For two years in a row, all seven hospitals belonging to Hartford HealthCare have clinched ‘A’ ratings for safety from The Leapfrog Group, an established hospital watchdog organization in the United States. This esteemed recognition underscores the consistent dedication of these hospitals to uphold the highest safety marks in patient care across Connecticut.
CEO and President of Hartford HealthCare, Jeffrey A. Flaks, emphasizes this success as a reflection of safe care that patients can anticipate regionally. The Leapfrog Group’s safety ratings are trusted indices for patients, with hospitals receiving D or F grades tied to a 92% escalated risk of preventable death. Alongside this acclaim, Hartford HealthCare’s ambulatory surgery centers located in Cheshire and Wilton were announced as ‘Top ASCs,’ acknowledged for their remarkable adherence to patient safety and quality standards.
Furthermore, Hartford Hospital earned the title of a ‘Top Teaching Hospital,’ a prestige gifted to only 75 hospitals across the United States in 2023. Hartford HealthCare owes its success to effective leadership, a safety-centered culture, and a robust resolve for continual growth. The healthcare system has witnessed a notable decline in critical safety incidents by 39% and hospital-acquired infections by 40% since 2019. Stephanie Calcasola, Vice President of Quality and Safety, recognizes safety not merely as a priority but as an inseparable part of their culture at Hartford HealthCare.
Among their proactive measures are consistent efforts to limit human error, avert infections, and equip their team members to voice safety issues. The health system has adopted strategies like bedside checklists for prompt infection detection, standardized techniques for infection prevention, and the utilization of thermal technology as a preventive measure against pressure ulcers. Further, the establishment of an antibiotic stewardship program has been successful in curbing excessive prescription, hence minimizing the threat of harmful infections such as C.diff and MRSA.