Eastern Connecticut State University and Hartford HealthCare on Wednesday launched a new hospital-based nursing simulation lab inside Windham Hospital, aiming to bolster the region’s healthcare workforce amid a statewide nursing shortage.
Congressional approval of an extension for the federal Medicare Dependent Hospital Program (MDH) last week will result in about $3.8 million more in annual reimbursements for Windham Hospital, the only MDH hospital in Connecticut, according to an announcement this week from U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney and Hartford HealthCare, Windham's parent.
Tucked away in a Newington administrative building, 10 nurses and other staff from Hartford HealthCare are working the phones, coordinating patient transfers to approximately 1,800 inpatient beds across Connecticut.
The Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging at Windham Hospital celebrated the official opening last week of new services at the Willimantic hospital.
Hartford HealthCare announced two leadership changes to its eastern region, which includes Backus Hospital and Windham Hospital. Its president has been promoted to a system-wide role.
Hartford health insurer Aetna said that it will offer a co-branded accountable care plan next year with Hartford Healthcare and the seven-hospital Value Care Alliance.