June 04, 2010 01:21am EST 

The mission to offer the highest quality of health care is nothing new to Connecticut hospitals. In fact, Connecticut hospitals are among the best and most respected in the nation, as their open policy about patient safety and quality initiatives have given them the opportunity to constantly review and improve their procedures. The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) is an organization set to represent these hospitals, as well as other health-related organizations. One of the most respected hospital associations in the nation, the CHA aims “to advance the health of individuals and communities by leading, representing, and serving hospitals and their related healthcare organizations that are accountable to the community and committed to health improvement.”
Founded in 1919, the CHA represents 28 different not-for-profit hospitals and many other healthcare organizations. They achieve their mission through many different ways. For example, the CHA affects public policy by advocating on behalf of the interests of hospitals. They also boast great leadership and innovative services aimed to further community-based healthcare delivery, strengthen ties between organizations with common values, and conduct research and education in the delivery and financing of healthcare services. Ensuring quality, increasing efficiency, containing costs, and enhancing revenue of their members is another way that the CHA strives to reach their goal.
On November 19, 2009, eight Connecticut hospitals went completely smoke-free as part of the Connecticut Hospital Smoke-Free Campus Initiative. The two-year program has resulted thus far in 23 hospitals across the state implementing smoke-free campuses. Hospitals launching a smoke-free campus on November 19 included: Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Danbury Hospital, Hartford Hospital, Norwalk Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Saint Mary’s Hospital, the Hospital of Saint Raphael, and Waterbury Hospital. The “Clear the Air” initiative is just another example of how CHA advances the health of individuals and communities in the state of Connecticut.
The CHA website can be found here, where you can find more information about “Clear the Air” and CHA.