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New Mercy Hospital of Tiffin campus nearing completion |
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Written by LAURIE STEVENS, Chronicle Writer
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Thursday, 03 April 2008 |
TIFFIN—Better health care technology, streamlined services, private rooms and convenient parking are just some of the improvements in store for patients at Mercy Hospital of Tiffin this summer.
The Catholic hospital in Seneca County plans to open its new $66.4 million facility near the intersection of U.S. Route 224 and state Route 18 July 27. The majority of services located at its existing campus about a mile away will move to the new site.
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| More than 70 percent of construction on the new Mercy Hospital of Tiffin is complete, and the $66.4 million facility is expected to open July 27. (Chronicle photo by Laurie Stevens) |
Since the Sisters of Mercy established the hospital in 1913, four major additions have been made to the original, 95-year-old building.
Charles Ervin, director of facility and support operations for the hospital, says a strategic planning process that began in early 2004 determined constructing a new hospital would be faster and less costly than renovating the aging facilities. Renovations would disrupt services and take about five years, while a new hospital could be completed in two years.
The board of trustees consulted with key community health care, business and government leaders in their decision.
“Unanimously, the community felt that a new hospital was the right direction,” says Mr. Ervin.
Construction on the campus began July 5, 2006. The project is primarily funded by reserves set aside by Mercy Hospital of Tiffin and funds borrowed from Mercy Health Partners. The community has also donated $4.1 million toward a $5 million capital campaign.
Mr. Ervin says the 190,000-square-foot facility will improve significantly on “the physical layout and adjacencies of departments and services” in the old hospital.
“Because we are a building that has grown up around itself, it’s very difficult to find your way in this existing building,” he explains. “There are inefficiencies in terms of patient care and staffing, and even visitor access.”
The first floor of the new, three-story hospital is dedicated to outpatient services, and parking is convenient to all entrances. Mr. Ervin also points out the facility will accommodate the infrastructure needed to utilize the latest health care technology now and well into the future.
The underlying philosophy of the new hospital is “exceptional service and exceptional experiences,” says Mr. Ervin.
“We want this to be a very welcoming and hospitable facility,” he explains. “We’re not going to do anything unique in health care, but we’re going to do everything very well.”
Stone incorporated into the design of the lobby will create a “lodge-type” ambiance. Room service will be available, and other “hotel services” like a concierge may be added in the future. All rooms will be private and more comfortable for patients and their families.
“We know how important the family is in providing for the care of the patient,” says Mr. Ervin. “If a family member wants to stay overnight with a patient, we’re accommodating that.”
The chapel, located beside the main entrance and accessible from the first and second floors, is another “prominent feature of the new facility,” he adds.
The address of the new Mercy Hospital of Tiffin is 45 Saint Lawrence Drive. The street entering the campus was named to honor the Roman saint for his example of protecting the poor and needy.
All existing hospital services will move to the campus except for a radiation therapy center opened in October 2004. A newer office building beside that center will also be retrofitted to provide medical oncology services in the future.
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