Business Today

The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of Southeast Missouri has opened two new medical equipment stores in Southeast Missouri and plans to open two more in the next few months.

The new stores are in Kennett at 1112 S. Bypass and in Dexter at 1626 Business Highway 60. Plans are to open stores in Cape Girardeau and Sikeston within the next two months. The Cape location will be at 145 Mount Auburn Road across from Saint Francis Medical Center, and in Sikeston space has been leased next door to the VNA Home Health and Hospice office at 1218 Linn St.

Vans criss-cross 15 counties serviced by the VNA, making deliveries and setting up equipment for those requiring assistance at home. A new service includes diabetic testing supplies, professional fitting of diabetic shoes and inserts and ostomy supplies. The latest equipment in hospital beds, wheel chairs, walkers, bath aides, oxygen concentrators, CPAPs, phototherapy blankets and more are now available in all 15 counties, according to Helen Sander, RNC.

Certified respiratory therapists provide free home visits to assess the breathing needs of patients and to teach ways to maximize the benefits of the equipment their doctors prescribe for them. Licensed nurses also provide free home visits to help patents get the greatest benefit from their equipment purchase or rental.

Sanders said VNA Home Medical Equipment and Supply service is the latest in a long line of specialized services designed to meet the needs of the homebound ill and aging population who prefer to live in their own homes rather than move into an institution.

VNA, a private, non-profit home health care provider, celebrates 30 years of home care service in Southeast Missouri this year. VNA was a grant-funded project of five area health departments in 1973.

Nurses, therapists, dieticians, social workers, personal care aides and homemakers make home visits under orders from the patient's private physician or surgeon. Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance pays for most services when the patient meets the guidelines specific to the requested service.