Kindred Healthcare

Infobox_Company
company_name = Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
company_| company_type = Public (NYSE|KND)
company_slogan =
foundation = 1985, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
location = Louisville, Kentucky, USA
key_people = Paul J. Diaz (President/CEO) Edward L. Kuntz (Executive Chairman)

Richard E. Chapman (Executive Vice President/CAO/CIO)Frank J. Battafarno (COO)
num_employees = 52,500 As of December 31, 2007.]
industry = Healthcare
products = Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals, Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, Assisted Living Facilities, Rehabilitation Services
divisions = Hospital, Health Services, People"first" Rehabilitation, Kindred Support Center
revenue = $4.22 Billion USD (2007) [ cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 56]
net_income = profit $536.2 Million USD (2007) [ cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 56]
homepage = [http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/ www.kindredhealthcare.com]

Kindred Healthcare Incorporated (nyse|KND) is a healthcare services company that through its subsidiaries operates hospitals, nursing centers, and contract rehabilitation services across the United States. Kindred is the largest post-acute healthcare provider in the US [ Ranking based on revenues. ] and is largely renowned for its ventilator rehabilitation services.

The company was founded in 1985 as Vencor, Inc. The current name was adopted on April 20, 2001 following its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. [cite press release
title = VENCOR EMERGES FROM CHAPTER 11
publisher = Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
date = April 20, 2001
url = http://web.archive.org/web/20010608053705/www.kindredhealthcare.com/press/emergence.htm
format =
accessdate = 2007-06-28
quote = The name Kindred Healthcare was selected to reflect the Company's values, quality, compassion and integrity.] The company's fortunes improved largely post-reorganization. Kindred is a former Fortune 500 company, and was ranked as 518 in 2008. [cite web
last =
first = FORTUNE 500
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Fortune 500 2008: Kindred Healthcare
work =
publisher =
date =
url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2008/snapshots/10748.html
format = HTML
doi =
accessdate = 2008-07-03 ]

At the close of 2007, 630 facilities were being run and operated by Kindred, including long-term acute care (LTAC) hospitals, nursing centers, and rehabilitation services. Overall, the corporation serves approximately 35,000 patients daily across 40 states. [As of December 31, 2007.] Its headquarters and support center is located in Louisville, Kentucky.

On July 31, 2007, Kindred and AmerisourceBergen combined their institutional pharmacy services businesses to form PharMerica. [ cite web
last = Kindred Healthcare
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = AMERISOURCEBERGEN AND KINDRED HEALTHCARE ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF TRANSACTION TO CREATE PHARMERICA CORPORATION
work = Kindred Healthcare Press Release
publisher =
date = 2008
url = http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/Press/2007-07-31.asp
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-07-08 ] Kindred is currently looking into opportunities to develop Transitional Care Units for patients who may no longer require the diagnostic provisions and daily supervision of a physician. [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title =
journal = Spirit
volume =
issue =
pages = pp. 10
date = December 2007
year = 2007
url =
doi =
id = ]

Mission Statement

Kindred Healthcare's mission statement is as follows:

Kindred Healthcare’s mission is to promote healing, provide hope, preserve dignity and produce value for each patient, resident, family member, customer, employee and shareholder we serve. [ Updated in Spring 2008. ]

Divisions

Kindred has currently operates three separate divisions: the Hospital division, the Health Services division, and People"first" Rehabilitation. A former fourth division, Kindred Pharmacy Services (KPS), was recently spun off in a merger with AmerisourceBergen, resulting in the creation of PharMerica.

