Hartford HealthCare Honored with 2025 AHA Quest for Quality Prize
Hartford HealthCare Honored with 2025 AHA Quest for Quality Prize
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has officially announced that Hartford HealthCare, located in Hartford, Connecticut, will receive the prestigious 2025 AHA Quest for Quality Prize. This esteemed award is given annually to organizations that display remarkable leadership and innovation in enhancing healthcare quality and community health.
A Vision for Excellence
Hartford HealthCare's core philosophy, “the best at getting better,” reflects its unwavering commitment to excellence. This vision is supported through continuous improvement across all facilities under its umbrella. Jeffrey Flaks, the system's President and CEO, emphasizes that the organization strives not just to be the best but to constantly improve. The health care system, comprising seven hospitals, went from a mediocre safety record to achieving an “A” safety rating from the Leapfrog Group within five years. Flaks notes, “We are obsessed with continuous improvement, and our team of 45,000 is dedicated to learning and adopting new practices.”
Commitment to Patient Safety
A notable highlight of Hartford HealthCare's achievements is its impressive 70% reduction in hospital-acquired infections from 2015 to 2023. By fiscal year 2023, the organization achieved a seriously low safety event rate of 0.21 per 10,000 adjusted patient days. Under the direction of key leaders, including Chief Quality Officer Stephanie Calcasola and Chief Clinical Officer Ajay Kumar, the healthcare system has embraced a culture change to prioritize safety in every aspect of care delivery.
The organization has made significant strides in its recruitment process as well, integrating questions about safety behaviors and emotional intelligence into candidate interviews. This guarantees alignment with Hartford HealthCare's safety culture from the outset. Additionally, all staff members receive training focused on high-reliability organizations, ensuring that every individual contributes positively to patient safety.
Teamwork and Support
A prominent feature in Hartford Hospital’s main lobby reads, “You Are Not Alone,” which symbolizes the supportive environment offered to patients and staff alike. Flaks notes that this message reflects the teamwork and unity felt across disciplines in the institution. During some of the most challenging moments in life, Hartford HealthCare ensures no one has to face them alone.
Innovations in Education and Training
The organization is home to the Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation (CESI), one of the most comprehensive medical simulation centers in the U.S., accommodating over 21,000 trainees annually. The facility serves dual purposes — as a training hub and as a testing ground for innovative healthcare practices. The application of advanced simulation techniques has directly impacted areas like catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), showcasing how Hartford HealthCare employs real-time training to improve patient outcomes.
Moreover, through Clinical Care Redesign (CCR), Hartford HealthCare reviews quality and cost data together, identifying opportunities for improved care while reducing unnecessary expenses. This initiative has already seen the system eliminate close to $65 million in waste.
Virtual Healthcare Advancements
In line with modern healthcare trends, Hartford HealthCare has also developed the artificial intelligence-enhanced HHC 24/7 app, enabling patients to access primary care consultations around the clock. This initiative has allowed them to engage with over 100 patients daily, ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible at any time.
Acknowledgments and Accolades
Hartford HealthCare has received numerous accolades for its commitment to quality and safety, including repeatedly earning “A” grades from the Leapfrog Group for all of its hospitals. Additionally, it stands out as the sole health system in New England to achieve this remarkable standard across its facilities. With recognition from respected industry organizations for its safety and clinical excellence, Hartford HealthCare continues to lead in patient care innovation.
In summary, Hartford HealthCare’s recent recognition as the 2025 AHA Quest for Quality Prize recipient is not just a testament to its achievements but also a motivation to continue its mission of transforming healthcare and improving the lives of patients across Connecticut and beyond.