iowa charter agencies
Iowa Veterans HomeCommandant: Daniel R. Steen Website: http://www.state.ia.us/iavetshome/
The Charter Agency program has encouraged Iowa Veterans Home staff to look at new ways to address problems and propose solutions.
In partnership with the Department of Natural Resources, the agency employed the Kaizen improvement process to improve the administration of medications on nursing care units. After the project, the lag time between order writing and delivery was reduced by 50 percent. Also, the time spent each shift to set up the med carts was reduced through reorganized workspace.
Progress
New ProgramsThe IVH developed a new employee recognition program designed by the Employee Recognition Process Action Team. Charter Agency directors are not restricted by current state guidelines regarding employee recognition. The director is able to recognize and reward individuals and teams for their significant contributions toward the achievement of goals and projects.
For more information:Irina Bassis 641-753-4397 |
The
IVH used grant funds to assist current resident treatment workers to
advance their education in a one-year Licensed Practical Nurse
program. This opportunity addresses the current shortage of
qualified nursing personnel by “growing” IVH own staff. The LPN
education program allows qualified employees to pursue academic
improvement through a combination of funding and work schedule
modifications, both designed to make employees successful. Those
employees seeking to advance their careers find the program
especially rewarding.
The
increase in the number of individuals coming to the IVH with health
problems related to obesity led to a new partnership with other
state agencies. IVH is collaborating with the Department of
Public Health on wellness grants to address obesity in the state.
The intent is to include wellness initiatives programming for IVH
residents and staff. Two IVH staff members are serving on the state
task-force for wellness. 
A
Charter Agency grant enabled the IVH to develop a quality of life
survey. The survey measures resident satisfaction with their quality
of life and those quality of life aspects in the control of the
agency. The staff use the survey instrument to improve resident
life, which will be shared with other long-term care facilities
throughout the state as well as veterans homes across the country.
The sharing will be done via the facility Web site linked to the
survey. This survey, the first-year results and the proposal
to share with other Iowa nursing homes were presented to the Iowa
Foundation of Medical Care Quality Forum in May 2005.