Hospital Division

Kindred Healthcare currently operates 84 hospitals (a total of 6,567 beds) in 24 states. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 3] All Kindred hospitals are long-term acute care service providers (LTACs). Where traditional short-term acute care hospitals have an average length-of-stay of 4.8 days, Kindred's LTAC hospitals have an average length-of-stay of about 30 days. [cite web
url= http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5427a6.htm
title= Average Length of Hospital Stay by Diagnostic Category
accessmonthday= July 9
accessyear= 2008
author= QuickStats
year= 2003
format= HTML
pages= See "All diagnoses."] [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/InvestorInfo/profile/Hospital.asp
title= Hospital Division
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2008
format= HTML
pages= ]

Those who Kindred serves are often medically complex patients who require prolonged treatment plans and extended recovery time. These patients typically have seriously medical conditions. Kindred's treatment approach is carried out by an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including respiratory therapists, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and dietitians.

Common services provided by Kindred Healthcare hospitals include: [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Kindred Healthcare: A Diversified Post-acute Healthcare Company
journal =
volume =
issue =
pages = 3
date = 2007
year =
url =
doi =
id = ]
* Pulmonary services (ventilator management and weaning, tracheostomy management, etc.)
* Critical care services (for such conditions as multi-system failure, heart failure, shock, or pre- or post- transplant care)
* IV antibiotic care (for infections such as septicemia and soft tissue infections)
* Wound care services (management of complex wounds, including diabetic and decubitus ulcers)
* Rehab services for medically complex patients including orthopedic, cardiac and pulmonary rehab
* Sub-acute and outpatient programs (rehabilitation, surgery, comprehensive wound treatment including hyperbaric oxygen therapy)

Kindred operates both freestanding hospitals and hospital-in-hospitals. As of December 31, 2007, Kindred ran 67 frestanding hospitals with 5,845 licensed beds. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 8 ] Along with traditional freestanding hospitals, Kindred operates 17 hospital-in-hospitals (HIH). An HIH operates in a "host hospital," where it provides LTAC services to patients it receives from the short-term acute care units. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 9 ]

The Hospital Division had revenues of $1.8 billion in 2007, [ Before eliminations ] making Kindred the largest network of LTAC hospitals in the United States. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 5 ] Leading the Hospital Division is Executive Vice President Benjamin A. Breier.

In February 2006, Kindred acquired five freestanding LTAC hospitals and one hospital-in-hospital through the Commonwealth Transaction, in which Kindred bought the operations of Commonwealth Communities Holdings LLC in Massachusetts. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 3 ] Overall, from January 2003 to September 2007, Kindred opened 17 new hospitals and acquired seven others. [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title =
journal = Spirit
volume =
issue =
pages = pp. 9
date = December 2007
year = 2007
url =
doi =
id = ]

Currently, the Hospital Division is working on developing Sub-Acute Units that can take advantage of unused capacity. They specifically serve patients who may not require the intensity of care or supervision provided by a hospital. Often, they address the specific care needs of those with late-stage emphysema and congestive heart failure, Stage III or IV pressure ulcers, and other difficult to heal surgical wounds and infections. [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title =
journal = Spirit
volume =
issue =
pages = pp. 10
date = December 2007
year = 2007
url =
doi =
id = ] Already, several Kindred hospitals host these units. Seven Sub-Acute Units are functioning, with three more planned for development in 2008. [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title =
journal = Spirit
volume =
issue =
pages = pp. 10
date = December 2007
year = 2007
url =
doi =
id = ] [ As of December 2007 ]

Every Kindred hospital is reviewed by internal quality auditors for compliance with the standards of the Joint Commission.

Health Services Division

The Health Services Division (HSD) of Kindred Healthcare operates nursing and rehabilitation centers and assisted living facilities. Like most nursing homes, Kindred's centers care for both short-term residents (focus on rehabilitation) and long-term residents (often with multiple medical, cognitive, or emotional problems). As of 2007, Kindred operated 228 nursing and rehabilitation centers (29,204 beds) in 27 states. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 3 ]

Those patients who are in need of rehab are treated by Kindred's People"first" Rehabilitation division. Those who opt for long-term treatment or residency are provided care that includes a full range of pharmacy, medical and clinical services, as well as routine services including daily dietary, social, and recreational activities. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 13 ]

