Accomplishments
Hospital Receives Mission: Lifeline Achievement Award
The Hospital of Central Connecticut received the Mission: Lifeline® Silver Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association (AHA) for treatment of patients who suffer the severe heart attack known as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) heart attacks. HOCC was also recognized as a recipient of Mission: Lifeline Silver-Plus award, which recognizes that the hospital has reached an achievement score of 75 percent or greater for treating STEMI transfer patients within 120 minutes. The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program’s goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, beginning with the 9-1-1 call and continuing through hospital treatment. HOCC follows AHA guidelines for STEMI heart attack patients, who require immediate treatment through clot-busting medication or an angioplasty procedure to clear blood flow blockage to the heart. AHA’s criteria and performance standards for STEMI patients include aggressive risk reduction therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, aspirin, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers, as well as smoking cessation counseling, if needed. HOCC’s designation as a STEMI receiving hospital by the State of Connecticut means patients have a 90 minutes or less Door to balloon (D2B) time. HOCC’s mean D2B time is 59 minutes.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs Recertified
The cardiac rehabilitation programs at both MidState Medical Center and The Hospital of Central Connecticut’s (HOCC) New Britain General and Bradley Memorial campuses earned three-year recertification from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). AACVPR-certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available. Both programs were recognized for their commitment to improving patients’ quality of life by enhancing standards of care. The hospitals’ cardiac rehabilitation programs include closely supervised exercise, ongoing education, risk factor modification, and counseling for people with heart disease, including angina or heart failure, and those who have had a heart attack, heart surgery or angioplasty.
HOCC and MidState Receive Lung Screening Cancer Center Designation
The Hospital of Central Connecticut (HOCC) Department of Radiology and Midstate Radiology Associates have been designated a Lung Screening Cancer Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR).
To receive distinction as a Lung Cancer Screening Center, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in computed tomography in the chest module, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment of its lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure. Also required are procedures in place for follow-up patient care, such as counseling and smoking cessation programs. This designation applies to both HOCC’s New Britain General and Bradley Memorial campuses, as well as MidState Medical Center.
Lung cancer is the nation’s leading cancer killer. Screening is recommended for adults aged 55 to 77 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Radiation dosage for the screening is nearly the same amount of radiation as in a mammogram, about 1/10 of a typical CT scan. The screening is covered by insurance, including Medicare. For more information on lung cancer screening at HOCC, please call thoracic nurse navigator Noa Mencher at 860.696.4814. For information on MidState’s program, please call Denise Jones-Gagne at 203.694.8631. A physician referral is required for a screening.
The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program recognizing facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.
MidState Joint Replacement Program Accredited
MidState is proud to have earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval this year for its Knee and Hip Replacement Program, having demonstrated compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for healthcare quality and safety in disease-specific care. To attain certification, the hospital completed a rigorous onsite review by a Joint Commission expert who evaluated MidState for compliance with standards of care specific to patients’ and families’ needs. The program’s initiatives this year focused on data collection; best practices for patients going home with home care services (e.g., physical therapy, visiting nurse) vs. to a rehabilitation facility; patient education, including the creation of an online pre-operative class – the first online education class to be offered to patients; an updated patient education guidebook; and implementation of a baseball-themed patient pathway used to help joint replacement patients achieve progressive goals — bases — starting on day of surgery. “This award confirms our program’s commitment to our patients. Our joint replacement patients can rest assured they are getting superior care at MidState,” said orthopedic surgeon and joint program medical director Dr. Craig Foster.
Hospital of Central Connecticut a ‘Most Wired’ Hospital
The Hospital of Central Connecticut was one of only 338 hospitals nationwide named a “Most Wired” hospital by H&HN (Hospitals and Health Networks). HOCC received the recognition based on the 2015 Most Wired™ survey and benchmarking study that measures information technology use and adoption among hospitals nationwide. Fellow Hartford HealthCare affiliate Backus Hospital also received this distinction. The survey had more than 741 participants representing more than 2,213 hospitals. It examined how organizations are leveraging IT to improve performance toward high quality care at the lowest possible cost in several areas. To be named a Most Wired hospital an organization had to meet particular criteria in infrastructure; business and administrative management; clinical quality and safety (inpatient/outpatient hospital); and clinical integration (ambulatory/physician/patient/community). Survey results indicate greater emphasis on privacy and security measures to protect and safeguard patient data. In addition, 89 percent of Most Wired organizations offer access to the patient portal through a mobile application. The Hospital of Central Connecticut provides MyHOCC patient portals, an online resource that allows patients to conveniently and securely view a summary of their HOCC medical record, view upcoming hospital appointments. Last year HOCC successfully attested to stage 2 meaningful use criteria set by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid as part of its electronic health records incentive program that includes having a patient portal. H&HN is an American Hospital Association publication.
