Podcast Summary: Zero Harm Isn’t a Dream: Inside Hartford HealthCare's Patient Safety Revolution

Podcast: Advancing Health
Host: American Hospital Association
Episode Date: January 7, 2026
Featured Guest: Stephanie Calcasola, Chief Quality Officer, Hartford Healthcare
Host/Interviewer: Kristin Price, Vice President, Health Research and Educational Trust, American Hospital Association

Episode Overview

This episode shines a spotlight on Hartford Healthcare, the 2025 winner of the American Hospital Association’s Quest for Quality Prize. The conversation unpacks Hartford’s bold journey towards achieving zero harm in patient safety, its system-wide transformation, and the innovations in quality improvement and clinical care redesign that set a new industry benchmark.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hartford Healthcare’s Bold Patient Safety Vision

• In 2017, Hartford Healthcare set out to win an “A” rating in patient safety from Leapfrog for all its hospitals—a target considered “unheard of nowadays.”
• As of 2017, their seven hospitals had "five Cs, a D and one B" (03:00), illustrating a significant gap to close.
• The commitment: Patient safety wasn’t new but required an “intentional reset” as the system expanded via acquisitions, emphasizing not just access but excellence in care.

Quote:

“We set a bold target that we would achieve Leapfrog ‘A’ grade for patient safety across all our hospitals. And we're very proud that we were able to achieve that.”
— Stephanie Calcasola, 02:56

2. “Safety Starts With Me”: A Systemwide High Reliability Program

• Hartford rebranded its high reliability training as Safety Starts With Me, embedding it into the culture and orientation for every new employee by Day 2.
• This effort was inspired by the state-wide high reliability push from the Connecticut Hospital Association in 2011, but Hartford’s program extended into every part of the enterprise: ambulatory settings, hospital, medical groups, and joint ventures.
• This initiative promotes individual responsibility at all levels—no role is too small to impact patient safety.

Quote:

“That commitment to have the program, it Starts With Me embody that all colleagues have a role in high reliability.”
— Stephanie Calcasola, 04:45

3. Embedding Safety Culture in Technology & Simulation

• Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation (CESI): A 50,000 square foot, internationally recognized facility for hands-on simulation—spanning surgery, robotics, and high-stakes clinical scenarios (05:54).
• The simulation lab also addresses the “human element,” reinforcing behaviors like checklists and timeouts in a risk-free environment.
• CESI’s reach broadens via partnerships (e.g., Eastern Connecticut State University), extending this approach statewide.

Quote:

“We use the CESI center for high reliability reinforcement. ...when clinicians, physicians, nurses are actively caring for patients, they've already been trained in a simulated environment.”
— Stephanie Calcasola, 06:28

4. Clinical Care Redesign: Cutting Waste, Maximizing Value

• Began in 2016-17; focus on identifying and removing waste, reducing practice variation, and following evidence-based care to benefit both quality and affordability—not just cost-cutting.
• The toughest part: Changing the perception that the initiative was about budgeting rather than quality.
• Key Results:
  • $28 million savings in FY23
  • $58 million in FY24
  • Projecting ~$88 million by FY25
• Central to success: Multi-disciplinary “clinical councils” plus strong supply chain partnerships to optimize vendor contracts and standardize supplies.

Quote:

“This is not a cost savings program. It’s actually an evidence-based program of quality and safety… In our first real big year, we had $28 million removed in fiscal year 23, in 24, $58 million.”
— Stephanie Calcasola, 09:01

Memorable comparison:

“Basically the healthcare version of cleaning out your closet and finding out you've been hoarding six versions of the same sweater.”
— Kristin Price, 07:46

5. Advice for Organizations Pursuing Zero Harm

• Executive Commitment is Non-negotiable: Unified, strategic direction from leadership.
• Culture of Learning: 48,000+ employees embodying “Safety Starts With Me.”
• Measurement and Transparency: Actively sharing data at every level—boards, leaders, staff—on key safety outcomes (infections, reporting, compliance).
• Repeatable Improvement Model: Lean methodologies, leadership behaviors, and an operating model that makes excellence possible and expected.
• Patient Centeredness: Always remembering every patient is “my mother, my friend, my husband”—drives relentless improvement.

Quote:

“Every day I'm coming to work and I know my colleagues are that this could be my mother, my friend, my husband. We want that care to be consistent, excellent and reliable every time.”
— Stephanie Calcasola, 13:27

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On success inspiring others:

  “There's so much that you guys are doing that others are learning from.”
  — Kristin Price, 07:21

• On bragging about achievements:

  “I think brag you should, loudly and proudly.”
  — Kristin Price, 07:18

Important Timestamps

• 00:24 – Kristin introduces guest and the Quest for Quality Prize
• 02:04 – Genesis of the Leapfrog “A” rating goal
• 03:33 – Launch of Safety Starts With Me
• 05:49 – Simulation, technology, and CESI’s impact
• 07:58 – Clinical Care Redesign explained and its results
• 11:13 – Advice for starting a zero harm or quality improvement journey
• 13:27 – Key closing insight: consistency, excellence, reliability in every patient interaction

Summary Takeaways

Hartford Healthcare’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when vision, leadership, and systems-thinking align. Their relentless pursuit of zero harm through integrated culture change, pioneering simulation education, and evidence-based redesign demonstrates exemplary leadership in advancing healthcare. The tools and inspiration provided in this episode are invaluable for all organizations seeking to make a difference in patient safety and quality.