Apr 10 Update from CEO Lynn Ricci Regarding COVID-19/Coronavirus
April 13, 2020
An Update from CEO Lynn Ricci Regarding COVID-19/Coronavirus
The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout Connecticut and the impending surge predicted in the weeks ahead have required significant changes in course to protect our patients, employees and community as we continue to fulfill our mission.
Rebuilding Lives: Post-Acute Care for Patients with COVID-19
Today we admitted our first patient recovering from COVID-19. Diagnostically this patient, and others soon to follow, looks just like any other patient we would welcome into our care. The only difference is their COVID-19 status.
We have designated an enclosed unit specifically designed to meet the needs of these patients and assembled a multidisciplinary team to provide the highly specialized pulmonary care and rehabilitation they need to recover.
- We have prepared for this. These patients need us. We will serve these patients with the same pursuit of excellence, caring and integrity we bring to all we do.
- We are committed to supporting our acute care peers in maximizing their bed availability and ensuring a seamless transition process.
Bending the Curve: The Cost of Slowing Community Spread
On Monday, we made the extremely difficult decision to suspend face to face outpatient visits. Where possible we have shifted patients to our growing telemedicine practice. Critical medical services for patients with needs that cannot be met in other ways will continue at physician discretion.
- Approximately 80 employees have been impacted by suspension of community-based programs, face to face outpatient services, volunteer services and fundraising events.
- Our labor pool has trained and redeployed more than 50 staff to ensure an adequate workforce.
- The loss of service and fundraising revenue will exceed $1 million per month.
These changes represent a profound shift for our patients and for all of us. We firmly believe that we have made the right decisions, the responsible decisions, for these unprecedented times.
Acting Boldly to Support the Greater Good
We know we must continue to make difficult decisions to ensure we can remain fiscally sound to weather the storms ahead. We also know we need to act boldly to support the greater good. On Friday, we sent more than six ventilators to our colleagues at Hartford Hospital, answering their request for assistance immediately. We sent five more ventilators to Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center on Wednesday, and we have also dispatched gowns to a local nursing home in need.
So many in our community have come together (with appropriate social distancing) for the greater good as well. Donations of surgical masks, homemade facemasks, and food to fuel our workforce help keep our teams going and we are incredibly grateful to State Senator Gennaro Bizzarro, Adina’s Pizza, our local CVS and Sewing Face Masks Farmington Valley, CT and so many others for rebuilding lives with us this week.
We’re rebuilding lives and we do it best when we do it together.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.
