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Following the Path to a New ER

Our Direction is Clear. Better Emergency Care.

At a Crossroads

Jersey Community Hospital has been serving this community since 1954. Although many things have changed in healthcare over the years, our primary focus is still you. That's why over the last 10 years, we've built our Wellness Center, set up a Sleep Disorder Center, completely renovated our obstetric department in the Women's Center, added a dedicated on-site MRI and multi-slice CT scanner, and continually recruited the best physicians, nurses, technicians, leadership and support staff.

Recently, we've come to a crossroad with our emergency care. The present Emergency Department was newly constructed in 1994. At the time, the facility - containing six patient treatment areas - nicely met the needs of the 6,000 people who came for service during the year. But as time went on and our community continued to grow, patient visits have more than doubled. In 2010, our Emergency Department provided care to over 12,000 patients.  Working in the same conditions with a 100% increase in patient visits has caused patient wait times to grow! 

Where We're Going

The new ER+ will be built in an "L" shape around the present emergency facility, allowing us to provide outstanding emergency medicine. It will also include the following unique advantages:

• 14 spacious patient care areas
• Dedicated Urgent Care area
• Three separate waiting areas
• Added privacy and comfort for patients
• Ability to effectively triage patients to the ER or Urgent Care
• Expanded care team - adding new RN and Nurse Practitioner
• Soundproof nurses' station - for additional privacy and quiet
• Larger supply rooms and staff support facilities

The Road We've Taken

JCH needs a new ER to help service its growing community. We need to decrease patient wait times, increase privacy and help staff care for patients in a more efficient manner.

Taking the steps to where we are today didn't happen overnight. We actually began thinking about expanding our ER in 2008, but plans were shelved due to the recession.

To come up with our current plan, local architect John Shortal met with JCH ER staff to discover how the space could be adapted to help them be efficient, fast and safe. Floor plans were drawn and presented to the stakeholders, modified, and modified again. Each time they got more user-friendly for staff, as well as more private and comfortable for patients.

While blueprints were being drafted and revised, efforts were also being made to reach our $1,000,000 fundraising goal:

• The JCH Foundation was busy getting pledges.
• The Board seized a unique opportunity (created by the Federal Stimulus plan) in which JCH was issued $7.1 million in Build America Bonds at a 4.5% interest rate.
• Local banks got behind the project and bought all the Build America Bonds within days.

The Road to Completion

Giving Level	Total Pledge Amount
Friend	$100 - $499
Supporter	$500 - $2,499
Advocate	$2,500 - $4,999
Patron	$5,000 - $9,999
Humanitarian	$10,000 - $24,999
Benefactor	$25,000 - $49,999
Founder	$50,000 & beyond

Help us reach our $1,000,000 goal by pledging to the JCH ER+ Campaign. The old drive-through canopy surrounding the Emergency Room has been removed. We've broken ground where the new structure will stand. Now, we need your help to stay on course and complete the new ER by February 2012. All you have to do is:

• Select the giving level you wish to pledge
• Choose between a one-time gift, weekly, monthly, or annual contributions
• Be recognized in the JCH Quarterly newsletter for contributing to our fund
• Make a difference in the lives of everyone we serve!

Contact Lynn Currie at 618-498-8392 or email her at lcurrie@jch.org.