Yale New Haven Health and VNA South Central Connecticut announce integration

VNA South Central Connecticut recently integrated with Yale New Haven Health System. The community-based, home-care service agency will do business as Home Care Plus – South Central Connecticut.

“Our health system’s hospitals and medical offices rely on expert home care to provide patients the extended nursing care and therapies they need in their recovery after illness or injury,” said Kathleen O’Leary, RN, YNHHS vice president, Post-Acute Care services. “Given VNA South Central’s commitment to patient-centric care, the integration strengthens our own commitment to the health of people in our communities.”

Last year, VNA South Central Connecticut made about 100,000 visits to patients’ homes and generated about $10 million in total revenue. The nonprofit home-care agency employs about 100 staff, who will become health system employees.

The integration enhances YNHHS’ ability to provide coordinated, high-quality home care services to people throughout the New Haven, Milford and Valley regions – given the combined catchment areas served by Home Care Plus and VNA South Central Connecticut.

“With overwhelming demand for emergency care and inpatient hospital services, our hospitals needed a multifaceted plan to better manage patients who can be safely and appropriately cared for at home,” O’Leary said. “Most of our patients would rather be in their homes instead of a hospital. What guides our work is doing what is right for our patients. This integration of services is a natural fit for both organizations.”

Yale New Haven Health, which includes Yale New Haven, Bridgeport, Greenwich, Lawrence + Memorial and Westerly hospitals, makes more than 25,000 referrals to home care services annually. More than half of those referrals are concentrated in the New Haven region.