Gifts provide the vital support Valley Presbyterian Hospital needs to
continue to provide comprehensive health care, social services and advocacy
for the San Fernando Valley's low-income and underserved families.
By contributing funds, you can accomplish your charitable goals and support
our commitment to the important work ahead. The following are a few of
the programs, which need your support:
Palliative Care Program
A single physician currently conducts all palliative care activities at
the hospital, providing referrals for end-of-life care. While about 20
cases can be handled a day, that number is only a fraction of those in
need. The implementation of a hospital-wide palliative care program presents
an opportunity to greatly increase that number so we can alleviate the
physical, psychological, and spiritual suffering of patients with life-threatening
illness, and their families. To provide compassionate, high-quality palliative
care services, we request financial support to develop and implement a
hospital-based palliative care program. An Advanced Care Nurse Practitioner,
with the support of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Chaplain,
will lead the program.
Virtual Patient Observation Technology
Valley Presbyterian Hospital currently relies on a Safety Companion Sitter
to provide bedside, one-on-one supervision of patients who suffer from
mental or behavioral health issues. While this observation mitigates safety
risks to the patient and others, it strains skilled nursing staff, potentially
removing them from units where they are needed or doubling work schedules.
Virtual patient observation technology will allow a single nurse to monitor
up to 20 patients simultaneously from a central location using a portable
digital monitoring device. The addition of this technology will ensure
each patient is safe and cared for, while meeting compliance expectations
and maximizing staff resources.
Child Life Specialist Program
A Child Life Specialist works in Valley Presbyterian Hospital's pediatric
unit, pediatric intensive care unit, Emergency Department, and other areas
to help reduce the stress and anxiety our young patients experience during
hospitalization and traumatic medical procedures. With only one full-time
Child Life Specialist to service 20-30 children each day, she often works
ten or more hours to provide consultations. When she is absent, no other
staff member can fulfill her duties. Through our program, a second certified
professional Child Life Specialist would be hired so all pediatric patients
and their families can receive this critical service.
Diabetes In-Patient Education and Treatment Program
Approximately 30% of the patients discharged from Valley Presbyterian Hospital
have a diagnosis of diabetes. Many of these patients are economically
disadvantaged, suffer from multiple co-morbidities, and are heavily reliant
on public health insurance programs to pay for their medical care. Valley
Presbyterian Hospital has a full-time Diabetes Patient Navigator who offers
diabetes care management free of charge for patients admitted to the hospital.
The DPN teaches diabetes self-management to inpatients and ensures continuity
of care. The aim of the program is to promote the shortest and safest
hospital stay; provide an effective transition out of the hospital that
prevents complications and readmissions, and to promote health and wellness
hospital-wide. We seek support from the philanthropic community for continuation
funding of this program.
Community and Health Professions Education Programs
Valley Presbyterian Hospital's Community Education programs offer free
classes to promote and maintain health, learning, and social development.
An essential aspect of our overall mission is to improve individual health
by providing wellness education, injury and disease prevention, and other
resources. Each year, we identify and develop programs that respond to
the 10 most immediate health needs of the underserved population throughout
our community, often partnering with other area organizations. In addition,
we provide educational programs for physicians, nurses, nursing students,
and other health professionals to help ensure they have access to up-to-date
training and technology.
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Skills Training for Senior Care Providers: A number of adults over the age of 60 are admitted to the hospital from
senior care facilities with preventable hospital-acquired conditions.
Inpatients with HACs are a growing national concern due to patient morbidity
and mortality, treatment costs, and reimbursement issues. Our goal is
to develop and implement a training program to educate Valley Presbyterian
Hospital nurses and medical staff at senior care facilities about preventing
HACs. We anticipate that a minimum of 500 health physicians, nurses and
other health providers will be trained on how to prevent HACs in senior
care facilities. Senior care includes hospice, skilled nursing, assisted
living, and home health facilities.
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Nursing Skills Simulation Laboratory (Sim Lab): The Sim Lab is where nursing students and members of our health care
team master their skills on high fidelity mannequins that are designed
to simulate realistic patient situations and responses with limitless
medical scenarios. The mannequins used in the Sim Lab are outdated and
in constant need of repairs. To provide advanced, high-quality simulation-based
training for healthcare professionals, we request financial support to
purchase and install state-of-the-art human patient simulators in the Sim Lab.
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Maternal Child Health Education: A significant number of women in the San Fernando Valley do not receive
prenatal care prior to having their babies. Valley Presbyterian Hospital
is one of the only hospitals in the San Fernando Valley that offers free
prenatal and maternal health education classes for pregnant women and
their families, and we are the only hospital to provide classes in both
English and Spanish, supporting participants who only speak Spanish or
have limited English proficiency. Our goal is to continue improving the
health of women during and after pregnancy, as well as birth outcomes
for women receiving care through our labor and delivery unit. General
operating support for this program will allow the hospital to continue
to provide this essential service at no charge to participants.
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Healthy Maturity Exercise Classes: The Health Maturity Exercise class is a free fitness program for seniors.
Certified instructors focus on strength building, cardiovascular endurance,
flexibility, and relaxation. Upgrades to a wide range of equipment for
these classes is required, so participants can continue improving their
quality of life.
For more information, please contact:
foundation@valleypres.org or 818.902.7928