Mercy Medical Center now offers private rooms to all acute-care patients
Mercy Medical Center , 701 10th St. SE, has completed the renovation of its eighth floor as the final phase in converting the hospital’s inpatient nursing floors to all private rooms. The 8th floor is now designated as the Perrine Oncology and Neurosurgery Centers. 
Mercy’s planned conversion to all private patient rooms began with the renovation of the 9th floor Cardiac-Stroke Center in August 2004. In keeping with Mercy’s mission to provide the highest quality of innovative patient care, coupled with the latest technology available, the hospital has since followed through with its vision to offer private rooms to all acute care patients.
“We’re proud to be the only hospital in the Corridor to offer all private rooms to acute care patients,” said Tim Charles, president and CEO, Mercy Medical Center . “The multiple advantages of single-patient rooms motivated us to take this important step. Most significantly, studies show patients heal faster and fewer infections are transferred when patients have their own rooms.”
Studies also show patients’ length of stay is reduced, patients report less pain and smaller amounts of narcotics are used, and fewer medication errors are made in single patient rooms. In addition to those direct benefits to patients, Mercy’s new private rooms are especially family-friendly—with hide-a-beds, internet ports, flat-screen televisions, CD/DVD players and automatic window-covering controls in every room.
While the new Perrine Oncology and Neurosurgery Centers closely resemble Mercy’s other renovated patient-care areas, the floor has several distinguishing features designed to meet the special needs of cancer, neurosurgical and spinal patients. The Centers include three lead-lined rooms for patients with radioactive implants. A consultation room allows patients to discuss their treatment with a doctor with immediate access to digital images of x-rays. Plus, a large family waiting room with a children’s play area is designed to meet the needs of visiting family members.
Patients undergoing cancer treatment and their family can also take solace in knowing that they are in close proximity to the national-caliber Mercy Regional Cancer Center where they have immediate access to the most experienced staff, the most advanced technology, and the most comprehensive cancer care available in the region.
Gems of Hope is yet another resource available at Mercy to patients with cancer, offering them support and information as they navigate through cancer treatment. The local non-profit agency designs and distributes handmade jewelry to area cancer patients, in addition to offering a resource library for informational materials. A permanent display case in the new Perrine Oncology and Neurosurgery Centers will feature Gems of Hope jewelry mounted on inspirational cards. Patients being treated for cancer, along with family and friends, are regularly invited to attend workshops to create these works of art for others.
Blair Thornson, 20, of Cedar Rapids , remembers the day a Gems of Hope representative came into her hospital room at Mercy while she was being treated for non-Hodgkins lymphoma. “I just loved the idea that they were trying to make me feel better, and prettier, while I was going through such a difficult time,” says Thornson. “Everyone in that group is somehow connected to cancer. I knew I wasn’t alone.” Thornson has since become directly involved with Gems of Hope, designing jewelry for others and speaking to community groups about her personal experience with cancer.
To support the important work accomplished by Gems of Hope, Mercy will donate $1.00 to the organization for every person that attends a public open house event on Monday, March 19, at 4:45 p.m. The open house will celebrate the move to all private patient rooms and the renovation of the new Perrine Oncology and Neurosurgery Centers . The event will include a short program with remarks by Mercy president & CEO, Tim Charles, as well as representatives of the local medical community. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will follow the program. Mercy staff members will offer tours of the floor, highlighting the unique features of private patient rooms.
The Perrine Oncology and Neurosurgery Centers are named after the Perrine family who provided strong financial support for Mercy’s inpatient cancer services when the unit was first established in the 1980’s.
Event Details
What: Open house for Perrine Oncology & Neurosurgery Centers & a celebration of Mercy’s conversion to all private patient rooms.
When: Monday, March 19, 4:45 p.m.
Where: Perrine Oncology & Neurosurgery Centers, 8th floor at Mercy Medical Center (Take Elevator B to the 8th floor)
Who: The public is invited to attend. Mercy will donate $1 to Gems of Hope for every person in attendance.
