Dear Friends,

February is American Heart Month. As our doctors and staff at Mercy Health – Mt. Airy and Western Hills Hospitals implement awareness activities related to Heart Month, it reminded me just how important it will be to have comprehensive heart care services at the new Mercy Health – West Hospital.

When the hospital opens in October 2013, for the first time, West side residents will have access to critical heart procedures, diagnostic tests, rehabilitation and some of the area’s top cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons without having to leave the west side. This includes:

• Open heart surgery
• Coronary artery bypass
• Cardiac catheterization
• Coronary angioplasty
• Coronary atherectomy
• Coronary stents
• Defibrillator implants and replacement
• Pacemaker implants
• Valve repair and replacement
• Coronary biopsies
• Surgical/non-surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation

And Mercy Health is proud to be the health system to bring you these services.

Under the leadership of our physicians and nurses, we are creating a world class program that won’t focus solely on sophisticated equipment and the latest treatments. Our focus will be you and your family with one goal in mind: to help make you better – body, mind and spirit.

Our program will begin with your first interaction with our hospital team. This may be initiated by your primary care doctor. Throughout your care with us, we will ensure your primary care doctor is apprised of your condition, treatment plan and care. That’s because we understand that your primary care doctor is most often the first person you turn to for your healthcare needs.

Your first interaction may be with the team in our Emergency Department. In the event of an emergency, our highly trained experienced Emergency Department physicians and staff are ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 364 days a year should your situation call for immediate intervention. The team will also make sure your loved ones are updated throughout your Emergency Department visit and included in decision making as you request.

Another possibility is that a cardiologist refers you to our hospital. We are proud to have the cardiologists of the Mercy Health – Heart Institute currently serving the heart care needs of residents of the West side. Their award-winning heart and vascular care will extend to the new Mercy Health – West Hospital. The cardiologists include: David Babbitt, MD; Timothy Brennan, MD; Jefferson Burroughs, MD; Kevin Cochran, MD; Frederick Crall, Jr, MD; Abhijit Desai, MD; Daniel Eckert, MD; Charles Hattemer, MD; Deborah Hauger, MD; S. Zubair Haq, MD; John Held, MD; Richard Henthorn, MD; Matthew Hutchins, MD; F. Thomas Jenike, MD; Mark Kirkham, MD; Reza Mazraeshahi, MD; Stephen Meyers, MD; Ashok Penmetsa, MD ; Vanshipal Puri, MD; Rajinder Singh, MD; Lester Suna, MD; and Lynne Wagoner, MD.

The nurses and staff of our cardiac nursing units and rehabilitation will work together with you and your family to develop your care plan and help you through your journey to recovery. Along the way, you will encounter members of our support teams, including Food Service and Nutrition, Pharmacy, Environmental Services, Discharge Planning and others.

Everyone in every department at Mercy Health – West Hospital will be waiting to serve you, whether it’s for a routine lab test, open heart surgery, to pick up copies of your health records or to deliver your baby. For more than 150 years, it has been our pleasure to serve you and we look forward to continuing that commitment with a new level of excitement and expertise when our new hospital opens in 2013.

Sincerely,

Michael R. Stephens
President and Market Leader
Mercy Health – West Region

Okay this isn’t an episode of the Golden Girls. Instead, it’s Cincinnati, 1979. A building is being constructed. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC professionals are standing side-by-side at the construction site. They are determining how the various systems should flow throughout the building. One slight miscalculation means starting over. They are masters of their trades, so when they indicate a potential problem, work stops until it is corrected.

Now picture Cincinnati, 2012.

A hospital is being constructed. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC professionals and other masters are seated in front of computers. They are determining how the various systems should flow throughout the building. The difference: in 1979, the masters had to stand at the actual site to see if the systems would functional together. Today, a computer system allows the team of masters to view on a giant monitor how the systems run throughout the building. It indicates in red any areas where the plans may not work together, and the team makes the necessary adjustments – all before anyone has stepped away from the computers and outside the construction trailer.

“It is phenomenal,” says Michael Stephens, President and Market Leader, Mercy Health – West Region, “If anyone has ever wondered how buildings – including hospitals, office buildings and even homes – can be constructed so quickly, this will answer those questions. Technology has allowed firms like Turner Construction to proactively determine how electrical, plumbing, HVAC and other lines should be installed in buildings – and houses – before a single cable has been installed. It is absolutely fascinating, and Mercy Health is fortunate to be able to benefit from this technological
advancement.”

