Reports from an independent monitor indicate serious patient care issues at Saint Francis Hospital in Connecticut, including two patient deaths linked to inadequate staffing. The findings were revealed through a review of over 150 pages of reports obtained by the Hartford Courant via a Freedom of Information request. These reports highlight ongoing challenges in meeting state-mandated staffing levels, resulting in lapses in patient care and medication errors.
The Hospital Staffing Law, enacted in 2023 by Gov. Ned Lamont, mandates hospitals to adhere to specific nurse-to-patient ratios and assistant staff allocations. Compliance is essential, with hospitals required to meet staffing plans at least 80% of the time. Violations can lead to fines of $3,500 for the first infraction and $5,000 for subsequent violations.
State Senator Saud Anwar, co-chair of the Public Health Committee, emphasized the significance of enforcement. “If any hospital is not following the law, there should be penalties as stipulated,” he stated. He reiterated the need for transparency and accountability in ensuring patient safety.
Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey, also co-chair of the Public Health Committee, expressed concern for the current situation. “It is my expectation that they make every effort to work with the independent monitor and provide the kind of transparency that allows patients and the public to feel confident they are receiving the care they need,” she said.
As of July 2025, the Department of Public Health (DPH) reported that Saint Francis Hospital had submitted its staffing plan, claiming compliance with the required nurse staffing levels. However, the DPH has not clarified whether it is actively enforcing the staffing law or imposing fines for violations identified by the independent monitor.
The independent monitor’s reports from June to August detail improvements in staffing levels within critical care units, yet highlight persistent deficiencies in other areas. Managers reportedly demonstrated unfamiliarity with the mandated staffing levels. One individual in charge of staffing claimed compliance but could not accurately describe the required ratios.
In response to the findings, Julia Williams, regional director of marketing and communications for Trinity Health of New England, which operates Saint Francis, asserted that the hospital submits prospective staffing plans semi-annually and collaborates with an independent compliance consultant to review staffing levels.
Despite these assurances, numerous nurses have reached out to the Hartford Courant with concerns about staffing shortages affecting patient care. A former nurse noted that many patients requiring one-on-one care did not receive adequate attention due to nursing assistants being reassigned to other patients. Reports cited instances where ratios reached one nursing assistant for every 16 patients, creating significant challenges in providing timely care.
The staffing crisis has worsened, with approximately 30% of hospitalists leaving Trinity Health after being required to transition their employment to a different organization. This mass exodus has raised alarms about patient safety and the hospital’s ability to meet staffing requirements.
The independent monitor’s reports detail specific incidents where staffing levels fell short of the staffing plan. Between March 24 and April 17, the hospital failed to meet defined staffing levels for numerous shifts, including 22 four-hour shifts and 27 eight-hour shifts. Emergency department staffing data was also frequently unavailable for review.
Concerns about patient care have been substantiated by reports of two patient deaths related to medication errors and inadequate monitoring. In one case, a patient in the Emergency Department did not receive a nursing assessment for an entire 24-hour period, leading to the patient being found unresponsive and later passing away after being intubated.
Another incident involved a patient who exhibited critical changes in heart rhythm without appropriate notification to the nursing staff. This led to further complications and eventual death, emphasizing the hospital’s struggle to maintain adequate patient monitoring.
The independent monitor also documented medication-related errors, including significant delays in administering medications and failure to adhere to physician orders. Reports cited a patient who required a CT scan that was not performed in a timely manner, leading to deterioration in their condition.
As the DPH continues to oversee operations at Saint Francis Hospital, the focus remains on ensuring compliance with staffing laws and safeguarding patient care. The independent monitor’s ongoing assessments will be critical in determining the hospital’s ability to improve conditions and meet the expectations set forth by state regulations.
