A Kaiser Permanente home health agency opened in Kona last week, allowing Kaiser Permanente members who need in-home care on Hawaii Island to have that care delivered to their homes.
Photo courtesy of Kaiser Permanente
The agency aims to provide nursing and physical therapy in the home for members who use assistive devices such as walkers, canes or wheelchairs, or whose health conditions make it difficult for them to leave their homes and whose care can only be safely carried out under the supervision of a skilled nurse or therapist.
“Having skilled medical professionals caring for our residents in their homes greatly improves the quality of life for our community,” said Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Ross. “It’s especially meaningful when the people providing these services are from Hawai’i Island. That’s why we’re committed to working together to further develop our talent pipeline and ensure our local residents receive care from individuals who understand and share our Big Island roots and values.”
Kahu Danny Akaka Jr. performed a traditional Hawaiian blessing for the new institute at Kaiser Permanente Kona Medical Center.
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The ceremony was attended by members of the home care team, the leadership team that supports their efforts, and other stakeholders, including Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke and Ross.
We initially started as a soft launch at the end of April with one nurse and one physiotherapist but have quickly grown to a team of six healthcare professionals with plans to continue expanding to meet the needs of our members.
“I want to thank Kaiser Permanente Hawaii for their ongoing efforts to expand services and improve access to care across our state,” the Lt. Governor said. “Providing access to health care, especially in our most rural communities, continues to be a priority for the Governor and me, and I commend Kaiser Permanente for extending care beyond the walls of their health facilities and bringing excellent care into our Kama’ana homes.”
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Ed Chang, president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals Hawaii Market, said Kona Home Health Agency’s small but mighty team spans every corner of the Big Island, and its members have demonstrated a willingness to go not just one mile, but 50 miles beyond.
“In Hilo, nurses will treat wounds, in Waimea physical therapists will help members with range of motion exercises after joint replacement surgery, and in Kona, nurses will help members manage chronic conditions like diabetes,” said Dr. John Yang, president and medical director of Hawaii Permanente Medical Group. “Removing barriers to mobility will have a life-changing impact on many of our vulnerable members, especially our kupuna and those who are homebound.”
Angel Vargas, vice president of Kaiser Permanente Care at Home, said home health care is a core and important service for the health system.
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“Our members and their families on Hawaii Island will now have greater access to these services,” Vargas said. “Our mission is to get patients back in their homes, safely in their homes, and we strive to provide an exceptional experience through safe, affordable and reliable care.”
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has three locations on the Big Island of Hawaii in Kona, Hilo and Waimea, serving a total of approximately 31,000 members, and also operates Kaiser Permanente Care at Home health care agencies on Oahu and Maui.
