As construction of the new Mercy Health – West Hospital continues, quality and patient safety continue to serve as the foundation of this new sophisticated facility – even when it comes to selecting the tile for patient restrooms.
It seems as t
hough 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.
