Center for Home Care Policy & Research
The Center for Home Care Policy & Research at VNS Health advances the knowledge base of home- and community-based services. It does this by conducting scientifically rigorous research and supporting informed decision-making by providers, policymakers, and consumers.
At VNS Health, we transform data into information for action.
Current Research Projects
The Center for Home Care Policy & Research recently published a research study about the recovery of patients with COVD-19 in home health care. The study included 1,409 home health care patients discharged from 64 hospitals and cared for by VNS Health.
The study showed significant improvements in COVID-19 patients who received skilled home health care services after being discharged from the hospital. The results also suggested that home health care may be underutilized in the recovery of COVID-19 patients — and it could be a safe haven in future stages of the pandemic.
Our current research projects fall into three focus areas:
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Improving the quality, cost-effectiveness, and outcomes of home care services
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Analyzing and informing public policies that affect home-based care
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Supporting communities that promote successful aging in place
VNS Health Is a Learning Healthcare System
VNS Health embraces the qualities of a Learning Healthcare System (LHS). As defined by the National Academy of Medicine, an LHS is a model that:
- Generates and applies the best evidence for the collaborative health care choices of each patient and provider
- Drives the process of discovery as a natural outgrowth of patient care
- Ensures innovation, quality, safety, and value in health care
How to Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved with the Center for Home Care Policy & Research at VNS Health. Whether you’re a researcher, student, volunteer, health professional, or donor or you’re in the job market, join us in making impactful change for quality and cost-effective home care.
The Research Center Team
Led by our Vice President & Director of Research, Kathy Bowles, RN, PhD, FACMI, FAAN, van Amerigen Chair in Nursing Excellence & Professor of Nursing at University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and Margaret McDonald, MSW, Associate Director, our team includes distinguished scientists and researchers from or in collaboration with world-class research institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science, Columbia University School of Nursing, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York University, and Harvard Medical School.
