NEWS RELEASE

Mercer County Health Care Fund and the Mercer County Civic Foundation Donate to Mercer Health’s Disease Management Center Surgery Department and Doctors’ Urgent Care

The Mercer County Health Care Fund held by the Mercer County Civic Foundation has donated funds to support several services provided by Mercer Health, including Mercer Health’s Disease Management Center, Surgery Department and Doctors’ Urgent Care.

Mercer Health Disease Management Center receives Sara Stedy Transfer Device

Mercer Health’s Disease Management Center’s goal is to provide evidence based practice and education through a team of physicians, registered nurses and registered dietitians to meet the health care needs of patients, focusing on wounds, diabetes, infectious diseases, ostomy and vascular disease.  Jodi Homan, Supervisor of Medical Center Operations and Doctors’ Urgent Care of Mercer Health, states, “The vast majority of patients who utilize the Disease Management clinic represent our local elderly population.  Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries.  In 2013, direct medical costs of falls reached $34 billion while 25,500 older adults died from unintentional falls.  With the financial support of the Mercer County Health Care Fund held by the Mercer County Civic Foundation, we have purchased a Sara Stedy Transfer Device which will provide necessary support to our patients.”

The Sara Stedy Transfer Device is an enhanced standing and transfer aid that offers patients as well as staff a device to assist with a decreased risk of injury or fall during a transfer or assisting patients to stand while receiving care at the Disease Management Center.  Homan continues, “we are grateful for the Mercer County Health Care Fund and the Mercer County Civic Foundation’s continued support. The Sara Stedy will help us to provide the best and safest care to our most vulnerable patients who are at the highest risk of falls.

mercer health

 Pictured left to right are

Top: Deb Hemmelgarn, Nancy Wermert, RN, WCC, Rita Niekamp, RN,  Peg Bruggeman, RN,CDE

Bottom: Julie Schulze, RN, Kendra Thobe, MOA, Jamie Swain, CMA

Mercer Health Surgery Department

Mercer Health offers a wide variety of surgeries and procedures including general surgery, orthopedic, bariatric, gynecological, ophthalmologic (eyes), urological, ENT (ears, nose and throat), plastic, podiatry, laser, endoscopy and more.  In recent years, the volume of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures at Mercer Health has grown exponentially. Last year, the surgical department reached a record breaking 5,310 procedures.  Susan Miller, Director of Surgery at Mercer Health states, “Surgeons require the use of various types of surgical equipment to perform surgery safely. The new surgical equipment made available through the financial support of the Mercer County Health Care Fund and the Mercer County Civic Foundation is much appreciated.”

The surgery department at Mercer Health received a myringotomy set used by surgeons during fine detail surgery involving the ear. A bone curette set was also received and will be used by orthopedic surgeons for total joint (knee, hip) procedures.  Miller continues, “The new surgical equipment for the Surgical Department will benefit the surgeons at Mercer Health and the many patients who are in need of our surgical services. Both of these items are necessary for proper care and treatment of the patient.”

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Pictured left to right are

Alice Gaerke, RN, Tamra Dues, RN, Karen Clune, RN, Beth Frilling, RN, OR manager, Kathie Rockwood, CST

 

Mercer Health Doctors Urgent Care

Annually, nearly 10,000 people walk-in to Doctors’ Urgent Care to receive non-emergent care.  “Our policy at Doctors’ Urgent Care is to treat our patients based upon medical need. Our “Fast Track” treatment plan allows patients to get medical attention as soon as space is available. The addition of the vital sign monitors will facilitate patient care by replacing the need to manually take and record vital sign readings for blood pressure and pulse.” states Jenny Conn, Director of Emergency Services at Mercer Health.  Conn continues, “Furthermore, the accuracy of a patient’s vitals sets the baseline for the emergent necessity of care. Fast, accurate vitals with the Vital Sign Monitor will help ensure patient comfort while maintaining a high standard of clinical accuracy while providing the best care our patients have come to rely on.”

20160106_160825 Pictured left to right are

Jodi Homan, Supervisor of Medical Center Operations and Doctors’ Care of Mercer Health, Missy Tangeman RN, Joann Plattner RN, Mary Brown RN and Patty Hipply RN.

Deb Hemmelgarn, MED Foundation Coordinator, states, “Mercer Health is grateful for the continued support  from the Mercer County Health Care Fund, the Mercer County Civic Foundation and their Board of Directors.  As a community anchor, Mercer Health remains focused on setting the pace for health in our community by providing quality and compassionate health care services, quality employment and strong economic support to the local community.    The support of the Mercer County Health Care Fund and the Mercer County Civic Foundation helps us to continue to meet our mission to meet the healthcare needs of our community.”