Q. Why is this project necessary?
A. In order for MCH to continue to provide quality healthcare, the Hospital must make changes in key areas of the facility. The proposed renovation and expansion projects are needed to upgrade Life Safety systems, meet advances in medical technology, enhance patient privacy, and meet patient expectations. MCH has earned the community's confidence and respect through a long history of meeting the highest standards for healthcare, compassion, and quality of service. We must evolve to continue our longstanding commitment to the communities we serve.
Q What does Life Safety Codes mean?
A. Life Safety Codes (LSC) are a set of fire protection requirements designed to provide a reasonable degree of safety for patients in an acute care setting. Mercer County Hospital must move forward now with the following mandated changes:
- Fire Detection and Suppression
- Upgrade Air Circulation and Climate Control
- Improvement Complete Replacement of Lined Duct System
- Emergency Power Distribution
System Life Safety Code issues, if not corrected, would void the hospital's accreditation, thereby eliminating its qualification for third party reimbursement. The financial results would be devastating.
Q How was the decision made to develop this project?
A. The Mercer County Hospital Governing Board reviewed several options to address the needs of the facility with regard to healthcare and life safety codes upgrades, as well as meeting the needs of the facility and its patients. In May of 2007, the Governing Board gave its approval to proceed with a major facilities upgrade and renovation project estimated at $10.5 million.
As a strong advocate of healthcare in Mercer County, Mercer Foundation for Health understands the importance of this project. Over the years, with the support of many dedicated individuals and the generosity of our friends, family, and our community, the Foundation has provided much assistance for the hospital.
Once again the Foundation will be there, working to foster the best healthcare for those we serve, as well as financially supporting the renovation project through the “Enhancing Our Tradition of Compassionate Care” Capital Campaign to raise $1 million in support of the Mercer County Hospital renovation project.
Q What is the scope of this project?
A. To improve patient accessibility, privacy, and comfort:
- Construct a new, covered entrance to protect patients from inclement weather
- Increase parking space close to the main entrance for visitors
- Expand the front of the facility to create a central patient entrance
- Locate an information desk at the entrance for reception, questions, and directions
- Expand the front of the facility to create space for a central registration area, with separate cubicles to assure privacy and confidentiality
- Construct two waiting areas to separate people waiting for an outpatient procedure from those waiting for emergency services, thereby reducing the possibility for spread of infection
- Relocate nonpatient care areas away from patient care areas to allow for easier access and a more patient friendly environment.
To update the delivery of healthcare:
- Reconfigure outpatient areas to provide expansion for Laboratory, Radiology, Physical Therapy, and Cardiopulmonary departments, including some waiting areas within departments.
- Convert to all single patient rooms.
- Redesign the nursing stations to accommodate patient and visitor flow, allow more privacy, and increase viewing by nursing staff to all areas within the unit.
To modernize the facility:
- Upgrade and replace heating, cooling, and mechanical systems to meet state regulations at an expanded facility.
- Construct separate entrances for emergency vehicles and mobile units.
- Construct a covered bay for mobile technology.
Q. What will happen to the Extended Care Unit at the hospital?
A. Mercer County Hospital has presented a NonSubstantive Certificate of Need application to the Illinois Department of Public Health to discontinue 14 longterm care beds (the Extended Care Facility).
Upon elimination of the longterm care unit, both the existing acute rooms as well as the previous longterm care rooms will be turned into single patient rooms. The hospital's acute care bed count will remain the same at 22.
The basis for this request is that the two nursing homes in Mercer County have available beds, and removal of the longterm care beds will assist with the hospital's Critical Access Hospital reimbursement levels.
Q What is the cost of this project?
A. The projected renovation cost is $10.5 million.
Q Can Mercer Foundation for Health afford to do this?
A. Yes. Mercer Foundation for Health has accepted the challenge to raise $1 million toward the cost of the project.
Throughout the entire project, the Foundation's leadership will continue to diligently manage a balanced budget and to conserve reserve funds while meeting the healthcare needs of the community, addressing the impact of technological advances, and maintaining reasonable patient costs.
Q Why should our communities support the Mercer Foundation for Health Capital Campaign?
A. Mercer County Hospital is doing this for you our patients, our neighbors, and the people we serve in Mercer County and the surrounding areas. We are your hospital. We have provided quality healthcare for you for more than 50 years. The relationship between the Hospital and the communities we serve is based on a long history of mutual support and trust.
Our employees are your neighbors, and they are among the Hospital's most important assets. Because of them, the Hospital has been able to retain its small town, homelike feeling a place that's familiar and comforting.
Quality healthcare is as vital to a community's success as schools and businesses. Mercer County and the surrounding areas are fortunate to have a Hospital that provides comprehensive services right here at home.
In addition, the Hospital provides enormous economic benefit to the community. With 180 employees and an annual payroll in excess of $5.3 million, it is one of Mercer County's largest employers.
Communities with up to date medical facilities are viewed favorably by new and existing businesses. The proposed project enables the Hospital to continue to anticipate and meet the needs created by that growth with the latest technology and improved efficiency.
Q Who will be asked to contribute to Mercer Foundation for Health Capital Campaign?
A. The Mercer County Hospital Governing Board and Mercer Foundation for Health Board of Directors were the first to be asked to support the campaign financially, along with medical staff and employees.
The Foundation is seeking the area wide support of industries, corporations, businesses, financial institutions, foundations, organizations, and Hospital and Foundation supporters.
Q Who will solicit?
A. Volunteers from the Mercer County Hospital service area will make personal calls to secure gifts and pledges. All solicitors will have made their own contributions before asking others to do so.
Q Are gifts tax deductible?
A. Yes. Mercer Foundation for Health is incorporated as a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization. The state of Illinois and the federal government encourage voluntary support of these organizations through liberal deduction allowances.
All gifts to the campaign are tax deductible within the regulations of state and federal laws.
All donations designated for this project will be held in a segregated account and will be applied only to costs associated with this project.
Q How will gifts to the campaign be recognized?
A. Donors will be recognized through publicity, publications, and designated giving opportunities. A list of donors will be published when the campaign is completed. Donors' names will also appear in press releases announcing the successful completion of the campaign.
Although Mercer Foundation for Health encourages donors to accept public acknowledgment of their gifts, we will respect the wishes of those who choose to remain anonymous.
Q Why a three to five year pledge period?
A. The goal of $1 million is too high to be reached with out of pocket cash gifts. With a three to five year pledge period, donors will be able to maximize their generosity to the campaign.
Donors can also benefit from income tax laws written to encourage gifts to nonprofit institutions like Mercer Foundation for Health over a multiyear period.
Q How much should I give?
A. Only you can answer that question. We ask that you consider the importance of the modernization and expansion of the facility to you and your family. With your generous support, the Hospital will be able to continue providing life enhancing services for our communities well into the future. |