MidState Bariatric Surgery Program Certified
Recognizing excellence in bariatric surgery, MidState achieved Comprehensive Center accreditation from the American College of Surgeons and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). This certification signifies that MidState’s program meets the highest standards for quality and patient-centered care. MidState underwent a rigorous examination to meet accreditation standards. Areas of interest to examiners included patient education, long-term patient follow up, support group offerings, data collection methods and quality improvement measures. “Part of this process involved demonstrating how we follow up with our patients along the entire continuum of care. It is important that we collaborate with our outpatient providers before and after surgery to ensure a smooth transition of care for our patients,” said Dr. Aziz Benbrahim, general surgeon and medical director of MidState’s bariatric surgery program.
Clinical Excellence in Wound Care
MidState’s Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine program was awarded the Center of Distinction by Healogics, Inc., the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services. MidState’s center achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months, including maintaining a patient satisfaction score of higher than 92 percent and a minimum wound healing rate of at least 91 percent within 30 days, among other outstanding quality outcomes. There were 506 centers eligible for the Center of Distinction, and only 172 achieved the honor. “We are so proud to have achieved this recognition,” said Valarie DiMiero, program director for MidState’s Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine program. “One of the hallmarks of the care we provide is that it is truly patient-centered. Our high healing rates and patient satisfaction scores are the result of a commitment by each and every one of our staff to provide high-quality, evidence-based and compassionate care,” said DiMiero.
Central Region Goes Live With Smart Infusion Pumps
The Hospital of Central Connecticut and MidState Medical Center went live with use of CareFusion Smart Infusion Pumps in 2015. They are also in use at the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at The Hospital of Central Connecticut. These pumps replace traditional infusion pumps used on the hospitals’ campuses. CareFusion pumps will eventually be used at all five HHC acute care hospitals.
Displaying Leadership in Healthcare
In honor of outstanding leadership in the healthcare industry, MidState this year received the Leadership in Healthcare Award by the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce. MidState was selected as this year’s recipient for its deep involvement in the Wallingford community, including a commitment to assist Wallingford EMS providers with educational requirements through its relationship with Hartford Hospital’s Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation. The award was presented at the Chamber’s Centennial Gala at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford.
Pictured left to right are Dee Prior Nesti, executive director, Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce; Cindy Russo, vice president, operations, MidState Medical Center; and Karen Clarke, of Healthy CT.
Recertification in Diabetes Education
The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program at both MidState Medical Center and The Hospital of Central Connecticut was recertified by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Programs that earn certification meet the national standards for diabetes education and have a staff of knowledgeable health professionals who can provide state-of-the-art information about diabetes management. “Self-management is an essential component of diabetes treatment. In our educational programs, patients learn how to effectively manage their disease and prevent complications from arising. Our patients can also feel confident they are receiving instruction from providers who are experts in diabetes management,” said Karen Mcavoy, diabetes program education coordinator.
MidState and HOCC Recognized for Promoting Organ Donation
LifeChoice Donor Services acknowledged MidState Medical Center and The Hospital of Central Connecticut for achieving Gold level recognition with the United States Health Resources and Services Administration for its organ, eye, and tissue donation and registration efforts in 2015. MidState and HOCC are two of only 400 hospitals nationwide to be awarded for its participation in the Workplace Partnership for Life Campaign. Through the combined efforts of these hospitals, the campaign resulted in adding 327,659 enrollments to state donor registries. In 2015, LifeChoice hosted events at both hospitals to spread awareness about organ and tissue donation and encourage staff to register. Both hospitals proudly raise a white Donate Life flag when an organ donation is made.