Referrals

If you or a family member requires home nursing, private duty, hospice services or medical equipment and supplies, we can help. A Family member or the Patient may request home care services or the physician may suggest it. Referrals must be made by the patient's physician or a hospital discharge coordinator. Please see links on the left to find out more about the many programs and services we offer and the qualifications for home care.

Request by Family Member or Patient for Home Care Services

When Patient is in the Hospital

The patient or family member should tell the physician and the hospital social worker that they want a Home Care referral. The patient or family member may request the Visiting Nurses Association, Western Pennsylvania if this is their agency of choice.

Everyone has the right to choose the home care service they want. If you know which agency you would like to have providing your services, you must specify. If you do not specify a particular agency, such as the Visiting Nurses Association, Western Pennsylvania, the physician or hospital social worker can randomly select a service for you.

Before the patient is discharged from the hospital the patient or family should verify that a home care order has been written and, if a specific agency has been requested, that information is on the order.

The Visiting Nurses Association, Western Pennsylvania will admit a patient within 24 hours of receipt of the referral, unless otherwise specified.

If the Patient is in the Home (No Hospital Stay)

Call the family doctor and, if possible, make an appointment for the patient to see the doctor. 

Ask the doctor to call the Visiting Nurses Assocation, Western Pennsylvania, toll free 1-877-862-6659 or 724-282-6806, and ask for Central Intake to make a referral. Or, physician offices may print and complete our MD Referral form and fax the order to our Central Intake Department. 

After the physician has made the referral to the Visiting Nurses Association, Western Pennsylvania, the family may call Central Intake 1-877-862-6659 or 724-282-6806 with any questions about the patient's care.

If the physician is not sure the patient qualifies for home care services, Visiting Nurses Association, Western Pennsylvania can provide an evaluation visit to determine eligibility.