From family physicians and specialists to home health and short-term care, Lancaster General is by your side with options to meet your healthcare needs. Before, during, and after hospitalization, Lancaster General can link you to professionals who can help.

 

From family physicians and specialists to home health and short-term care, Lancaster General is by your side with options to meet your healthcare needs. Before, during, and after hospitalization, Lancaster General can link you to professionals who can help.

 

While the hospital is a critical part of the healthcare team, other organizations play important roles in the continuum of care that starts before and finishes after hospitalization. For many people, the first step in care is a visit to the doctor’s office. With 16 physician practices (family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, rheumatology, endocrinology, hematology and oncology, adolescent and adult psychiatry) in 19 locations throughout the county, Lancaster General Medical Group (LGMG) doctors are often where people first turn for medical help. These doctors collaborate with physicians throughout the region to pursue the appropriate course of treatment. Sometimes treatment involves a referral to the hospital for surgery, tests or other procedures.

“There is a high level of physician-to-physician coordination involved in patient care,” Tim Zellers, Director of Care Management at Lancaster General Hospital (LGH), explains. “This type of cooperation ensures a continuity of care for patients both inside and outside the hospital.”

During a hospital stay, Tim says that nurses and physicians strive to help patients recover. Patients sometimes reach a point where they no longer need to stay in the hospital, but are not well enough to return home. Maple Farm Nursing Center in Akron (a member of Lancaster General) is one of numerous facilities to offer interim, short-term care nursing care (and long-term care). While patients can choose any facility, those who select Maple Farm have good things to say.

“Maple Farm was quite impressive,” says Michael Pricio, a former short-term resident of Maple Farm. “The employees couldn’t have done more for me. I was overjoyed with the place, and appreciated the care of one nurse in particular, Tony.” Michael went to Maple Farm after surgery at LGH. At first he had trouble walking, but thanks to his therapy and care, he felt much better by the time he went home.

“Patients often come to us after spending a few days in the hospital, including after open heart and orthopedic surgeries,” Rachel Zellers, Maple Farm Administrator, explains. “They may have lost some physical conditioning after spending time in the hospital. Our role is to get them to the point where they can return home and resume normal activities.”

Maple Farm’s staff includes physical therapists from LGH and physicians from Lancaster Geriatric Associates, a Lancaster General practice, who see patients at the facility. Short-term care residents at Maple Farm typically stay for 14-20 days. During that time they receive physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, nursing care and education, as needed. Located in a picturesque setting, Maple Farm provides social activities, social work services and the company of other residents.

 

“When they do go home, most people need some sort of support for at least a week. This is where home health organizations fill a valuable need,” Rachel says. Although men and women can select any home health provider, Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is a popular choice and is also a part of Lancaster General.

Michael was thankful VNA could help him with wound care and physical therapy. He looks forward to getting back to his old schedule and is eager to return to his job as a teacher with the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit #13 this fall.

William V. Dunstan, President, Visiting Nurse Association Community Care Services, says VNA strives to help patients return to their optimal level of health. VNA provides in-home medical care for people who are homebound, typically the very old and the very young. VNA representatives help patients in various ways. For instance, patients newly-diagnosed with diabetes may need additional guidance in understanding how to test blood sugars and administer insulin. Or, as in Michael’s case, VNA nurses assist with care concerns such as wound management.

“After leaving the hospital or a short-term care facility, it’s important that patient education continues. This ensures unnecessary readmissions and improves the quality of a patient’s recovery,” Bill explains. VNA staff are available for in-home visits seven days a week. Besides registered nurses, VNA offers a complete range of home healthcare services, including psychiatric nurses, maternal/child services, home health aides, medical social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists.

Last year, VNA introduced a new service for patients—telemedicine. Telemedicine uses telecommunication, video and computer technologies to provide two-way communication between the patient and healthcare provider.

VNA also works closely with companies including Horizon Healthcare Services and Health Care Solutions, which are both affiliated with Lancaster General. Horizon Healthcare Services provides home infusion and nutritional services and Health Care Solutions offers durable medical equipment, oxygen and respiratory therapy services.

In addition to LGMG, LGH, Maple Farm and VNA, the Lancaster General family includes many other programs and services that complement healthy living. To find out more, visit our Specialties and Departments page.