DONATE
En Español
Home
|
Sitemap
Caring for the Community
Main Hospital - (773) 484-1000
2875 W. 19th Street
Chicago, IL 60623
About Us
Departments & Services
Find A Doctor
Wellness Programs
Careers
How You Can Help
Contact Us
About Us
Our Management Team
Annual Report
Quality Assurance
JCAHO Public Notice
IL Hospital Report Card Act
News & Events
Home
>
About Us
>
Community Spotlight
>
December 2008 / January 2009
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT - DECEMBER 2008 / JANUARY 2009
The following story originally appeared in
Lawndale News
.
Saint Anthony Hospital Unveils New Emergency Department
By
Ashmar Mandou
It is a gusty Friday morning. The pavement is blanketed with sheets of ice, and the bliss of feeling warmth gone. Yet, staff members of Saint Anthony Hospital have much to smile about and be thankful for this year. "We are really excited to have extended our services to the people of this community," said Saint Anthony Hospital CEO Guy A. Medaglia. Medaglia refers to the new emergency department that was unveiled on Friday, December 12, 2008.
During the ribbon cutting ceremony, residents were invited to view the new 6,600 square-foot emergency department complete with 16 private patient rooms, an increase from the previous 12. The new department is fully equipped to facilitate various situations with their new PACS, Picture Archiving Communication System, technology that enables the emergency department and other physicians to view X-ray and other imaging films directly in the emergency unit or, in some instances, their homes. In addition, an increase number of IBEX charting station, a state-of-the-art technology designed specifically for emergency care. "Another component of the new emergency department is the "fast track" area, which allows patients who don't have serious injuries or illnesses to receive care more quickly, leaving the rest of the emergency department open for those who require a higher level of care," said Debra McGraw, RN, BSN, MBA, director of the Emergency Department.
The average length of stay for an emergency room visit at Saint Anthony Hospital is approximately two hours (national average is three hours) and the wait time to see a physician is about 30 minutes. In both 2006 and 2007, Saint Anthony Hospital's emergency department received four-star rankings for 'overall quality of care" in a satisfaction survey conducted by Professional Research Consultants, a company that performs quality and evaluative research for 224 hospitals nationwide.
One of the prominent features of the newly remodeled emergency department is space and privacy provided to patients. Each room provides a sense of welcome and comfort. "We want to make sure our patients are happy and satisfied with the service our hospital provides to them," said Medaglia. "This is a great hospital and we really want to see our patients living a better life." To help Saint Anthony Hospital's young patients feel more at ease, the waiting room includes a play area and much of the art on the walls are by students from local schools.