In a warehouse in Cincinnati, the firm Pivotek creates “mechanical racks.” These racks (think large metal duct systems) contain domestic hot and cold water piping, medical gas piping, fire protection piping, electrical conduit and cable tray, ductwork, and VAV boxes. They are assembled in the warehouse and stored until the hospital is ready. Once ready, Pivotek delivers the racks and they are hoisted and inserted into place. For HGTV
fans, you know this means valuable time and money saved. For the rest of us, this is another example of how the best, most current state-of-the-art technology is being applied to your new hospital, Mercy Health – West Hospital.

“This type of approach is not new to Mercy Health,” adds Stephens. “From the time the Sisters of Mercy and the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor opened hospital doors more than 150 years ago, quality has been the first priority. That applies to the doctors doing surgery to the lab techs drawing blood to the staff serving patients their lunch to the team building our new hospital. We will settle for nothing less than the best for our patients.”

What do Disneyland and Mercy Health – West Hospital have in common? Jay Kingsley.

Jay, a Franklin, Ohio native with Turner Construction, serves as the Mechanical, Electric and Plumbing (MEP) Manager for the Mercy Health – West Hospital site construction. Before he got involved with hospital construction, Jay worked for Disney in California on a construction project. Although he loved the California weather, Jay returned to Ohio where his interest in hunting, organic food and a healthy lifestyle found a perfect place in Georgetown.

Each day, Jay makes the one hour drive from home to the construction site, but he doesn’t mind. “I like the Westside,” says Jay. “For one thing, prices are lower.” One of his favorite spots is the Shell gas station on North Bend Road because it has lower prices and friendly people.

As the MEP Manager for the new hospital, Jay leads the team that makes sure that everything – security, fire alarms, heating and cooling, medical technology, and more – will run perfectly.

Before the first shovel of dirt was turned for Mercy Health – West Hospital, Jay was using Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology, which provides 3D views of the construction and design of each part of the hospital on a computer. Historically, design and construction of buildings have relied on drawings to represent the work to be done. These drawings could not be transferred to computers, and as a result were open to error. With the BIM technology, tools help to define objects parametrically, which allows people like Jay and his team to visually see potential construction errors on a computer screen and correct them before anything is ever built.

“Mercy Health – West Hospital is different from other hospital construction projects,” said Jay. “This is my first hospital project where we have used BIM technology. It’s cutting edge, and ensures that we never have to re-order or re-cut a piece of piping or electrical wiring. I can’t wait to see the hospital when it is complete. It will be a true masterpiece.”

Jay first became interested in construction work when he was a student at Franklin High School. The father of his high school sweetheart was a project manager for a construction company, and Jay became interested in the work he was doing, and learned a great deal about the field from him.

Jay most enjoys the sense of accomplishment that comes with the completion of each construction project. “There is a huge sense of pride that comes with seeing a project through from start to finish,” Jay remarked. “I feel that in some way I am helping the patients who will use this hospital because I make sure the various systems will work perfectly and with the highest level of efficiency. Knowing that is extremely rewarding.”

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were filled with joy and your New Year is full of blessing and good health for you and your loved ones. At Mercy Health, we hope to be a convenient and positive part of your good health. We will continue the many projects we began in 2011 – including the construction of Mercy Health – West Hospital – and are looking forward to new services and initiatives we will introduce in 2012. All of these projects are focused on helping you be well!

Regarding the new hospital, you may have read or heard that one of many services we will introduce to our west communities is a full range of maternity services to help you and your family welcome your bundle of joy. To lead this new service, we have appointed Dennis Wiwi, M.D., Obstetrics and Gynecology, as Medical Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the new Mercy Health – West Hospital.

