March 12, 2013
Hartford – Rep. Rick Lopes (D-New Britain, Newington), Sen. Terry Gerratana (D-Berlin, Farmington, New Britain), Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-New Britain), Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-New Britain) and Rep. Betty Boukus (D-Plainville, New Britain) announce the expected approval of funds for the Hospital for Special Care (HSC) in New Britain to implement an electronic medical records system.
HSC will receive $3.6 million through the Department of Social Services to assist in the acquisition and implementation of an electronic medical records system that will greatly enhance the efficiency of services provided.
“The Hospital for Special Care is doubly important as both a provider of healthcare and one of the city's largest employers. We are cognizant of the large role they play in our community and are grateful the Governor moved to increase their effectiveness,” said Rep. Rick Lopes.
“Hospital for Special Care is an important part of New Britain and central Connecticut,” said Rep. Betty Boukus. “I am very happy the state will come through with this funding.”
“We have seen an enormous technological growth and innovation in the medical industry in recent years, which has simplified a great deal of manual and tedious tasks not only for physicians, but for administrators and staff,” Rep. Sanchez said. “This funding will make a significant impact in HSC, as they prepare to join others in improving patients’ records efficiency and maintaining their great service to all.”
"Everything we can do to help the HSC pays extra dividends for New Britain. They're a major employer here. Strengthening our hospitals strengthens New Britain's job base. The new electronic medical records system should bring higher federal reimbursements to HSC under ‘Obamacare.’ I couldn't be happier about it," Rep. Tercyak said.
“I am delighted that the Hospital for Special care will be receiving these funds and implementing a new electronic medical records system,” said Sen. Gerratana. “One of the critical aspects of the national Affordable Care Act is the adoption of secure electronic records, and it is appropriate that the Hospital for Special Care is at the forefront of this improvement that will cut costs and improve the quality of care.”
Nationally recognized, HSC is the only long-term acute-care hospital in the nation serving adults and children. HSC provides advanced care and rehabilitation in the highly specialized areas of pulmonary care, acquired brain injury, medically-complex pediatrics, neuromuscular disorders and spinal cord injury and recently opened the first comprehensive inpatient heart failure unit in the state. HSC is one of the ten largest, free-standing long-term acute care hospitals in the United States.
The funds are expected to be approved at the March 13 special meeting of the State Bond Commission.