Strategic Direction

CareSouth 2008

CareSouth Homecare Professionals faced a number of challenges in 2008, the greatest of which were the significant changes in Medicare reimbursement, which became effective January 1. Nonetheless, CareSouth had a very successful year providing home health services to more than 15,000 patients through 33 locations.

Forward Movement

CareSouth operates efficiently and strives to grow its business in a measured by aggressive manner. Through innovative technology and the development of clinical protocols for chronic disease, we find solutions to managing the health care needs of an aging population in a cost effective manner delivering quality care in the comfort of our patient's homes.

In 2008, CareSouth's business grew by over 20%, due in large part to our high level of both patient and referral source satisfaction.

Agency Recognition

Five CareSouth agencies earned listings in the 2008 HomeCare Elite Top 100 Agencies including offices in San Diego, California; Greensboro, North Carolina and Columbus, Georgia; as well as our MedCare@Home Dallas and Waxahachie, Texas offices. The report highlights agency scores within three HCE performance measures: Quality Outcomes, Quality Improvement and Financial Performance.

Growth and Acquisitions

The year 2008 was another year for growth in the CareSouth family with a new branch location opening in Nashville, Tennessee and another office in Fayetteville, Georgia in process for licensure. In addition, CareSouth was granted Medicare certification for a new division office in Macon, Georgia in early 2009.

Innovation and New Technology

In December 2008, CareSouth implemented an innovative electronic record system - HomeCare HomeBase. The PDA recording system allows point-of-care access to the most current clinical information and will allow CareSouth to hold the advantage in maintaining consistent compliance throughout each patient episode.

Progressive Training

In keeping with CareSouth's high standards in training and compliance, the Clinical Department of CareSouth began fully utilizing the CareSouth Academy, a virtual classroom online. The Academy provides one central location for all our training needs and can be accessed from any PC, at home or in the office. In addition to audio and video based training, all training records can be stored in one central location, keeping CareSouth and its professional health care staff up-to-date and Medicare compliant.