HJAR May/Jun 2022

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  MAY / JUN 2022 63 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalAR.com begin their treatment in the emergency room. As we work hard to care for them, we’re also work- ing with our communities to learn to detect early signs of heart disease so we can begin treatment even sooner.” CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs underwent a rigor- ous, unannounced, on-site review as part of the certification process. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compli- ance with related certification standards. Joint Commission standards are developed in consul- tation with healthcare experts and providers, mea- surement experts, and patients. The reviewers also conducted on-site observations and interviews. “Primary Heart Attack Center Certification rec- ognizes healthcare organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pel- letier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accredi- tation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical pro- cesses and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for cardiac patients.” CHI St. Vincent recently completed a $2-million expansion of the hospital’s cath lab. The renova- tion project includes state-of-the-art equipment, hybrid interventional catheterization lab resources, 50% increased capacity to serve patients, and upgraded hemodynamic systems. Mercy Breaks Ground on Expansion of ICU, ER in Fort Smith Mercy Hospital and community leaders broke ground on a $162.5 million ER and ICU expansion at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. Plans for the expansion were announced in June 2021. During a gathering outside the hospi- tal, Ryan Gehrig, Mercy Hospital Fort Smith pres- ident, said Mercy co-workers, patients, and fami- lies in the region have been eagerly anticipating the hospital’s growth. “We are blessed to have such supportive com- munity members and co-workers helping us look forward to improved healthcare in the River Val- ley,” Gehrig said. “Today marks a huge milestone and a huge step forward.” Gehrig also acknowl- edged the hard work and sacrifices made by Mercy co-workers, especially the past two years during the pandemic. Mercy Fort Smith will expand its emergency department from 29 to 50 rooms and increase capacity in the intensive care unit from 38 to 64 in a design that provides better workflow and flexibility. The new ER will allow for about 25,000 more patient visits per year and include special considerations for infectious disease and behav- ioral health patients. An additional 140 parking spaces will accommodate the expansion, with parking closer to the new ER entrance. In addition, the increase in ICU beds will more than double the number of rooms capable of sup- porting ventilators. The building’s automation sys- tem is being designed to allow floors or pods to be turned into isolation areas as needed.  The ER expansion includes a five-room secured area for behavioral health patients that is designed for patient and co-worker safety. Additional plans include a 22-bed observation unit requiring no renovation in the former ICU space, helipad relo- cation that will improve the patient transport pro- cess, and new gift shop and meeting room space. Father Paul Fetsko, vice president of mission at Mercy Fort Smith, offered a blessing for the new space against a backdrop of Mercy co-workers from the ER and ICU. Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief Bryan Warner also was on hand to discuss the tribe’s focus on healthcare and the impor- tance of working with Mercy to improve wellness throughout the region. Construction on the expansion is being man- aged by McCarthy of St. Louis. Construction is expected to be complete in late 2024. Plans are being developed to minimize the impact to Mercy patients during the construction process. CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs Awarded Advanced Primary Stroke Center Certification fromThe Joint Commission CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and now holds Advanced Primary Stroke Center cer- tification. The recognition makes CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs the only hospital in Arkansas to hold Advanced Primary Stroke Center, Primary Heart Attack Center, and Total Hip and Knee Replace- ment certifications from The Joint Commission. “We see a high prevalence of stroke affect- ing patients across Southwest Arkansas so it’s especially important that they know that they have convenient access to the highest quality of care right here in Hot Springs,” said CHI St. Vin- cent Hot Springs President Douglas Ross, MD. “I couldn’t be more proud of our team and their commitment to patient care. To be recognized for our high standards of care and patient out- comes across stroke, heart attack, and total hip and knee replacement cases is a true honor for our entire community.” CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs underwent a rigor- ous, unannounced, on-site review as part of the certification process. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compli- ance with related certification standards. Joint Commission standards are developed in consul- tation with healthcare experts and providers, mea- surement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted on-site observations and interviews. “We congratulate CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs for this outstanding achievement,” says Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Stroke Associa- tion. “This certification reflects its commitment to providing the highest quality of care for stroke patients.” Jarrett Powell, APRN Joins Washington Regional Emergency Department Jarrett Powell, APRN, recently joined the Wash- ington Regional Emergency Department, where he provides care for patients with acute illnesses and injuries. Powell earned a Master of Science in Nursing Jarrett Powell,APRN