Health Resource Capacity Assessment for Putnam, Connecticut, May 2001

Putnam Description: Healthcare Infrastructure

Putnam has a strong healthcare infrastructure. The region's community hospital, Day Kimball Hospital, is located in Putnam. Several key stakeholders identified the hospital as the greatest health care asset in Putnam, and its continued stability as a top priority. The hospital is not only the largest provider of health care for Putnam residents, but also a major employer. The hospital is part of the Health Network of New England, which also includes the Center for Healthy Aging, home care and homemaker services, hospice services, and associated physician practices, all with offices in Putnam. The hospital supports a vigorous Wellness Program, which is very active in public health and health education activities for the region. The Wellness Program is supported in part by local governments in the region.

In 1999, Day Kimball Hospital had 72 staffed beds and employed 671 full time equivalents. Average occupancy rose from 55.6% of staffed beds in 1995 to 79.2% in 1999. Tertiary care is provided through an affiliation with the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center. While operating margins have declined in recent years, Day Kimball is financially stable. Approximately 50% of the hospital's revenue comes from public payers (Medicaid and Medicare); Day Kimball benefits from designation as a rural hospital. In recent years the hospital has implemented several successful cost reduction initiatives to improve efficiency. The hospital is currently conducting a strategic planning process.

Day Kimball's information systems are advanced, facilitating physician communication with the hospital and progress in developing electronic medical records. Physicians noted that communications within the hospital and associated networks work efficiently and are not a barrier to care.

Day Kimball enjoys considerable community support and is held in very high regard for the quality of care provided. The community responds energetically to hospital fundraising appeals. In turn, the hospital is very responsive to community needs. After requests for expanded hours at the Pediatrics Center, the hospital responded by staying open on evenings and weekends for appointments. In response to an increase in Hepatitis C rates in the region, the hospital developed a support group for sufferers. In response to cuts to Healthy Start, a critical outreach program to at-risk pregnant women and families, the hospital subsidized the program to ensure no reduction in services. ¹⁷

Putnam is also part of the Community Health Coordinating Council, an advisory committee organized by the local health department, the Northeast District Department of Health, with a diverse membership representing key health, social and provider organizations in the region.

Footnotes

17. Physicians' focus group, interviews, "The Health of Connecticut's Hospitals", Office of Health Care Access, 1/16/01, Day Kimball Hospital, and the Bristol Group.