Common services provided by HSD nursing and rehabilitation centers include: [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Kindred Healthcare: A Diversified Post-acute Healthcare Company
journal =
volume =
issue =
pages = 5
date = 2007
year =
url =
doi =
id = ]
* IV therapy for infections and total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
* Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (C-PAP/BI-PAP)
* Tracheostomy care and removal
* Feeding tubes
* Comprehensive wound care
* Inpatient and outpatient physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy
* Hospice care
* Assisted Living

Among other services, many of Kindred's nursing and rehabilitation centers also provide specialized dementia and Alzheimer's disease treatment in Reflections units and Passages communities. Reflections units assist those with mild to moderate impairments, with a focus on the patient's abilities rather than disabilities. A program known as ColorScapes is implemented by these units. These treatments are supportive rather than curative. The Passages communities focus on moderate to severe impairments, assisting residents in the lifestyle changes that come with cognitive changes.

Other notables services provided by Kindred's nursing and rehabilitation centers include:
* Falling Stars: A falls prevention program.
* Family Education Program: Partners in Caring: A program designed to help guide residents and families through the admissions process into Kindred nursing homes.
* Angel Care: A one-on-one resident/nurse interaction program.

The Health Services Division had $1.9 billion in revenues [ Before eliminations ] in 2007, making them the second largest nursing center operator in the United States. [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Kindred Healthcare: A Diversified Post-acute Healthcare Company
journal =
volume =
issue =
pages = 2
date = 2007
year =
url =
doi =
id = ] The division is headed by Executive Vice President Lane M. Bowen.

HSD has made a number of recent facility acquisitions. In February 2006, Kindred Healthcare completed the Commonwealth Transaction, in which Kindred bought the operations of Commonwealth Communities Holdings LLC in Massachusetts. 11 campuses were acquired during this acquisition, including nine nursing centers and four assisted living facilities. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 3, 15 ] 2007 saw eight new leases for nursing centers in the San Francisco, as well as the acquisition of an additional nursing center/assisted living facility. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 15 ]

Kindred has also divested several of its nursing centers—34 facilities over the past three years. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 15 ] There are additional plans in 2008 for further divestment of seven under-performing facilities. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 15 ]

Currently, HSD is investing in Transitional Care Units (TCUs), which serve those transitioning from nursing centers or hospitals back to the community. These units, which are located within Kindred's nursing and rehabilitation facilities, typically consist of 12 to 36 beds. Services offered include physical, occupational and speech therapy to patients recovering from conditions such as joint replacement surgery, as well as cardiac and respiratory ailments. [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Kindred Healthcare Health Services Division Quality Report
journal =
volume =
issue =
pages = 6
date = 2006
year =
url =
doi =
id = ] Plans for independent Transitional Care Centers are also in development.

In 2007, 39 of Kindred Healthcare's nursing and rehabilitation centers received the AHCA Quality Award. This was the largest number of recipients of any company in the country. [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Kindred Healthcare: A Diversified Post-acute Healthcare Company
journal =
volume =
issue =
pages = 3
date = 2007
year =
url =
doi =
id = ]

People"first" Rehabilitation

Kindred's Rehabilitation division, known as People"first" Rehabilitation, serves Kindred sites in addition to non-Kindred facilities. The rehab units in Kindred hospitals and nursing centers are staffed and managed by People"first". The division was officially created on January 1, 2004.

As of 2007, People"first" provides rehab services to 502 nursing centers, 87 hospitals and 55 other locations in 40 states. Approximately 68% of the division's revenues in 2007 were generated from contracts with Kindred hospitals and nursing centers. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 18 ] The division has 318 external customers. [ As of December 31, 2007 ]

The rehabilitiation services provided by People"first" include inpatient and outpatient physical, occupational, and speech language pathology services. The nature of the programs tend to focus on recovery and reentry into the larger community.