Dr. Wiwi brings extensive experience and knowledge to our new program, and we are excited to work with him to bring you the world class clinical services and compassionate care you and your baby deserve. To ensure your stay with us is as positive and enjoyable as possible, our Family Birth Center at Mercy Health – West Hospital, will offer:

• Private rooms with private shower and bathroom, a sleeper sofa, desk, and plenty of natural light
• Level II Special Care Nursery for babies requiring additional support including preterm and late preterm babies with private, specially equipped rooms to create an environment for babies to continue their development, to ensure uninterrupted sleep and to promote bonding with the parents
• Two family suites on the Special Care Nursery for families that want to be close to their child, while he or she is in the Special Care Nursery
• Maternal Fetal Medicine Program to reduce risks for mothers who experience complicated pregnancies
• A variety of Childbirth Education classes including one-day classes (Baby Basics, Infant Safety and CPR, Breastfeeding, Siblings at Delivery, Childbirth Refresher), and a four-week Childbirth Education series
• Lactation Program and a Lactation Room with help available from lactation specialists who can help with breastfeeding and provide general patient education

Our staff will include doctors and nurses experienced in obstetrics and we will draw from the exceptional care and service provided at our award-winning Family Birth Centers at Mercy Health – Fairfield Hospital and Mercy Health – Anderson Hospital.

We understand the birth of a baby is one of the most precious moments in life. At Mercy Health, we want you and your bundle of joy to have a wonderful beginning. I invite you to visit the Maternity section of this web site for more details about our Family Birth Center. I also welcome your feedback and questions related to this service as we prepare for the “birth” of a new generation in health care for the west side: the 2013 opening of Mercy Health – West Hospital!

Sincerely,

Michael R. Stephens
President and Market Leader
Mercy Health – West Region

Cecil Howell, known by most as “Rabbit”, plays an integral role in the construction of the new Mercy Health – West Hospital, from 160 feet in the air.

As a Crane Operator, Cecil is responsible for moving heavy materials, such as steel, plywood, concrete blocks, cages and more to help build the new hospital. Having been in the construction business for more than 37 years, Cecil is no stranger to the staggering heights and small area from which he operates.

At the start of each day – around 6:45 a.m. – Cecil begins his ascent on the 160-foot crane until he reaches his cab – a 42” x 60” area where he controls the crane. Once Cecil reaches the top of the crane, he never descends until his day is complete. “I am typically in the crane for eight to ten hours a day,” Cecil explains, “unless we have winds exceeding 30 miles an hour or a lightning storm. Then I come down immediately. Otherwise I don’t leave the crane until the day is over.”

After graduating from high school in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Avondale, Cecil knew he wanted to enter the construction business. He completed an apprenticeship program through a local union hall, and started building immediately. Cecil became a crane operator after working as an oiler on a crane, helping to maintain the daily operations. Cecil now pays it forward by helping oilers and other construction workers learn the skills of crane operating, so they, too, can someday be in his “lofty” position.

Construction sites are always busy and it takes a great deal of coordination to get the job done, “which is why it is so important to learn how to work well with others and be calm,” says Cecil. “Communicating well and learning to work effectively with others are the keys to success to this – and any – job.”

When a building or site is complete, Cecil feels a great deal of satisfaction and accomplishment. He is excited to see the progress of the new Mercy Health – West Hospital, and looks forward to walking through its hallways with his grandchildren to reflect on his personal contribution to the hospital’s mission of healing.

Cecil "Rabbit" Howell, Crane Operator

See how Cecil starts each morning.

It seems as though choosing tile would be a simple decision based on interior colors, materials and function. When our nurses were reviewing the materials for patient restrooms, they expressed concern for patient safety.

“Our clinicians were concerned that the tiles selected for the patient restrooms might become slippery when wet,” explains Michael Stephens, President and Market Leader, Mercy Health – West Region Hospitals, “so we put the tiles to a scientific test.”

A test was conducted by ASTM International, an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services.

The test results read like a chapter from a calculus textbook, but the translation is simple: the tile will provide the minimum potential for slips and the maximum amount of protection from germs. More importantly, for our patients and their families, it means peace of mind.

“Mercy Health – Mt. Airy and Western Hills Hospitals have been the recipient of patient safety awards for many years, often ranking in the top five percent of hospitals nationwide” adds Mr. Stephens. “Our commitment to our patients’ safety is paramount in our new hospital and, honestly, for as long as we are caring for Cincinnati-area residents.”

When Mercy Health – West Hospital opens in October 2013, the 250-bed hospital will feature the latest advancements in design for patient care and comfort, all private rooms, and expanded medical capabilities for the West Side. The comprehensive care will include heart care with open heart surgery, a cancer center, an orthopaedics center, a women’s health center, and OB/maternity care. Mercy Health – West Hospital will serve as the center of our growing network of healthcare services throughout the West Side as we continue to enhance access to quality medical care through a variety of services and locations – both inpatient and outpatient.

