A Year of System-Wide Accomplishments

Maintained an “A stable” bond rating, enabling continued investment in innovative technology, facilities and highly skilled staff.

Continued the CareConnect system-wide transformation to the Epic electronic health record with successful implementation in August at 23 primary care practices. Epic is under implementation at all five HHC hospitals and other organizations, including HHC at Home; the Behavioral Health Network (Natchaug Hospital, Rushford, the Institute of Living), the rehabilitation network; senior services (including skilled-nursing facilities); and with all medical, nursing and ancillary staffs.

Implemented the PeopleSoft platform systemwide to improve requisition of goods and services, obtainment of financial information, approval of purchases and invoices, and other processes.

Opened a state-of-the-art Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, a $40 million, 100,000-square-foot facility offering the full continuum of cancer care.

Began renovations of The Hospital of Central Connecticut Bradley Memorial Emergency Department in Southington to develop a universal care unit and extend outpatient services. Renovations will augment the Hartford HealthCare Family Health Center to open in Southington in 2017.

Opened a comprehensive orthopedic center on The Hospital of Central Connecticut Bradley Memorial campus to provide a range of ambulatory services.

Continued to develop Family Health Centers (now numbering 12) in the system service area to increase community access to care.

Launched a Neuroscience Center to bring together expertise in several disciplines across the Hartford HealthCare system, increasing coordination of care and improving quality and safety. The Center will develop innovative programs, such as headache management and movement-disorder programs.

Opened a 2,500-square-foot Family Health Center in Ledyard and a Family Health Center in Waterford, increasing access to urgent and primary care in Eastern Connecticut.

Began construction of a 40,000-square-foot center in Plainfield (to be completed in 2016) to house rehabilitation services, a women’s health center, cardiology services, infusion and medical oncology services, and an ambulatory surgery center.

Backus was the first hospital in Eastern Connecticut to offer the latest daVinci® robotic surgical technology, expanding hospital robotics beyond urology and gynecology.

First hospital in Eastern Connecticut to offer MAKOplasty®, a new surgical, minimally invasive technology to improve patient outcomes in knee and hip surgeries.

Named a 2014/2015 Consumer Choice Award winner by the National Research Corporation, an award recognizing hospitals across the country that consumers choose as having the highest quality and image.

Named a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by the Joint Commission for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, and surgical care.

Launched the Preventive Medicine Institute to move care toward population health management, with providers working closely with patients with chronic conditions to reduce readmissions and Emergency Department visits.

Completed major renovation of a 5,000-square-foot office building adjacent to the hospital campus to house gastroenterology and pediatrics practices.

Diabetes Education Program again received four-year accreditation from the American Diabetes Association, recognizing quality in diabetes selfmanagement education programs.

Opened a Heart Failure Resource Center to provide congestive heart failure patients and their families with education and support to improve disease management and quality of life and to reduce hospital admissions and readmissions.

Renovated the LaPlanche Clinic at the Meriden Senior Center, which has nearly 1,000 patient visits annually.

Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at MidState Medical Center was reaccredited by American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

Since launching its Senior Emergency Care Services initiative to better coordinate senior care and improve patient outcomes, Emergency Department pharmacists identified more than 500 medication interactions among area seniors, and the ED staff connected more than 60 seniors with primary care providers.

Implemented a new patient care model, Acute Behavioral Health Unit, located in the Emergency Department, to expand crisis evaluation coverage to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Diabetes Self-Management Education Program was recertified by the American Diabetes Association.

Advanced Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine team received the 2014 Excellence in the Workplace Award from the Connecticut Nurses Association for creating a work environment promoting professional autonomy and quality nursing practices.

The Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at The Hospital of Central Connecticut opened its doors. It’s a state-of-the-art, $40 million, 100,000-squarefoot cancer and medical arts center in New Britain / Plainville, offering the full continuum of cancer care services, from prevention to treatment.

Opened a new 32-bed inpatient psychiatric unit at the New Britain General campus, part of an HHC plan to expand access to inpatient psychiatry services in Central Connecticut, giving patients  a wider range of treatment options and clinical interventions in one central location.

Began renovation of Department of Cardiology on the New Britain campus, bringing together registration, treatment, recovery and discharge in a single location.

HOCC was rated by U.S. News & World Report as being one of the Best Hospitals for Common Care and as high-performing in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

HOCC recognized as one of the most technologically advanced hospitals in the nation with a “Most Wired” award by Hospitals and Health Networks, a publication of the American Hospital Association.

The Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at HOCC was recognized with a 2014 Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer, an accrediting arm of the American College of Surgeons. Only 75 programs nationwide receive the annual award.

HOCC received the Mission: Lifeline® Silver Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients suffering severe heart attacks.

Began construction of the Bone & Joint Institute, a $150 million facility to include five floors of 130,000 square feet with 10 operating rooms; 48 to 52 inpatient beds (with the capability of expanding to 80 beds); diagnostic services; orthopedic urgent care; and public space. The ambulatory and medical space will include three floors of 35,000 total square feet with offices for orthopedics, rheumatology and neurosciences; and three ambulatory surgery rooms with space for two additional operating rooms. The Institute is designed to be the premier musculoskeletal clinical and research center in the region.

