patients are expected to transition to VNSNY Hospice from Compassionate Care Hospice, which is ceasing operations in its Brooklyn and Bronx offices on June 30.

VNSNY Hospice and Palliative Care continues to build on its record-breaking census numbers. Last week it was announced that patients with Compassionate Care Hospice, which is ceasing operations in its Brooklyn and Bronx offices on June 30, will have the option of transitioning from those hospice programs to VNSNY Hospice.

“Compassionate Care has a closure plan in place with the New York State Department of Health for their Brooklyn and Bronx locations,” says Rosemary Baughn, Senior Vice President, Hospice and Palliative Care. “As part of this arrangement, VNSNY is prepared to take on any patients who elect to move their care to VNSNY Hospice.”

Compassionate Care, which has offices in over 20 states, was acquired by the national home care company Amedisys earlier this year. “The fact that Amedisys chose us as an organization to partner with, during what is a very difficult process of closing a hospice location, speaks volumes about VNSNY Hospice’s reputation for outstanding patient care and operational excellence,” says Dan Savitt, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

The two offices currently care for 80 patients between them. Several of these patients have opted to shift their care to VNSNY, says Rosemary, and others are expected to follow. “We’re also reaching out to Compassionate Care employees regarding possible positions at VNSNY,” she notes. “One of their managers has already agreed to join our Bronx office in the coming weeks.”

This new arrangement is adding to the significant growth that VNSNY Hospice has been experiencing over the past year. The program reported an average monthly census of over 1,260 in March, its highest ever. “Our ability to absorb these patients and to hire staff from Compassionate Care is another example of how we’re working to strengthen and grow VNSNY’s Provider Services,” says Andria Castellanos, Executive Vice President and Chief of Provider Services. “It’s still more evidence that our three-year strategic plan is succeeding.”