VITAS Healthcare
VITAS Healthcare provides comprehensive hospice and palliative care services across 15 states and the District of Columbia, supported by a robust training and mentorship program for new employees.
Services
VITAS Healthcare offers a wide range of hospice care services, including at-home hospice care, inpatient hospice care, and palliative care. They provide 24/7 Telecare services for patients and families, ensuring comprehensive support at any time. Their services encompass personalized care plans tailored to specific conditions or illnesses, emotional and spiritual care such as music therapy, pet visits, and pastoral care, as well as respite care to give primary caregivers a break from their duties.
Training and Mentorship Programs
VITAS Healthcare has a robust training and mentorship program for new employees, aiming to prepare them thoroughly for their roles. The organization also offers free webinars and continuing education credits for healthcare professionals, ensuring ongoing professional development. This includes specialized training for their interdisciplinary care teams, which consist of physicians, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, volunteers, and bereavement specialists.
Community Involvement and Charity
In 2023, VITAS Healthcare provided $11.9 million in genuine charity care to hospice patients nationwide. They support their communities through extensive volunteer programs, training 5,700 volunteers who collectively provided 229,132 hours of care during the year. Additionally, VITAS offers a comprehensive bereavement support program available to families for up to 13 months after a patient's death, ensuring continued emotional support.
Technology and Innovations
VITAS Healthcare leverages technology to enhance patient care, including a mobile application designed for hospice referrals and patient care management. This app helps streamline processes and improve communication among care teams. They also offer specialized services for veterans, understanding their unique needs at the end of life, demonstrating VITAS' commitment to providing personalized and efficient care through innovative solutions.
History
Since its founding in 1978, VITAS Healthcare has been a pioneer in the hospice movement. Over the decades, they have expanded their services to provide hospice care across 15 states and the District of Columbia. VITAS operates 25 inpatient hospice units and has 10,763 caring professionals providing care to 19,952 patients daily, underscoring their long-standing dedication to quality end-of-life care.