MIDDLEBURY — Sherry P. Greifzu, MSN, AOCN, APN, interim executive director and director of clinical services at Addison County Home Health and Hospice in Middlebury announces that four managers at ACHHH have recently obtained Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) education and certification. OASIS was developed by Medicare to assist the home care industry in assessing patient needs and measuring patient outcomes in an effort to continuously improve care.
With the changes in health care regulations, documentation with improved outcomes and emphasis in patient assessment and improvement throughout the episode of care, ACCCH  determined it was important to provide additional training to its staff and managers to improve their use of the OASIS tool.
The first step was completed in December to January when the entire clinical staff received education on the specifics of the OASIS document. The second phase was completed in May when four ACCCH clinical managers attended an OASIS training course for re-education and certification. 
All four passed the OASIS certification exam: Anne Nichols, RN, BSN and manager of the South Territory; Becky Bonvouloir, RN, BSN and manager of the North Territory; Jason LeBeau, manager of therapy services; and Angela Allard, RN, BSN, ACCCH clinical educator.
Plans for the third phase include continuous monthly education on OASIS specifics, with case studies, and certification of the Quality and Preceptor staff.
In other news, Greifzu reports that Eva Friend and Tara Spaulding, both home care case managers, have earned their bachelor of science in nursing degrees. Friend graduated from Vermont Technical College and Spaulding graduated from Utica College. Griefzu notes that both worked full-time as nurses serving the residents of Addison County while completing their studies, and  celebrates their dedication and tenacity in obtaining their degrees.
Says Greifzu, “Our staff strives to provide the best possible excellent patient care every day, and continuous education is part of what makes this possible.”
For more information, please visit www.achhh.org, or call (802) 388-7259.