About Us
Hospice of Eastern Idaho is located in Idaho Falls, ID and has been providing care since 2000. We are Medicare and Medicaid Certified. We belong to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO). We are also members of the Idaho State Hospice Association and the Idaho Falls Better Business Bureau.
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency and we provide care regardless of ability to pay. We serve people in our community of all economic backgrounds with the same high quality of care. We currently serve a five county area in southeastern Idaho, providing care anywhere the patient resides: home, assisted living or skilled nursing facility.
Mission
Hospice of Eastern Idaho is committed to improving the quality of life of the terminally ill and their families through a holistic and individualized care utilizing the most modern philosophies and techniques in medical care, psychosocial, spiritual and bereavement services.
Quality Care
Beginning December, 2008, Medicare and Medicaid required that all hospices have a Quality Assessment Performance Improvement (QAPI) program. Hospice of Eastern Idaho has been collaborating with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) since 2007 and has a pledge of commitment to be supportive and participate in the QAPI “Quality Partners” initiative. This commitment is a 360 degree surveillance of the entire hospice operation. There are 10 components that include initiatives that are both clinical and administrative.
By using QAPI, we will be able to demonstrate the high quality of care we are already providing. By collaborating with NHPCO, we will share, learn and challenge ourselves to explore best practices. We are excited to have a new tool to document our existing quality of care, and hope all other hospices will adopt this program.
History
In 2000, Good Samaritan Nursing Home operated the only hospice in Idaho Falls. When a decision was made to close down the hospice program, it left Idaho Falls without a hospice. Knowing the need for hospice services, a small group of their former employees got together and decided to form a new hospice. Founders of this new not-for-profit Hospice of Eastern Idaho included Marilyn Watts, Ray Barnes, and Chuck Rice. Keeping the fledgling hospice afloat in those early days required the support of many unpaid hours of work and contributions of generous donors. The organization outlasted the many challenges of its early years. Through the support of dedicated staff, energetic volunteers, and generous donors, we are able to provide quality care that goes beyond the medical guidelines set forth by Medicare/Medicaid. Our care improves the lives of people in our community, the patients and families, who are affected by a terminal illness.
Board of Directors
Because we are a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), we are required by law to have a Board of Directors. Our bylaws allow a small fraction of the board to include paid employees; however, most of the Board of Directors are local residents who donate their time so that we can continue to provide quality hospice care to the community.
- Our Current Board of Directors
- Diane Key, Chairman, Board of Directors
- H. Peter Planchon, Vice Chairman, Board of Directors
- O. Keener Earle, Secretary
- Marvin Eld, Treasurer
- Dr. Mary Anne Reynolds, Board Member
- Dr. Tim Thurman, M.D., Board Member
- Carol Ormand, Board Member
- Tami Thatcher, Board Member
- Charles Rice, Board Member Emeritus
Corporate Officers
- Ray Puccinelli, Jr., Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- The CEO is responsible for the management and cooperation of all hospice program areas and for promoting hospice within the community.
- Dr. Scott Taylor, Medical Director
- The Medical Director is responsible for directing and coordinating all medical care of the patients and medically related functions of Hospice of Eastern Idaho. The Medical Director serves as a consultant to the patient's physician. At the request of the patient or the patient’s own physician, the Medical Director may assume primary care of the patient.
- Sandra Hartenstein, Patient Services Director
- The Patient Service Director is responsible for overseeing all nursing aspects of Hospice of Eastern Idaho. Coordinating the interdisciplinary team to provide care that meets the patient/family goals for quality care is the main responsibility of the Patient Services Director.