Hartford HealthCare's CEO: Visitors, Safety & More

With continued caution, Connecticut is watchfully emerging from this phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even the most hardest-hit areas in Fairfield and Hartford Counties appear to be recovering, and the state is moving forward with its phased-in approach to re-opening.

At Hartford HealthCare, we have been moving deliberately and safely to provide more access to needed services. Importantly, we are also easing visitor restrictions that we put in place at the start of the pandemic.

In this note to you, I’d like to focus on four areas: Visitors, safety, your health and our response.

Visitors

Hartford HealthCare is the first health system in the northeast and metropolitan NY to begin to welcome back visitors for our patients in our hospitals and outpatient areas.

Restricting visitors was one of the very first — and one of the most difficult — decisions we made to stop the spread of the virus and protect our patients, colleagues and communities. Now, with fewer patients hospitalized due to COVID-19, and screening processes well in place for anyone entering our healthcare facilities, we are confident we can safely phase in visitation across our system of care.

To ensure safety, and because each of our facilities has a unique layout, visitor policies may differ. But two goals are the same across Hartford HealthCare: a focus on safety and the desire to enable the emotional support that visitation offers our patients and their loved ones. For more information about visiting hours and safety guidelines, please visit here.

This brief video explains how we are ensuring safer visits:

Safety

Your safety is our highest concern. Everywhere throughout Hartford HealthCare, we’ve taken extra precautions so you will be safe and can feel confident when you, or someone you know, receives care at any of more than 300 locations.

Our colleagues, led by clinical and infection prevention experts, have re-thought every aspect of your experience, so we can provide the utmost protection. This means:

· Safer environments: Rigorous and frequent cleaning for all high-touch surfaces. Areas have been rearranged to allow for physical distancing, and hand sanitizers are readily available.

· Safer scheduling: We’ll save you time by asking you to complete pre-visit questionnaires beforehand in MyChartPLUS, and we’ll ask about your health and any symptoms you might be experiencing.

· Safer care: All Hartford HealthCare colleagues are screened for symptoms and undergo temperature checks every day. Colleagues, patients and visitors are required to wear facemasks.

Safety and healing are why we’re here. Please learn more about our enhanced safety practices at HartfordHealthCare.org/safety.

Your health

Please, do not delay care when you or your loved one needs it.

Every day, my colleagues are distressed to care for patients who put off their treatment out of fear during the pandemic, only to see their conditions worsen. A nurse recently told me of a stroke patient who delayed coming to the emergency department. This patient most likely would have had full functionality had he arrived at the onset of stroke. Now, he may now have a permanent disability. Sadly, this is not an isolated case.

Whether you need urgent care, an emergency department visit, a primary care or specialist appointment, or treatment for any health issue, including behavioral health — we are here, we are safe and we are ready to care for you.

Call your doctor’s office, or call ###a rel="nofollow">855.300.6933 to connect with a Hartford HealthCare Medical Group provider. For virtual visits, click Our response

I’m immensely proud of my Hartford HealthCare colleagues — 30,000 individuals who have stood together on the frontlines and behind the scenes throughout this crisis. Never have I seen such determination, dedication, inspiration and innovation.

Thank you for your support of their amazing efforts. Our community’s outpouring of comments, donations and signs of gratitude make us proud beyond words. We are profoundly moved.

Last week, I was interviewed by the Hartford Courant about our response during these unprecedented times — a set of circumstances for which there is no rulebook. I was humbled and honored to recount our journey. You can read that interview HERE.

In closing

We know this is an unsettling time and I want to assure you that Hartford HealthCare is here for you.

· Our Community Care Center provides a 24-hour hotline that can answer your questions and offer emotional support. Call 833.621.0600.

· Here are other ways to stay safe and informed:
Our Website
Virtual Visit Information
COVID-19 Testing
Symptom Screener
Our Health News Hub

At Hartford HealthCare, we work to earn your trust every day. It is our great privilege to serve you — at this time, and always.

Please stay safe and be well,

Jeffrey A. Flaks
President and Chief Executive Officer

HartfordHealthCare.org