CT hospitals losing ground on social responsibility

Eight Connecticut hospitals received A grades this year for social responsibility from the Lown Institute, down from twelve last year. No Connecticut hospitals were in Lown’s or US News’ top 20 hospitals in the US. Griffin Hospital ranked #157 in Lown’s composite ranking this year among 3606 US hospitals, the best in Connecticut. Last year William Backus Hospital ranked best among Connecticut hospitals. The tool is intended to help community residents improve their hospital’s service to the community.

Equity was the biggest challenge for Connecticut hospitals. Lown’s equity score includes pay equity between executives and healthcare workers, community benefits, and how well the hospital serves people of color, people with lower incomes, and lower education in the community. Value measures avoiding use of low-value care and cost efficiency. The outcomes score reflects clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and patient safety.

Pointing to the best opportunities for improvement, fourteen Connecticut hospitals received D grades on individual sub-areas, up from eleven. Five hospitals received two D grades, also up from last year. Both Stamford and Greenwich received D grades for the larger Equity category. Six Connecticut hospitals earned D grades for high executive compensation compared to healthcare workers.