The William W Backus Hospital

What it reported doing in 2024

Cancer: During FY25, Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute expanded and refined community-focused cancer support services addressing priority community health needs identified through the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), including behavioral health, social determinants of health, nutrition, financial toxicity, caregiver support, and access to specialty supportive care.In FY25, services reached thousands of patients through psychosocial counseling, social work navigation, nutrition care, financial counseling, and peer support programs. Expanded staffing and virtual modalities improved access, while ongoing evaluation ensured alignment with identified community health needs.Psycho-oncology: Quality of Life Program (QOL): CHNA alignment: Behavioral health access, emotional support, continuity of care*1367 completed appointmentsHighlight: QOL services ensured continued access to evidence-based psychosocial oncology care, particularly for patients facing transportation, geographic, or work-related barriers.Expanded access integrating a post-doc fellow (.4FTE), offering non-billable services through training program to reduce barriers. Provided clinical supervision for psycho-oncology to support Ph.D work. Services continue to reach geographically dispersed patients and lower-barrier populations through telehealth.Oncology Social Work: CHNA alignment: Social determinants of health, financial distress, care coordinationSocial workers addressed housing insecurity, transportation barriers, employment loss, caregiver strain, and financial distress, supporting equitable cancer care access across regions.* 2,216 referralsTotal Referral Comparison (Selected Regions)Region FY24 FY25 % ChangeHartford 1,013 779 -23%Central & NW 355 415 +17%HOCC/CHH 251 489 +95%East 311 421 +35%SVMC 352 112 -68%Overall, FY25 showed better regional alignment of services to community need, particularly in underserved and growing regions.Highlights: Created referral order to streamline access to services across the system. Increased staffing by 1 FTE (CENTRAL).Oncology Registered Dietitian Services: CHNA alignment: Nutrition insecurity, treatment tolerance, chronic disease managementNutrition services supported treatment adherence, symptom management, and food security particularly for patients experiencing financial or functional vulnerability.* 4,336 patient encountersTotal Patient Volume (Assessments + Follow-ups)Site FY24 FY25 ChangeMidstate Medical Center 1,281 1,084 -197Hartford Hospital 1,405 1,434 +29The Hospital of Central CT 912 969 +57Backus Hospital 401 621 +220Charlotte Hospital 0 228 +228 Highlight: Increased staffing by 1.2FTEs (1 FF& .2 HTFD)Backus and Charlotte hospitals both showed substantial growth, addressing prior regional gaps. Hartford Hospital volume growth reflects FTE expansion from 0.6 0.8.Financial Counseling/Coordination: CHNA alignment: Financial hardship, insurance access, health equityFinancial counseling mitigated cancer-related financial distress and supported patient navigation through insurance, assistance programs, and care affordability.FY25 Status:* Financial counseling services expanded in Central/NW, Hartford, and Fairfield regions* No standardized Epic workflow or metrics, limiting quantifiable FY comparison at this time Integration achieved through collaboration with: * Financial Aid* Authorization departments* Oncology care teamsHighlight: Increased staffing by 1FTE (FF)Support Groups & Educational series: CHNA alignment: Mental health, caregiver support, patient educationSupport groups reduced isolation, enhanced coping skills, and delivered disease-specific education to patients and caregivers across HHC's service area.* 505 participantsHighlights: Added 2 new support groups- Head & Neck Support Group and Lymphedema Support Group (partnership with Rehab to facilitate)* 10 condition-specific and caregiver groups offered* Virtual and hybrid formats enhanced accessibilityTopics included: * Breast, prostate, GI,

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 81.1%; rating input score 81
• Program expense ratio: 92.9%; rating input score 93
• Fundraising efficiency: $3.07 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 11; 11th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 87.4%; rating input score 87; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 81.8%; rating input score 82; 29th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 12.1%; rating input score 77; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.95; rating input score 62; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.19; rating input score 70; 70th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0.8%; rating input score 78; 78th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 8.6% per year; rating input score 100; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.9% per year; rating input score 100; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.1% per year; rating input score 100; 52nd percentile among comparable filings