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Sponsored by: Saint Francis Hospital Trinity Health
June 24, 2021

Saint Francis Hospital Provides Ultimate Value in High-Quality Health Care

Thomas Burke, BPharm, MBA President of Saint Francis Hospital

 Q&A with Saint Francis Hospital President Thomas Burke

Where you get your healthcare matters. Patients have more choices than ever as they return to annual exams, delayed procedures, and preventative care following the coronavirus pandemic. With this power to research and make informed decisions on who they choose to trust for care, Saint Francis Hospital is rising to the occasion, continuing to provide one of the safest, most innovative, and value-driven hospitals not only in our region, but in the nation. In a conversation with the President of Saint Francis Hospital, Thomas Burke, BPharm, M.B.A, we discuss why they’re committed to providing the best value for the patient with high quality care.

Q:What does it mean when we talk about value in health care?

A: Simply put, value in healthcare is the best outcome, with the best experience, at the most reasonable cost. Patients are always our top priority. Our daily work supports our larger Mission to improve the lives of our patients, and further, our communities. We believe that every patient who comes to Saint Francis, no matter the circumstance, deserves optimal care, in a safe environment, at a reasonable cost.

Q: Why is value so important?

A: In today’s environment, more than ever, our community has a choice. They’re taking the time to do the research and make informed decisions. Many patients are willing to travel a long way to Saint Francis, and we provide them with top specialists and state of the art technology to not only meet, but exceed their needs. Our patients receive the best-of-the-best in care and are being treated in the safest
environment by the highest quality medical professionals.

Q: How does Saint Francis measure value?

A: At Saint Francis, we are hyper-focused on delivering the safest, highest quality care along with the best patient experience. We continue to achieve these goals while also keeping costs lower than many other health care systems in the region. Since we have top providers working with top-of-the-line technology, we can shorten recovery times, advance treatment, and set the bar for the future of healthcare. By keeping the patient’s needs at the forefront of our decision-making process we can minimize emergency room wait times, and offer next-day appointments at our physician’s offices. For example, our Comprehensive Women’s Health Center offers same-day mammogram results, including same-day follow-up screenings or a consultation with a breast surgeon if needed. That helps drastically reduce the time a patient may be at home anxiously awaiting results or waiting to speak to a surgeon, and puts them face to face with a doctor right away. We are confident that with our consistent top safety ratings and overwhelming list of awards and recognitions, Saint Francis is the right choice for those looking for the best value in healthcare.

Q: What awards and recognitions has Saint Francis achieved?

A: Most recently, Saint Francis was named an IBM/Watson Health 100 Top Hospital, and we were among the Top 15 Major Teaching Hospitals in the United States. This was the ninth time we have received this honor, and we were the only hospital in Connecticut to be named to this list. Saint Francis also achieved an ‘A’ Safety Rating by The Leapfrog Group this spring, making it the only hospital in the state to earn six consecutive ‘A’ ratings. The grade is based on a hospital’s performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care. Earning an ‘A’ in nine of the last ten grading cycles is a true testament to the focus our physicians, nurses, providers, and staff have on patient safety. We were also recently named to Newsweek’s list of World’s Best Hospitals, which is a recognition for hospitals that stand out for consistent excellence, including distinguished physicians, topnotch nursing care, and state- of-the-art technology. Saint Francis also has a growing list of recognitions from national organizations including the U.S. News & World Report, Consumer Reports, the American Heart Association, the American College of Surgeons, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and others. There’s a palpable sense of pride in the hospital right now, especially after the challenges of this past year. While all these awards are another source of pride, the biggest is when you find yourself the ultimate choice in healthcare value for your family. We know that after considering all your choices, your search will end with us.