Abington Health and North Penn Visiting Nurse Association Sign Letter of Intent

ABINGTON, Pa., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Officials at Abington Health and the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association (NPVNA) signed a letter of intent on Friday, November 2, 2012 for Abington Health to acquire the NPVNA.  The organizations will be entering a period of due diligence.

Abington Health's President and Chief Executive Officer Laurence M. Merlis stated, "The leaders and staff of the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association have built a well respected organization dedicated to serving the home health needs of the greater North Penn region.  We are excited to explore the opportunity to bring this organization to Abington Health as part of our strategy to form partnerships in preparation for the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act.  The North Penn Visiting Nurse Association (NPVNA) enables Abington Health to better provide the full continuum of care by geographically expanding our home health services."

Abington Health's Home Health Department employs 200 professionals who provide home care and hospice to residents in parts of Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.  The NPVNA employs approximately 100 professional staff members who will become employees of Abington Health.  The addition of the NPVNA will enhance Abington Health's existing home care and hospice services by expanding its service area.  The NPVNA also provides adult day services, a Chronic Care Management Program, Meals on Wheels, a pediatric clinic, Adult Health Center, dental clinic, health education classes, support groups, and health screenings and CPR training.

Kitty Fitzgerald, executive director, North Penn Visiting Nurse Association, says, "I am fully confident that the strength and breadth of the Abington Health organization makes it a perfect fit for the NPVNA.  Lansdale Hospital has been a good community partner since Abington Health acquired the hospital almost four years ago, and we can make this move confident about Abington Health's commitment to its mission."

The due diligence process is expected to take 60 days with the completion of the transaction anticipated for April 2013.

About Abington Health

Abington Health is the umbrella organization that encompasses its flagship hospital, Abington Memorial Hospital, in Abington and Lansdale Hospital in Hatfield Township. Abington Health also includes two convenient outpatient facilities, Abington Health Center - Schilling Campus in Willow Grove and Abington Health Center - Warminster Campus in Bucks County. Together, these facilities serve more than 42,200 inpatients, 131,000 emergency patients and over 560,000 outpatient visits annually.

Over 1,400 physicians are on staff at both Abington Memorial Hospital and Lansdale Hospital. Additionally, Abington Health Physicians is an employed network of specialists and primary care physicians.  Abington Health employs more than 6,000 employees, making it one of the largest employers in Montgomery County.

About the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association

North Penn Visiting Nurse Association is a non-profit organization that has been providing home and community-based healthcare services to the North Penn and surrounding communities for over 93 years.  North Penn VNA is a Medicare-certified and Joint Commission-accredited home health agency that has achieved the honor of being named a Home Care Elite agency for quality outcomes for three consecutive years, and has earned and maintained the Gold Seal of Approval for Quality from the Joint Commission for the past six years.

Programs and services provided by North Penn VNA include Home Health Care, Hospice, Adult Day Services, Chronic Care Management, Meals on Wheels, a Children's Clinic and Dental Clinic, health education programs, support groups, health screenings, and is an American Heart Association CPR training center.

SOURCE Abington Health