UConn Health has expressed confidence in its ability to revitalize Waterbury Hospital following a $13 million bid to purchase the facility. The move comes just days before a scheduled sale hearing, as UConn officials plan to invest significantly in the hospital to enhance patient care, increase staffing, and improve technology. Waterbury Hospital has faced financial challenges under the ownership of Prospect Medical Holdings, a private equity firm currently in bankruptcy. The company has accrued a debt of $64.4 million for hospital provider taxes and $22 million for property taxes, raising concerns among state and federal officials about the impact on patient care.
UConn Health’s bid positions it as the initial bidder for Waterbury Hospital, with no other contenders emerging as of late Friday. The organization aims to address longstanding issues at the hospital, which has struggled with inadequate resources and staffing shortages. “We believe, with the right capital and our partnership with Waterbury doctors and nurses, that we can turn this hospital around,” said John Driscoll, Chairman of UConn Health. He emphasized the commitment to investing resources that will enhance the quality of care provided to patients.
In recent years, Waterbury Hospital has faced criticism regarding its operational management. According to Dr. Andy Agwunobi, UConn Health’s CEO and Executive Vice President of Health Affairs, a thorough assessment of Waterbury’s challenges is necessary to understand what improvements are essential. The Connecticut Healthcare Associates union, representing nurses and technicians at the hospital, has raised concerns about chronic understaffing and deteriorating infrastructure, which have hindered quality care delivery.
UConn Health’s proposed investment is backed by new legislation passed by state lawmakers, allowing the health system to establish subsidiaries or joint ventures for hospital acquisition and improvement. This legislation includes a funding allocation of $390 million to support the necessary upgrades across the hospitals UConn plans to acquire. Driscoll noted that investing in Waterbury Hospital is just the starting point. “In the future, we expect to extend to other hospitals including Day Kimball and Bristol,” he stated.
The ongoing challenges at Waterbury Hospital have been highlighted by union representatives, who reported issues such as leaking ceilings and faulty equipment. Driscoll acknowledged that some equipment has been rented, and he criticized the prior ownership for failing to invest adequately in the facility. He cited a cyberattack in 2023 as an additional setback, further complicating operational efforts.
UConn Health has consistently received high ratings for patient safety, recently achieving its tenth consecutive “A” rating from the Leapfrog Group, a national patient safety watchdog. This rating reflects UConn’s commitment to patient care and safety, contrasting sharply with Waterbury Hospital’s previous management.
Agwunobi emphasized the need for collaboration with hospital staff and the community to identify gaps in care. He noted that increasing the number of specialists is a priority and that UConn will assess the hospital’s medical equipment and technology infrastructure to enhance patient interactions and experiences.
Driscoll mentioned that staff have often faced inefficiencies in basic operations due to outdated systems. He expressed a determination to rectify these issues, stating, “We are going to fix it.” He highlighted the importance of electronic medical records in managing patient care effectively, asserting that without the right technology, delivering quality care becomes increasingly difficult.
The path ahead for Waterbury Hospital involves a step-by-step approach, as Agwunobi stated, “We are optimistic we will be successful in turning Waterbury Hospital around.” He acknowledged that achieving this goal will require collaborative efforts and indicated a five-year timeline for visible progress and investment.
The commitment to prioritizing patient care over profits has resonated within the hospital staff. Ed Gadomski, an internal union organizer, expressed hope that the new focus would initiate necessary changes for the betterment of both the facility and its patients.