Dear Friends,

Each day, you can drive along I-74 or North Bend Road or visit this web site and see how rapidly the construction of our new hospital, Mercy Health – West Hospital, is progressing.

There is another important component of our new hospital that is also in development. It’s a component that you can’t see but it will be one that you will experience – exceptional clinical care and compassionate service.

Our leadership team – representing all departments such as nursing, lab, imaging, admitting, food service, and others – is focused on you and how we want you and your family to feel when you enter our new facility. Earlier this month, they toured the construction site for a first look at the physical layout of the new hospital and how we will physically guide you through your health care experience with us.

Now our leaders are working on the “emotional layout” of the new hospital. That is, what are we doing to support you and your loved ones emotionally throughout your visit with us. We are identifying behaviors we can demonstrate that will keep you feeling calm and reassured when you enter our new emergency department with your injured child. We are planning new approaches to make your phone call to schedule a mammogram as easy as possible. We are reviewing services that will comfort your family when you are in surgery.

Our leaders, along with our employees and physicians, have spent years dedicated to providing you with excellent care and service at Mercy Health – Mt. Airy and Western Hills Hospitals. This dedication is also reflected by our teams at Mercy Medical Center Harrison, our numerous Mercy Health Physicians offices (formerly known as Mercy Medical Associates), our senior living communities, Mercy Health Terrace and West Park, and Mercy Health – Western Hills HealthPlex.

Now we are working together to ensure that every aspect of care and service you experience at Mercy Health – West Hospital is enhanced to a level that is world class. We want nothing less for you and we expect nothing less of ourselves.

In closing, on behalf of everyone at Mercy Health, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday season. For the New Year, I look forward to continuing to provide you with news and updates as we move closer to the opening of Mercy Health – West Hospital.

Sincerely,

Michael R. Stephens

President and Market Leader

Mercy Health – West Region Hospitals

Care Coordination That Includes Patients

When patients and their family are involved in their care, the healing environment is maximized and safety is also enhanced. Mercy Health – West Hospital will include these patient and family-friendly features:

• Separate patient, family and staff areas in all patient rooms
• Family areas will include sleeper sofas, tables for laptop computers and WiFi
• Separate lighting in each area so patients aren’t disturbed
• Patient Information Board
• Bathrooms in Intensive Care Unit patient rooms for patients and family

Safety and Security Systems

Mercy Health – West Hospital will be equipped with the latest security technology to protect patients, staff andvisitors including:

• Building will have an Access Control Security System that is comprised of card readers throughout the facility will help restrict access
• Security cameras are integrated with the Access ControlSecurity System
• Infant Protection/Wandering Patient Systems are being incorporated in the Family Birth Center and  patient rehabilitation unit
• All security systems are provided with UPS backup protection against power failure.

Noise Reduction

Noise can create physical and psychological stress, reduce productivity, interfere with communication and concentration, and contribute to workplace accidents and injuries by making it difficult to hear warning signals.At Mercy Health we are design our new hospital with the latest materials and technology to keep noise at a minimum.

• Sound-absorbing ceilings and flooring
• Restrooms that act as buffers between active corridors and patient rooms
• Corridor windowsthat allow hospital staff to monitor their patients insteadof disturbing patients in their rooms
• Triple-pane glazing installed on exterior windows in patient rooms
• Cast-in-place concrete frame provides an excellent environment forvibration-sensitive equipment
• Reduced overhead paging

Visibility

Proximity and visual access to patients improves efficiency and quality of care. To optimize visibility, Mercy Health – West Hospital will include:

• Charting alcoves
• View windows in the corridors
• Sliding glass break-away doors in the Intensive Care Unit

Preventing Falls and Infection Through Design

The design of the physical environment can play an important role in reducing falls and hospital-acquired infections. Mercy Health – West Hospital will include the latest design elements in infection and fall prevention:

