Open house introduces Mercy Health changes
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A tour group looks over the CT Suite in the radiology department at Mercy Hospital during the Mercy Open House on Saturday.
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Paige Shoemaker, 5, of Janesville, gets a close-up and personal look at the skeletal system in How The Body Works, which featured a group of stations about the various systems of the human body at the Mercy Open House in Janesville on Saturday.
JANESVILLE — New offices, new equipment, new rooms.
New building, new technology, new specialists.
On Saturday, Mercy Health System rolled out the changes that have been in the making for nearly five years.
An open house featured tours of the newest addition to the campus, the Sister Michael Berry building, renovations throughout the hospital and a look at the cutting edge technology now available.
“Today we’re reminiscing about the past and looking to the future,” Rollie McClellen, chairman of the Mercy Health System board told a group of Janesville leaders.
The past got its due, briefly, with the announcement that the building housing Mercy Assisted Care would be renamed the Henry Palmer building in honor of the hospital’s founder.
The past and the future came together in Sister Michael Berry Building. Berry was the administrator who oversaw the development of the “new hospital” and kept the organization up-to-date and energized throughout the 1960s and ’70s.
The building is now home to many of Mercy’s specialty operations including endoscopy, gastroenterology, neurosciences, men’s health, urology and hematology and medical oncology.
Javon Bea, president and CEO of Mercy, highlighted the developments that led to Mercy’s Hospital and Trauma Center being designated a “level II” trauma center.
“Mercy is the only level II trauma center south of La Crosse,” Bea said.
In southern Wisconsin, only University Hospital, Madison and Froedtert Hospital, Wauwatosa, have a higher trauma center rating.
Bea and other hospital officials stressed that the goal of the trauma center—and other specialties—was to offer more care options closer to home.
Tours highlighted the hospital’s multi-million dollar investment in technology, including a 64-slice CT scanner that takes 3D images of the heart, the da Vinci robotic surgical system that helps surgeons perform less-invasive surgery; x-ray equipment with floating table tops and digital results, and a one-stop heart lab.
Other changes?
Most double rooms are now single rooms, everything from elevators to patient rooms have been renovated, all medical records are now computerized and virtually all images from heart scans to X-rays can be transmitted digitally.
The changes have been in the works for up to six years, said Mercy Vice President Rich Gruber.
Some of the changes are a normal part of being a health care provider in a world where the technology is changing almost continuously.
Most people—both patients and their visitors—don’t want to spend time in a hospital.
“We wanted to create an environment that was soothing and pleasant—that impacts attitude and emotions; it promotes healing,” Gruber said.
The changes at Mercy’s cancer center are a good example. Patients undergoing transfusions or chemotherapy sit in a spacious room with wrap-around windows with views of the river. Each reclining chair has its own television and headsets.
The light is bright but not jarring, giving the room a tranquil feeling.
It’s a significant change from the old chemo room in the basement.
The patients appreciate the change, said Karol Huernerberg, oncology nurse.
“The view, the open space, the patients love it,” Huernerberg said.
Oct 27, 2010 at 12:49 p.m.
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Thank you Mercy for the great event this past weekend! It is always fun to attend an event that has something for all ages. My friends brought their kids to the event and my husband and I really enjoyed the tours. Mercy has been a part of our family for the last 8 years and we have had GREAT experiences with our family practice physicians, dermatologist, allergist and general surgeon. Thanks again for everything you have done for us!
Oct 27, 2010 at 12:46 p.m.
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My family and I had a great time at the open house. The kids loved all the activities, especially meeting Bucky Badger.
Oct 27, 2010 at 12:42 p.m.
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My family and I attended the open house last weekend and were really impressed. Healthy snacks, fun for the kids and I took the tour - what a lovely addition and remodel throughout the hospital.
I have had nothing but good experiences at Mercy. I love our family doc, he's gone above and beyond the last 5 years we've been going to him.
What a great asset Mercy is to the community!
Oct 26, 2010 at 9:21 p.m.
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Becca... were you one of those KIDS in the ER at the front desk that was discussing your sex life and cracking jokes when you SHOULD have been concerned about my daughter with the blue lips needing immediate care, with an empty waiting room? Hmmmm.... This explains your hostility!
Oct 26, 2010 at 3:04 p.m.
