In 2009, there were more than 50,081 visits to the St. Clare Hospital Emergency Department (ED). This year, that number is anticipated to exceed 52,000. This increased need is testing the limits of the department’s capacity. To remedy this situation, the Franciscan Foundation has launched a campaign to raise $1.2 million. Currently, the campaign is nearing the $1 million mark.
Gifts to the St. Clare ED campaign will help raise the $700,000 needed to activate a $500,000 challenge grant from a longtime St. Clare supporter. The fundraising campaign continues even though construction is under way. Among other benefits, the project will:
- Speed patient assessment and admissions by doubling the number of triage rooms
- Enhance patient privacy by replacing triage room curtains with walls and doors
- Enlarge triage rooms to allow nurses to perform critical tests without moving patients
When completed, the enhancements will decrease waiting time before patients are able to see a triage nurse and physician or physician assistant. Medical and nursing staff utilization will improve, resulting in greater patient satisfaction.
The capital campaign is co-chaired by brothers Toby Murray and Jamie Murray, who are Lakewood residents and local business leaders. For more information or to make a donation in support of St. Clare Hospital, please contact the Franciscan Foundation at 253-428-8467 or email janetdeweese@FHShealth.org.
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