Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/614475
AFTER A SUCCESSFUL YEAR OF HELPING PATIENTS AT VALLEY WEST HOSPITAL, THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK WILL EXTEND ITS SERVICES TO BENEFIT PATIENTS AT KISHWAUKEE HOSPITAL IN SPRING 2016. Why Become a Community Health Network Partner? Whenever possible, the Community Health Network pairs patients with people they already know from organizations with which they are involved. In many cases, that means churches serve the needs of members of their congregations. Partner organizations also gain access to KishHealth System resources, including guest speakers, preventive screenings, and wellness education. Interaction with these groups helps KishHealth System identify healthcare needs within the organization to improve the health of its members and the community as a whole. OFTEN, PATIENTS WHO need to be hospitalized have nonmedical needs in or around the home. In many cases, their health or quality of life suffers because they aren't able to tend to basic activities or requirements of daily life. KishHealth System's Community Health Network (CHN) consists of local faith-based and service organizations whose members have pledged to meet these needs. "Our goal is to work with partner organizations to help keep their members from returning to the hospital and to help them become healthy again," says Heidi Carlson, CHN coordinator for Valley West Hospital. "Cooking meals, giving someone a ride to buy groceries or going to the pharmacy can help support medical treatment and improve a person's overall wellness." MAKING THE NETWORK WORK "I speak with patients within 24 hours of an admission to the hospital to assess their needs and again prior to discharge," says Bryn Martin, LCSW, social worker and discharge planner at Valley West Hospital. "We then work with the CHN coordinator to enroll patients into the partner organization so we can work with the liaison to address any non-medical needs." Thanks to participating partner organizations, services are available to patients of all ages who need assistance around the house, help running errands, walking a dog or could benefit from having someone check on them each day. People with non-medical support needs are welcome to call and ask to be connected with a partner organization that is able to help. For more information about how you or your group can become part of the Community Health Network, contact Heidi Carlson at 815.786.3782. BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES from WITHIN 3 W I N T E R 1 6