2002 Annual Report - Yale-New Haven Hospital

DisciplineIn its role as an academic medical center hospital, YNHH also focused onmedical education and advancing medical treatment. YNHH sponsored 28physician residency training programs and co-sponsored, with the YaleSchool of Medicine, about 40 additional subspecialty residency/fellowshipprograms. This year, the national association that oversees the residencyprograms set new national residency guidelines effective in 2004. YNHHled by example in the drive to improve residents’ education and work hoursby revamping its surgical residency program, and investing in other healthprofessionals to ease the burden on the new physicians-in-training.The health care environment remained as challenging as ever, with anincreased demand for services coupled with flat or declining reimbursement,escalating costs and increased expectations by consumers, employers andphysicians. However, Yale-New Haven maintained its position as the state’smarket leader, this year increasing inpatient discharges by 3percent. Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital (YNHCH) also ledConnecticut in pediatric inpatient cases, treating more thanone-quarter of all hospitalized children in the state.YNHH was able to handle the increased number ofpatients with existing beds and staff by managing the use ofbeds and decreasing the length of stay. The decrease had thesame effect as a gain of 30 additional beds for the Hospital —the equivalent of an entire patient care unit. In addition, emergencyand outpatient visits were also higher than last year.Along with handling more patients, the Hospital concentratedon improving patient, employee and physician satisfactionand maintaining a positive, attractive employment environment.As a result of these combined efforts, YNHH produced an operating gain ofabout 3 percent, despite the challenges of the health care environment, permittingthe Hospital to continue to invest in upgrading and introducing newpatient programs, technology and facilities.LeadershipThe Hospital’s Board of Trustees, clinical leadership and senior managementteam continued to play critical roles in the organization’s clinical, financialand operating performance, as well as the quality and enhancement ofpatient care. In October, 2001, Marvin K. Lender was re-elected as chairmanof the Board of Trustees, and new trustees included Robert L. Culver, MarionRussell and Peyton R. Patterson.Clinical leadership was re-energized in several areas. Charles J.Lockwood, M.D., was named chief and chair of obstetrics and gynecology.Peter M. Glazer, M.D., Ph.D., was named chief and chair of therapeuticradiology. Margaret K. Hostetter, M.D., was appointed chief and chair ofpediatrics. Alan E. Kazdin, Ph.D., was named the new director of childpsychiatric services at YNHH, and Joseph L. Woolston, M.D., was namedacting chief of child psychiatry.Support from the SystemThe Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS) helped the Hospital achievestrong performance by supporting new clinical programs and the effectiveuse of resources. The System includes delivery networks inBridgeport, Greenwich and New Haven, and affiliate WesterlyHospital in Rhode Island. YNHHS is dedicated to improving thequality and scope of health care services by coordinating andcollaborating on patient safety, clinical and service quality andprogram development, as well as medical education through itsrelationship with the Yale School of Medicine. The System hassuccessfully fulfilled its original goals by increasingly sharingideas and best practices, and by coordinating and collaboratingon innovative initiatives. It has also demonstrated that thebenefits of a system are extensive, continuous and increasewith time. YNHHS has helped its members improve their operatingperformance by increasing revenue, enhancing managedcare contracting, reducing expenses by creating economies of scale, improvingefficiency, increasing information technology, developing managementand clinical leadership, and other tangible benefits. As a result, Yale-NewHaven, Bridgeport and Greenwich Hospitals achieved stronger, more sustainableresults than would have been possible as independent institutions.YNHHS also led preparation for the implementation of the HealthInsurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The System took aleadership role in responding to the events of September 11 by creating aSystem-level office of emergency preparedness to coordinate efforts toprepare and respond to terrorism incidents.YNHH’s strong performance during the past year reflects its unwaveringdedication to its mission and vision, the continued support of its Board ofTrustees, and the dedication, commitment and quality of its medical staff,management team and employees. These factors ensure that Yale-New HavenHospital will continue to be among the premier academic medical centerhospitals in the nation.16