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Well I was impressed with the Open House! I had a great tour of the new oncology area and was able to see this new robot they had in the pharmacy department. Pretty impressive. My wife had a baby at Mercy three years ago and it was one of the best experiences we ever had. I am glad Mercy is here and is a level 2 trauma center. A benefit to our community.
Oct 26, 2010 at 2:35 p.m.
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Dr. Green...and you don't work at Mercy anymore?...huh....interesting....and.... you obviously are talking to the wrong paramedics.
Oct 26, 2010 at 2:15 p.m.
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Becca,
I worked for Mercy for years, I know very well how their system operates
If my son fell from a bike, sustaned an epidural or other serious traumatic injuries, there would be a 99% chance he would be transfered from Mercy ( their descision , not mine) because they do not handle pediatric trauma. No pediatric surgeons, no pediatric neurosurgeons, no pediatric intensivists, no pediatric intensive care unit.
Also, I know the area EMS system very well. I do not known of a trauma patient EVER being flown to Mercy. Plenty flown out.
Oct 26, 2010 at 1:02 p.m.
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Who is this Dr. Green and how do you know so much about Mercy's Trauma verification? It's amazing how so many people have opinions they know nothing about.
Mercy IS a level 2 trauma center which means they DO provide everything that UW does minus burns, & transplants.
Level 2 DOES mean that they can take care of severe traumas. The proof is in the pudding when they have stats that 500 plus traumas have been brought into Mercy by ambulance or helicopter. They are definitely meeting an UNMET need. You obviously have a beef against them.... so get over it.
It disgusts me to read the few of you who are consistently blogging your negativity. The truth is that Mercy does a great job! They provide outstanding care and we should all be proud to have them in our town.
PS- Dr. Green-I hope your son or daughter doesn't fall off their bicycle and has a cerebral hematoma and you have to take him or her by ambulance to Madison or Rockford....that is a long drive when your brain is bleeding and minutes are the difference between life and death.
Oct 26, 2010 at 11:15 a.m.
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Some of you are discussing your experiences at Mercy. We're always interested in our customers’ feedback regarding their experiences within our system. We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss your experiences chronicled in this blog. If you are agreeable to this suggestion, please provide a phone number and the best time of day for our Customer Relations department to contact you. We’re listening. Please allow us to contact you by emailing us at custrelations@mhsjvl.org. Because we want to protect your privacy, we ask that you contact us confidentially. Thank you.
Oct 26, 2010 at 9:17 a.m.
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Wake up and smell the coffee - Mercy is a level 2 trauma center. BY DEFINITION - It a lower level of care than a level 1 center ie it is not as equipped/staffed to handle severe trauma. Pelvic, spine and especially pediatric. That is why Mercy still transfers trauma patients to Madison ( they do not like to talk about that). Remember, when you see a helicopter at Mercy, it sure as hell is not bringing patients in -it is taking them out
There is nothing bad about a level 2 trauma center -its a good thing for the Janesville area but you have administrators and PR people touting Mercy as the Mayo clinic of south Wisconsin. That is irresponsible behavior and marketing.
Oct 25, 2010 at 8:34 p.m.
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Your comment was "Right on" for your opinion, i dont deny that, you can feel how you want but when you offer the opinion of "any area" emt or paramedic then you are dead wrong, keep your opinions where they belong but dont put words in other peoples mouths
Oct 25, 2010 at 6:52 p.m.
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miltonalum... the comment was "right on" as far as I'm concerned! My personal experiences go back 20 years. Believe me when I say - I have never had a "good" experience at Mercy's ER! Ever!
They have a fabulous OB wing and the infectious disease care I received when I had pertussis - 5 years ago, was beyond compare. But many of us have needed emergency care and the quality of the experience has been horrendous!
The personnel of the ER is sooo below the level of simple compassion... and when the front desk staff is discussing who screwed who, over the weekend and laughing and such... It makes us feel like insignificant subhumans... they can either get us in to see a doctor when my child has blue lips, with NO ONE else waiting or not...
This is not how you treat people! I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to SLAP those young snotty girls at the ER front desk! It is "just a job" to them. These are my children and grandchildren, to me! And YES.... we HAVE FULL medical insurance!
Javon Bea needs an education from Edgerton Hospital, on how to run a proper CARING ER!!!