Began work to expand the Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation (CESI) – a nationally recognized, state-of-the-art medical training and education center – with a $15 million state grant. The expansion will triple the size of CESI.

The Institute of Living opened an on-campus Family Resource Center and hub for the ACCESS-Mental Health Connecticut Program. ACCESS-Mental Health CT is a statewide initiative to connect pediatricians and primary care providers with psychiatry services; the IOL is one of only three hubs in the state.

Launched a Neuroscience Center to bring together expertise in several disciplines across the Hartford HealthCare system, increasing coordination of care and improving quality and safety.

Added 14 beds to the hospital’s critical care capacity by completing the Center 8 ICU; rooms are designed to enable family members to comfortably spend time with loved ones.

LIFE STAR, part of Hartford Hospital’s Level One Trauma Center program, celebrated 30 years of transporting and delivering critical care to more than 30,000 patients.

LIFE STAR established a third base at MidState Medical Center in Meriden to increase access to complex care in Central Connecticut.

Transplant team completed 3,000th transplant.

Hartford Hospital participated in the longest kidney transplant chain ever accomplished; 34 kidneys were swapped among 26 hospitals over three months.

Pet Therapy Program celebrated 20th anniversary with more than 50 canine volunteers spreading comfort and cheer throughout the hospital in a unique program that enables nursing staff and other care givers to easily request canine visits.

In partnership with Integrated Care Partners, and using best practices, BHN launched a pilot program placing behavioral health clinicians in primary care offices. The clinician provides consultations to other members of the practice, assisting with diagnosis and assessment of patients’ behavioral health related problems, conducting brief treatment, and facilitating referrals to community resources. A $100,000 grant from the Connecticut Health Foundation supports the program.

Reorganized, restructured and reintegrated behavioral health services at the Emergency Center at Windham Hospital, enhancing the level of care provided to psychiatric patients.

Introduced a new crisis-intervention and behavior management method to create a single standard, best-practice model for patient, employee and workplace safety.

Opened a 32-bed inpatient psychiatric unit at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain campus, to expand access to inpatient psychiatry services in Central Connecticut, giving patients a wider range of treatment options and clinical interventions in one central location.

Natchaug launched an innovative campaign to provide vocational experiences within programs for emotionally disturbed students.

Institute of Living selected as one of three hubs in Connecticut as part of the ACCESS-Mental Health Connecticut Program, a statewide initiative to connect pediatricians and primary care providers with psychiatry services.

To provide more complete, holistic patient care, began integrating behavioral health services into primary care to assist in diagnosis and assessment of patients’ behavioral health problems.

Expanded community care management team to more than 30 members (nurses, social workers, health coaches) to assist physicians and practices in improving outcomes for patients with chronic conditions. Team members are nationally certified in managing chronic diseases.

Led the system-wide implementation of RightCare, a software platform used in hospital admissions to identify patients at high risk for readmission or complications from their illnesses. RightCare, proven to reduce readmissions and improve patient outcomes, assists in better care coordination and patient transition to post-acute care, including skilled nursing, home care or rehabilitation services. RightCare is in place at HHC hospitals and is connected to several skilled-nursing facilities.

Led establishment of congestive heart failure clinics at Hartford Hospital, Windham Hospital and MidState Hospital, using the pilot program at The Hospital of Central Connecticut as an example, to reduce patient readmissions and improve patients’ quality of life through education and enhanced patient engagement.

Hartford HealthCare at Home

Team members earned hospice certification, a newly developed certification by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Expanded hospice services to the Norwich service area.

Hospice program received “We Honor Veterans” level two certification.

Population health program is demonstrating increasing value in partnership with Integrated Care Partners.

Independence Living Services became Hartford HealthCare Independence at Home, a non-medical service provider helping seniors live independently at home.

Independence at Home increased live-in cases from 26 to an unprecedented 52, assisting individuals to stay at home and age in place. In total, Independence at Home provided more than 144,591 hours of hands-on care to clients in Fiscal Year 2015.

Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network

Continued expansion in Eastern Connecticut, with the opening of new clinics in Colchester and Waterford.

Using a systematic, nationally recognized protocol progression for overall health and wellness improvements after an injury, implemented a bridge clinic to close the gap from insurance completion to the patient’s return to recreational activities.

“Mobility is Medicine” project with Hartford Hospital won the National Association of Rehab Agency and Providers Innovation Award.

HHCRN celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Hartford HealthCare Senior Services

Connecticut Center for Healthy Aging opened a location in Southington, expanding services to seniors.

Arbor Rose/Jerome Home and Mulberry Gardens of Southington and at Marian Heights recognized as Hartford Courant and FoxCT Top Workplaces, based on results of a WorkplaceDynamics employee survey.

Jerome Home, Jefferson House (a department of Hartford Hospital) and Southington Care Center received Five-Star Quality Ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – the highest possible rating for nursing facilities.

Cedar Mountain Commons received Best Practice Award–Managed Residential Services from the Connecticut Assisted Living Association for its art program, “Masterpieces and Mimosas.”

Cedar Mountain had zero deficiencies in its re-licensure survey by the Connecticut Department of Public Health.