🔒Amid staffing shortage, Trinity Health Of NE seeks to close Enfield cardiac/pulmonary rehab facility

Trinity Health Of New England Inc., which owns and operates St. Francis Hospital and four others in Connecticut, has filed an application with the state to determine whether it needs permission to close its outpatient cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services facility in Enfield. The determination request about the facility, located at 15 Palomba Drive, was filed Sept. 8 with the state Office of Health Strategy (OHS), which oversees and rules on certificate of need (CON) applications. Under state regulations, a CON is required before hospitals and other healthcare providers can make major changes, which can include establishing certain new healthcare facilities, transferring ownership, or terminating services. In a statement emailed by a spokesperson, THONE states that, “Due to declining volumes that have resulted from shifting care models and referral pattern changes, Trinity Health Of New England is closing the Johnson Memorial Hospital Outpatient Cardiac Rehab and Wellness Program in Enfield, effective September 30.” It continues, “After that date, “patients requiring this service will be offered the opportunity to participate in the Cardiac Rehab and Wellness Program at Saint Francis Hospital. The statement concludes by noting that it THONE has filed a CON determination letter with OHS “about this transition and the possible need to apply” for a CON. In a proposal description included with its CON determination application, THONE states that it is seeking to close the facility due to “limited provider resources.” The Enfield facility provides cardiac and pulmonary physical rehabilitation and education, support, lifestyle coaching and nutrition counseling services. The health system states it is experiencing workforce challenges, with limited provider capacity and access in cardiac rehab services. “Over the past six months the department has experienced retirements, voluntary resignations and medical leave,” the application states. “The loss of the staff has constrained the department’s ability to sustain safe and appropriate care of rehabilitation patients.” In addition to the workforce issues, the facility also has seen reduced demand over the past two years, THONE states. “Fiscal 2023 to 2024, cardiac rehab decreased 8%, 341 patient visits from prior year,” it states. “Fiscal 2024 to 2025 cardiac rehab decreased 18%, 712 visits from prior year.” The application notes that THONE provides cardiac and pulmonary rehab services at locations in Hartford and Waterbury, and will continue to provide those services “in our primary cardiology markets located at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford and St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury." The organization adds that it also has identified “preferred community partners to ensure our patients are provided appropriate care for cardiac and pulmonary needs.” Preferred community partners are healthcare facilities not owned by THONE. The health system notes that THONE Medical Group providers “are committed to transitioning patients to identified community resources such as Rockville Cardiac Rehabilitation, Manchester Memorial Hospital and Baystate Health on a patient-by-patient basis.” It concludes by stating that, even while closing the Enfield facility, the proposal “will provide for appropriate coverage and continuity of care for the THONE patient population.” State health regulators have 30 days from receipt of the application to issue a ruling. In July, OHS ruled that THONE Medical Group does not need a CON to close two behavioral health service facilities in Hartford.