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CARDIAC
The
long-awaited $18 million
expansion of the emergency depart-
ment at Mercy Medical Center
Redding (MMCR) is finally com-
pleted. The spacious new facility is
designed to dramatically enhance
the patient experience—and pro-
vide more streamlined processes.
“We’ve built a world-class trauma
center with all the space and in-
frastructure needed to provide the
same level of care you find in the
best trauma centers in the world,”
says Jesse Wells, MD, Medical
Director of the department.
Patient-centered build
The new design has features that
will help speed treatment, which
can often mean shorter wait times.
“We have put a sizeable investment
into expanding,” says Rob Barth,
Director of Emergency Services.
“In doing so, we have made sure
that the space where patients are
treated is comfortable and better
equipped to meet their needs.”
The enhancements include:
More room.
There are 10 new
rooms (for a total of 30 beds)
along with a new trauma area.
“It’s not just the increase in
capacity—it’s an increase in
elbow room and comfort,”
Dr. Wells says.
Added comfort.
Treatment
rooms are private and no longer
separated only by curtains, and
the soothing décor is designed to
reduce patient stress and pro-
mote healing. “An environment
that is calm and relaxing is going
to aid in the healing process,”
Barth says.
Technology.
Digital X-rays make
it easier to diagnose and treat
life-threatening conditions more
quickly. And computer terminals
built into the rooms link to a new
electronic health record system.
World-class care
As the region’s only Level 2 trauma
center, MMCR handles many
types of critical injuries, includ-
ing orthopaedic trauma—care for
severe bone and joint injuries. You
might expect to find an orthopae-
dic trauma doctor at a metropoli-
tan center. And, Dr. Wells notes,
MMCR has not one but two.
ER expansion enhances
emergency and trauma care
EMERGENCY
Kids and
emergencies
It’s important to make sure kids know
how to call for emergency help.
According to the American College
of Emergency Physicians, kids as
young as 3 years can understand
the concept of 911. Stress that
you call only for emergencies—it’s
not a game. And talk about what
some emergencies might be. You
can help your child practice making
an emergency call by pretending to
be a 911 operator. Ask your child
questions such as: What is your
emergency? What is your address?
What is your full name?
Hopefully, your young child will
never have to call 911. But knowing
he or she is prepared can give you
peace of mind.
Dignity Health
