Integration progress at Milford Campus of Bridgeport Hospital highlighted at public forum

MILFORD, CT (March 4, 2020) – Bridgeport Hospital and Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS) leaders briefed members of the public during a March 2 forum on the progress made in integrating the former Milford Hospital into Bridgeport Hospital.

It’s been nearly nine months since the state Office of Healthcare Strategy (OHS) approved the integration last June. Since then, a number of enhancements have been made to what is now the Milford Campus of Bridgeport Hospital, according to Gina Calder, campus administrator and hospital vice president.

In addition to facility improvements to the main lobby and several patient care areas, Calder said the Milford Campus is now connected to the Epic electronic medical record system that links other YNHHS hospitals, ambulatory sites and many physician offices from Westchester, NY, to Westerly, RI.

The former Maternity Unit at the Milford Campus, closed several years ago because of low patient volume and insufficient physician coverage, is being renovated into a “geriatric friendly” surgical unit that will cater to the specific needs of older patients. It is expected to open later this year.

“Nearly $15 million was spent on upgrades in 2019 and another $30 million is planned for 2020,” said Anne Diamond, Bridgeport Hospital president. This includes work at the Milford Campus outpatient site at 831 Post Road.

Joining Anne and Gina in fielding questions from the public were Chris O’Connor, chief operating officer, YNHHS; Vin Petrini, senior vice president, Public Affairs, YNHHS; Pam Scagliarini, chief operating officer, Bridgeport Hospital; and Victor Morris, MD, interim associate chief medical officer, Milford Campus of Bridgeport Hospital.

Periodic public updates on the integration, which is being overseen by an independent monitor, are mandated by OHS for at least three years. The next forum is expected to take place in the early fall.

Bridgeport Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, is a non-profit 501-bed acute care hospital with two campuses (plus 42 beds licensed to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital). Its Bridgeport and Milford Campuses serve patients from across the region. The hospital admits more than 23,000 patients and provides nearly 350,000 outpatient treatments annually. The Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital is the only burn center in the state and one of only 64 verified burn centers in the United States. Bridgeport Hospital is committed to providing safe, compassionate and cost efficient care to its patients and the community. www.bridgeporthospital.org