Some of People"first"'s comprehensive programs include: [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Kindred Healthcare: A Diversified Post-acute Healthcare Company
journal =
volume =
issue =
pages = 7
date = 2007
year =
url =
doi =
id = ]
* Wound care
* Pain management
* Continence improvement
* Falls prevention
* Dementia management

Kindred has developed its own proprietary clinical tracking system for use in the field. The system allows People"first" to track patient outcomes, provide quality assurance, identify industry trends, streamline invoicing and manage reporting. [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Kindred Healthcare: A Diversified Post-acute Healthcare Company
journal =
volume =
issue =
pages = 7
date = 2007
year =
url =
doi =
id = ] Kindred also provides assistance with reimbursement issues, HIPAA implementation, regulatory compliance and clinical issues—as well as formal therapist training—for all of its rehab partners.

People"first" Rehabilitation reported $352 million in revenues for 2007. [ Before eliminations ] [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/KHMapped/documents/10k-2007.pdf
title= Kindred Healthcare Annual Report: SEC Form 10-K 2007
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2007
format= PDF
pages= pp. 20 ] This makes them the second-largest publicly held contract therapy company in the United States. A total of 7,600 employees work under this division—4,400 of them are therapists. [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = Kindred Healthcare: A Diversified Post-acute Healthcare Company
journal =
volume =
issue =
pages = 2
date = 2007
year =
url =
doi =
id = ] People"first" is headed by President Christopher M. Bird.

Currently, People"first" is working to expand 35 existing facility-based outpatient rehab clinics as well as open 10 new sites. [Citation
last = Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc.
first =
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title =
journal = Spirit
volume =
issue =
pages = pp. 10
date = December 2007
year = 2007
url =
doi =
id = ]

Kindred Support Center

The support center (formally known as "Corporate") for all Kindred facilities is located at company headquarters in Louisville, KY. The staff of about 1000 employees is headed by Executive Vice President, CAO and CIO Richard Chapman.

The support services provided to Kindred hospitals, nursing facilities, and rehab locations include: [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/Employment/Corporate/home.asp
title= Corporate Careers
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2008
format= asp
pages=]
* Accounting
* Payroll
* Reimbursement
* Communications
* Financial
* Human resources
* Information systems
* Legal support

Data Center

Part of the Support Center's Information Systems department includes Kindred Healthcare's data center. Staffed by approximately 300 individuals, the data center houses 1,300 servers and a network that spans over 300 facilities in 40 states. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/Employment/Corporate/home.asp
title= Corporate Careers
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2008
format= asp
pages=]

Kindred's network enables access and printing of materials anywhere in the company's enterprise and via any file format. Software that is used in tandem with the servers and networks includes application software such as Meditech Health Care Information Systems, SAP R/4 Financial Systems, Cypress and ProTouch. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/Employment/Technology.asp
title= Technology at Kindred
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2008
format= asp
pages=]

In September 2007, Kindred Healthcare was listed as No. 116 in the InformationWeek 500. Its Information Systems department has made this list nine years in a row. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/Employment/Corporate/home.asp
title= Corporate Careers
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2008
format= asp
pages=]

Best Places to Work in Kentucky

In 2008, the Kindred Support Center was named one of the [http://www.bestplacestoworkky.com/ Top 25 Best Places to Work in Kentucky] among large-sized companies. This was its second consecutive time receiving this award. It was presented to Kindred by the Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management State Council and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

The selection was based on an assessment of the company's employee policies and procedures, as well as the results of an internal employee survey. [cite web
url= http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/Employment/Corporate/home.asp
title= Corporate Careers
accessmonthday= July 1
accessyear= 2008
author= Kindred Healthcare
year= 2008
format= asp
pages=]

External links

* [http://www.kindredhealthcare.com/home.asp Kindred Healthcare website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/kindredhealthcareinc Kindred Healthcare's YouTube profile]

References