• Hand washing stations at the entrance to every patient room
• HEPA filtration in the operating rooms, catheterization labs and pharmacy
• Attached toilet room in Intensive Care Unit patient rooms provides better infection control practice compared to swivelette model
• Floor-anchored elements such as casework and toilet partitions are kept to a minimum in patient care areas
• Spray-on fireproofing is not required above the ceilings in most areas due to the cast-in-place concrete frame, which results in a cleaner environment and better infection control
• Ultraviolet lights in air-handling units that serve patient care areas
• Air intake protected from public access
• Minimized horizontal surfaces for ease of cleaning
• Ability to during a pandemic event to isolate 50% of the Emergency Department from the mechanical systems of the rest of the facility and converted to 100% exhaust
• Decentralized nurses’ stations facilitate increased opportunities to observe patientsthereby reducing patient falls
• Patient rooms are designed with the patient toilet along the headwall minimizing the distance patients travel to the toilets
• Trench drain in patients’ toilet rooms offer better drainage coverage and decreased slip andfall potential
• Snow-melt system for the outside of building will reduce potential for falls at the main entrance, Emergency Department entrance, helipad, staff entrance and patient discharge bridge

Evidenced-based Design

It may be surprising that when we standardize rooms and work spaces, it can improve processes and reduce errors. Mercy Health – West Hospital will include the following features to promote standardization:

• Identical hand washing stations in all rooms
• Standardized layout of patient rooms
• Standard floor plans/layouts of the Medical, Surgical units and the Cardiovascular and Intensive Care Units

Automation

Patient safety is also increased when electronic handling of data is maximized. Mercy Health – West Hospital will include the following technology to maximize safety:

• Electronic medical records data drops throughout the entire facility provide connectivity to the hospital’s patient electronic records system, which supports coordinated patient care and treatment
• Call system for patients needing their nurse is integrated with the telephone system to provide instant notification to staff that the patient is requesting assistance
• Tube system/delivery of materials

Maximize Energy, Minimize Fatigue

Mercy Health promotes health and wellness for its employees with many benefits that encourage and support healthy choices. The new Mercy Health – West Hospital will take the commitment one step further with design elements that promote efficiency and reduce fatigue:

• Decentralized charting brings staff closer to their patients and reduce walk time
• Locating supplies in patients’ rooms make it easier and faster for staff to response to their patients’ requests
• Location of staff conference rooms, break rooms and nurse managers’ offices provide more opportunities for collaboration, communication and support
• Skylights bring daylight into the major corridors

Adaptability/Flexibility of Design

Mercy Health – West Hospital will open in 2013, but its design will take it well into the future. The facility has been designedto easily accommodate future technological advancements. To achieve this, building core infrastructure (HVAC, electrical and communication services,materials handling, and vertical circulation) are located outside functional areas toincrease flexibility and allow for changes in technology and medical practice.

Mechanical Systems Redundancy

Redundant mechanical systems will be standard to ensure patient safety during adverse external or internal events.

• Boilers (N+1)
• Chillers (N+1)
• AHU’s have redundant fans
• Dual water and fire service entrances
• Double ended normal power substations
• 100% emergency power generator backup based on historical load data with 96 hours of run time

What features will the new hospital have?
The hospital will offer the latest advancements in patient care and comfort, such as all private rooms, patient-centered rooms that offer more for visitors, and plenty of natural light which is proven to support a healing environment. It will be a state-of-the-art facility with cutting-edge technology and will attract some of the leading physicians throughout Greater Cincinnati.

Services will include a comprehensive cancer program, heart care – open heart surgery, a women’s center, cancer center, Mercy Health family birth center, inpatient/outpatient surgery, 24/7 emergency care, and a neurology program.

When will the new hospital be complete?
Construction will begin in early 2011 and the hospital is expected to be complete by summer 2013.

How many beds will the new hospital have?
The new hospital will have approximately 250 beds, with all patient rooms.  It will cover a total of 550-thousand square feet.

What will happen with Mercy Health Western Hills Hospital and Mercy Health Mt. Airy Hospital?
The two award-winning hospitals will continue to provide exceptional care and grow the services they provide for the coming years.  Only when the new Mercy Health West Hospital is complete, will the inpatient services be transitioned to the new hospital.

Plans are still being considered for the Western Hills and Mt. Airy hospital campuses, but Mercy Health is committed to continuing to provide healthcare services in or near those communities.

How will the hospital campus fit in with the rest of the community?
The campus will maintain plenty of greenspace, helping it blend in with its surroundings.  There will be a walking/hiking trail that will connect to the new Green Township parks that are currently being developed, a water garden to help provide a peaceful setting, and natural buffers that will be designed to reduce noise.

There will also be a community center that will be available for local organizations to reserve for meetings, events, and conferences.