Hospital of Special Care New Britain Brightens Patient Lives

The Hospital of Special Care (HSC), which began in 1941 as The New Britain Memorial Hospital for chronically ill patients, has developed into a modern bright and cheery acute facility where patients get the newest and most promising procedures in the country.

"The hospital started with the intention of treating folks with tuberculosis and was opened by the nuns of the Mary of Immaculate Conception," said Lynn Ricci, senior vice president of the Hospital for Special Care. "We are a chronic disease hospital that meets the community's needs for the most challenging medical conditions."

In the past residents often referred to the hospital on Corbin Ave as "the scary place". But, one trip to the hospital these days quickly changes that perception.

"Our vision has been to create a place where people can heal in a bright and home-like friendly place," said Ricci.

In fact, when you walk the halls of the hospital it appears more like a hotel, than a hospital with bright windows and modern architecture.

In the past 69 years, the hospital has become one of the most specialized and top acute care hospitals in the region for patients who need continued care and rehabilitation. It is nationally renowned for its care for pulmonary disease, acquired brain injury disorders, complex pediatrics, neuro-muscular disease and spinal cord disorders.
There are over 200 inpatient beds and the hospital operates a 28-bed satellite service to the greater Hartford area.

One of the reasons for the success of the hospital is that all physicians are employed by the hospital.

"When you bring physicians into your umbrella they focus on the special care and not the business aspect," said Ricci. "We have at least one physician in the hospital 24 hours a day. We are not required to, but we think it is important."

Pulmonary Care

The Hospital for Special Care is the world's largest provider of comprehensive respiratory care services.

There are three units including Close Observation Unit (COU), the Laurie Coleman Puglisi Respiratory Care Unit and the Respiratory Step-Down Unit.

Ricci said this unit is the second largest in the country with 100 people in the section.

The COU is highly regarded in the medical community as a regional weaning center for its proven success rates, which are consistently well above the national average, according to Susan Gordon Gates, director of corporate communications.

A team of expert physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, pharmacists, psychologists, physical therapists, case managers, social workers and pastoral care make up the interdisciplinary team.

Spinal Cord System of Care

The Hospital of Special Care treats all kinds of spinal cord injuries, from those people on ventilators, to pain management to therapy.

According to Gates, the goal of the rehabilitation is to improve physical function and mobility so that patients can regain their independence and return to the community.

Some of the specialized services of the unit include neuromuscular electrical stimulation, body weight supported treadmill training, aquatic rehabilitation, spasticity management, pressure mapping and wound care management.

HSC is the only Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation accredited facility in the state. It is led by Dr. Subramani Seetharama, medical director.

Acquired Brain Injury Programs

Those who have suffered traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries need continued care in order to regain independence, functional status and community reintegration.

"We work to get people with brain injuries back into the community," said Ricci. "This unit was created in the 1990s. Most patients come here after one year of their injury. No one else in the state provides this level of care."

Patients go through interdisciplinary therapies such as physical speech, recreation and occupational seven days a week. Once discharged patients still receive outpatient therapy, home services, sub-acute care, vocational rehabilitation and support groups.

Medically Complex Pediatrics

The pediatric program provides care to children in need of rehabilitation following an accident, surgery or serious illness. Each child has a program tailored specifically for their needs.
"Some conditions may include congenital developmental birth conditions," said Ricci. "We have 30 beds. We provide levels of care unavailable elsewhere."

The HSC is affiliated with both the Connecticut Children's Medical Center and the Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. The team works directly with each child to set the goal of going home.

"We do not duplicate what other hospitals do," said Ricci. "We believe we make other hospitals better through a great partnership with them."

Neuro-Muscular Disease

This program treats patients with diseases such as Lou Gehrig's disease. It is a nationally certified program that treats all the different types of muscular dystrophy.

"There are four physicians in the state that work in neuro-muscular disease and three of them work for our hospital," said Ricci.

The clinic has plans for expansion soon and will open a new center to become the largest in the region for those with the disease.

Outpatient Services

There are various outpatient services including psychology and neurophysiology services and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

Psychology rehabilitation relates to issues of psychological functioning, cognitive functioning and adjustment to traumatic injury or impairment, development of coping skills, family adjustment, community reintegration, sexuality, substance abuse and pain. Support groups are available.

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs include endurance exercise groups, individual therapy sessions, breathing retraining, stress management, nutrition, medications, psychological issues, advanced directives, anatomy and physiology lung disease, bronchial hygiene and oxygen safety.

According to the HSC, those involved in pulmonary programs may see a 37 percent improvement in walking distance; 88 percent fewer visits to doctors or hospitals; 42 percent reduction in shortness of breath; and 57 percent of patients remain cigarette smoke-free.

Community Services

The HSC also houses a number of programs the community can use to help their level of health care.

The Aquatic Rehabilitation & Fitness Center offers aquatic therapy with water about 92 degree Fahrenheit, a fitness pool at 84 degrees Fahrenheit, a strength and fitness training center for those who need cardiovascular exercises and strength training. The areas, including the pool, allow for wheelchair access with a swim lift, ramp and water wheelchairs. Swim lessons are available as is swim toning and aquatic toning classes.

The HSC also offers adaptive sports and fitness programs such as Manes & Motions, a therapeutic riding center which allows individuals living with disabilities a chance to ride horses. The mission of Manes & Motions is to provide benefits in the areas of therapy, education, sports and recreation through the use of equine-assisted activities. The benefits of therapeutic riding are physical, sensory, emotional, cognitive and social.

Other programs include a wheelchair soccer team, wheelchair basketball, a WAVE swim team, sports camps and a skier's unlimited program.

Another way in which the hospital helps those heal is through the "Joy of Art" program.

The program allows artists to submit work to be on display of the hospital walls. A portion of the sales go to hospital programs.

It is believed that exposing patients to the arts can improve their state of mind, enhance and speed up the healing process.

The HSC is always growing and expanding programs to fill the needs of the community as well as finding new methods to help improve the quality of life of patients.

In a letter from HSC Presidents David Crandall and John J. Votto said, "The challenges faced by healthcare have been in the news more this past year than ever before; these are indeed extraordinary times. Although healthcare has seen constant changes, the issues we face are complex and often daunting.

As Hospital for Special Care faces these uncertain challenges, we will remain committed to providing the highest level of care with a focus on resource management. We are proud of our outcomes, as well as our ability to effectively provide our patients complex medical needs and the specialized care they require."