Oct 25, 2010 at 5:21 p.m.
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Quote, "Ask any area paramedic or ER nurse where they would want their spouse/child/mother to go if they were severely injured in an accident. If they are truly being honest with you -the answer will not be Mercy."
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Wow, i havent seen such an idiotic, uneducated statement like this in a long time, Im sure you can speak for every one out there right? get a clue....
Oct 25, 2010 at 3:45 p.m.
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Seriously, who would ever want the GazetteXtra to post an article about themselves when there are always so many negative comments. DRGREEN's comment below is borderline libel.
Oct 25, 2010 at 2:31 p.m.
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Sigma- Why would you be walking in "gushing blood" ? Why aren't you coming in via ambulance if your injuries are so severe!! Try calling 911 the next time you sever an artery.
Oct 25, 2010 at 1:16 p.m.
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Mercy Hospital is a joke..
Oct 25, 2010 at 12:59 p.m.
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Wondering why no one thought to make the pediatrics floor remodeling more child-friendly. It looks like a contemporary-high-style magazine remodel with the interior designer in mind rather than inviting and friendly for children as more welcoming and understanding hospitals have chosen...
Oct 25, 2010 at 12:11 p.m.
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In response to Dr. Greens comments about other trauma centers in IL:
You are correct in saying that Rockford has three Level I Trauma Centers. The challenge is that a trauma center is not a trauma center.
The state of IL does not use the same criteria for certification as Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, level I and II trauma centers are verified
by the American College of Surgeons
(http://www.facs.org/trauma/verified.html...). In IL, the verification is done by the state. --The ACS verification is considered a higher standard then the State of Illinois verification requirements.--
If you look at the national verification you will see that Rockford has only one ACS trauma center ... OSF St. Anthony. Even OSF, being
ranked as a level I by the state, has an ACS verification as a Level II -- The exact same as Mercy.
As for why Mercy might spend the time and effort to become a Trauma Center. I can only speculate here, but I would guess, based off of what Mercy has said, is that it is about keeping patients close to their families and friends, and getting care to trauma patients as quickly as possible...Both things which might not happen if you require additional transport out of the area - especially if you are bleeding or not breathing right (as an example).
Oct 25, 2010 at 10:01 a.m.
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When does the Deans Hospital open?
Oct 25, 2010 at 8:24 a.m.
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Once again Javon Bea at his best (worst?) Spending money on buildings, football players signing autographs and propaganda literature everywhere. When is he going to wake up and realize that the number one area that most people relate to the Mercy system is a trip through the Emergency Room. Yes he fancied up the waiting room so that your "extended stay" while waiting for care isn't as bad, but hasn't done anything with the outdated, cramped, understaffed Emergency Department. Wise up and take a look at what Beloit did with their ER. Drive through ambulance bays, EMS room, and patient care facilities that are outstanding. Yes I'm sure Beloit still has the classic ER problems that face all ER's but Mr Bea needs to remember that patient care starts at the door. Give your staff and patients a place that works and things will be better! Quit wasting it on all the other "pretty" things.
Oct 25, 2010 at 8:03 a.m.
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they should call it "mercyless"
Oct 24, 2010 at 11:09 p.m.
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Do the changes include having someone in the emergency room at all times so when you walk in there gushing blood late at night you dont have to walk around looking for someone and beat on the desk and doors trying to find help as your bleeding all over the place?
Oct 24, 2010 at 8:52 p.m.
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You forgot to mention there are 2 additional Level 1 trauma centers just over the border in Rockford. Unlike the other level 2 trauma centers in the state, Janesville has 4 level one trauma centers within an easy hours drive( or 15 minutes by helicopter).
There are very few rural areas in the nation that have such a high density of level one centers. I dont understand why Mercy has spent the time and money on becoming a trauma center. There is no reason to take a serious trauma patient to a lower level of care when there are so many level one centers in the area. Ask any area paramedic or ER nurse where they would want their spouse/child/mother to go if they were severely injured in an accident. If they are truly being honest with you -the answer will not be Mercy.
Oct 24, 2010 at 6:54 p.m.
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What about the pharmacy? Just curious...
Oct 24, 2010 at 5:36 p.m.
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and the pharmacy is forgotten again!
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