Tampa General Hospital Partners With VNA to Form New Homecare Agency

TAMPA, Fla. (July 12, 2022)—To improve the quality of homecare for its patients, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is partnering with home health agency, the Visiting Nurse Association, (VNA) to form TGH Home Care powered by VNA of Florida. The new entity will provide a full range of homecare services for Tampa General patients, as well as those in the community needing homecare.

“Through TGH Home Care powered by VNA of Florida, patients will have the choice to remain with our network of care for the services they need while continuing to recover in the comfort of their home,” said Adam Smith, executive vice president and chief ambulatory officer, Tampa General. “Staying within Tampa General means our patients can make a seamless and safer transition home. They remain our patient, which means they can more easily access the combined resources of an academic medical center and an experienced homecare agency that supports improved quality, outcomes and overall patient experience. Adding a new service such as homecare will help us move forward in achieving our vision of being the safest and most innovative academic health system in America.”

Homecare is a variety of personal and skilled nursing care services provided in the home for patients recovering from an illness or injury or living with a chronic medical condition. TGH Home Care powered by VNA of Florida offers both in-home personal care and nursing services, including home health aides, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, chronic disease management, medical social services and more.

“We have been providing home health services to Floridians since 1976, with care delivered to Tampa General patients and the surrounding communities for 26 years. Our team has a deep understanding of the diverse and complex needs that patients of a Level I trauma center may have,” said Jennifer Crow, CEO, Visiting Nurse Association. “Our long-standing expertise and VNA’s mission to serve all patients with quality home health care align perfectly with Tampa General Hospital’s commitment to providing world-class care. We promise to deliver the highest level of care and we believe that our partnership will be the catalyst that creates a full circle of excellence for patients needing in-home support for their recovery.”

A patient’s return to the comfort of their home begins at the hospital, where a TGH Home Care powered by VNA of Florida nurse meets with the patient and their family to learn about their home setting and needs for care. The nurse will directly access important information to make the patient’s return home an easier process with all the services and equipment needed for recuperation.

“With electronic medical record integration, our patients will receive the benefit of continuous care coordination as they work towards regaining their independence, with caregiver and family support at home. This new TGH service also offers patients access to nurse navigators who can provide ongoing support as patients progress and return to the community,” said Elan Melamed, senior director ambulatory experience and operations. TGH Home Care powered by VNA of Florida services are available for patients in the community as well.

TGH Home Care powered by VNA of Florida will serve all patients in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee, Hardee and Highlands counties, no matter what hospital they are discharged from. Whether patients live in the Tampa Bay region, or have traveled for their care, the Visiting Nurse Association has seven locations throughout Florida which create a network for patients across the state. 

For more information, visit vnaflorida.org.