Connecticut
Lawmakers worry Trinity Health staffing change could be ‘disaster'
Trinity Health of New England has informed medical staff at its three hospitals in Connecticut that they now have to work for a third-party company based in California.
Trinity Health told employees they will lose their jobs if they don’t agree within 90 days to work for the company, called Virtuity.
“Trinity Health Of New England has entered into a partnership with Vituity, the nation’s largest physician-owned-and-led medical partnership group, to manage emergency medicine and hospitalist medicine services at our Connecticut acute care hospitals,” the healthcare provider said in a statement.
The decision affects more than 100 medical employees at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury, Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, and Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford.
Lawmakers are concerned the decision could worsen the existing statewide staffing shortage.
“If these things do not work in the right direction, this is going to be a healthcare challenge and a disaster,” said Sen. Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor).
Anwar and Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock) both raised the alarms Tuesday about what happens if medical staff decide not to work for Virtuity.
“Could there be disruptions to patient care in a transfer if some of the doctors do not go over to this new group?” Gordon asked.
Both lawmakers are doctors. Anwar is chairman of the legislature’s Public Health Committee, while Gordon is also a member.
Trinity Health said it’s had a 15-year partnership with Vituity, which describes itself as a physician-owned company.
“This collaboration prioritizes physician engagement, ensures smooth transitions, and upholds exceptional patient outcomes,” Virtuity said in a statement.
Neither Trinity Health nor Vituity answered several questions, including whether the staff were guaranteed to receive the same salary and benefits.
They also would not say if Trinity Health would offer similar positions elsewhere for any workers who don’t want to work for Vituity, or if Vituity is committed to maintaining staffing levels if employees choose to leave.
The deal does not require state approval but Anwar and Gordon both said they’re trying to convince Trinity Health to back out of the deal.
“This is just more of what we see with regards to these types of arrangements, the business-type of decisions that get made,” Gordon said.
Trinity Health would need approval from the state’s Office of Health Strategy if it wanted to cut or eliminate services due to declining staff, though.
Lawmakers said they are trying to make major reforms to Connecticut’s healthcare system this session.
The news of Trinity Health’s decision comes on the heels of Prospect Medical Holdings’ decision to file for bankruptcy over the weekend.
Prospect Medical, a California-based private equity firm, owns Waterbury Hospital, Manchester Memorial Hospital, and Rockville General Hospital.
Both Gordon and Anwar said they favor legislation that keeps private equity firms like Prospect from buying hospitals in the future.
“How can we make sure that not only the people are healthy, but the healthcare systems are healthy?” Anwar said.
They also plan to consider ways to recruit more people into the medical field. And they want additional protections to safeguard patient care whenever hospitals or other healthcare providers cut staff.
Connecticut
HBO casting in CT for neighbor dispute docuseries
A hit HBO documentary series is looking to Connecticut for stories to feature in its second season.
The show “Neighbors” follows on-going neighbor disputes across the country. The goal of the show is to help neighbors reach a resolution, according to the show’s casting director and executive producer Harleigh Shaw.
“Each story we explore, we spend extensive time with neighbors on both sides to really understand the full context beyond the disputes,” Shaw said.
Producers wanted to share stories in the second season that were based in states that weren’t featured earlier this year in the first season, including Connecticut, Shaw said.
“A lot of the things that we’re most interested in are things that may seem small, but become a bigger issue between the neighbors,” Shaw said. “Anything from disagreements over gardening practices to property lines to noise to dock issues, if it’s a waterfront property. A whole myriad of things. We’re really open to anything.”
However, the show does avoid situations that are violent or dangerous.
Residents from Connecticut looking to participate should be open to third party conflict resolution, according to Shaw.
“Some of the ways that we did that were through mediation,” Shaw said. “That’s a huge one. But there are other things in terms of resources we’d be open to help the neighbors to like help work through the issues.”
Filming will take place throughout the summer and is expected to be completed by the end of September.
The show’s production team is located in New York City and Los Angeles.
“Connecticut has always been really interesting because it’s just a short trip away, and we’re just curious to explore the types of neighbor dynamics that are going on there,” Shaw said.
Connecticut residents who are interested in being on “Neighbors,” can apply at helloneighbortv.com and are encouraged to submit information about themselves as well as their neighbor dispute.
“The neighbor disputes are the entry point for this show, but we’re always also just very interested in inspiring amazing people doing cool stuff,” Shaw said.
“Neighbors” premiered in February and was quickly renewed. The show averages about 3 million viewers per episode.
The show features stories that make viewers laugh and cringe, according to HBO Programming’s Executive Vice President Nina Rosenstein.
“At a time when even the smallest disagreements can spiral out of control, ‘Neighbors’ feels both hilariously absurd and surprisingly relatable,” Rosenstein said. “What makes the show special isn’t just the stories and people they find, but the empathy and humanity they bring to each episode.”
Connecticut
‘Serious’ crash closes Sugar Hollow Road in Danbury
DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Danbury drivers can expect hours-long closures on Sugar Hollow Road early Monday morning after a “serious” crash, according to local police.
Police said the morning crash has caused closures in both directions at the Ridgefield Line (Bennetts Farm Road) and at Miry Brook Road.
The road is expected to close for approximately three to four hours, police said.
Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes, including George Washington Highway and Route 53.
There are no words on injuries.
Additional information was not immediately available.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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Watch News 8 on WTNH.com or the free WTNH News 8 streaming app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and select Samsung Smart TVs.
Connecticut
Cyclosporiasis outbreak prompts food safety concerns in Connecticut
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WFSB) – People like Dena Pizzoferrato are changing what they put in their grocery carts after hearing about a cyclosporiasis outbreak.
“I’m kind of a little nervous so I’m looking to see what I buy right now,” Pizzoferrato said. “Today I didn’t buy any lettuce. I said I’m OK for now.”
Doctors say the illness is spread through parasites that make their way onto fresh produce. There have been 23 reported cases in Connecticut since May, but the CDC says the number is likely higher. Across the country, more than 840 cases and 86 hospitalizations have been reported in 31 states.
Symptoms include diarrhea and nausea that can last days to weeks. Doctors have not identified a source for the outbreak.
Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare, said a range of produce could be contaminated.
“Typical things you would think are vegetables or fruits. In the past, it’s been raspberries, basil, cilantro. You may find it in lettuces, bagged salads. So it’s a variety of things that can be contaminated, but they have not found it at this time,” said Wu.
Wu said residents should take precautions with their produce. “Take precautions with your fruit and your produce. We give the same advice when people go overseas that you should always peel something. You should always boil something,” he said.
Doctors also recommend washing produce thoroughly if boiling is not an option, and washing hands regularly.
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