Patients 'All Smiles' as They Move into their New Digs

Elmhurst Memorial Hospital staff members were overcome with emotion as the first patient was moved from the old hospital on Berteau Avenue to the

“We’ve been working on this for years,” said Sheri Scott, executive director of marketing and public relations for Elmhurst Memorial. “So literally … the first patient pulled up and we were welling (with tears) and clapping. It’s been emotional and exciting. Very, very gratifying.”

Twenty ambulances staffed with teams of paramedics and nurses—hundreds of personnel in all—began the transport at about 6:30 a.m. As of 11:30 a.m., the move was complete.

“This is a historic day for our organization and for the communities we serve,” Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare President and CEO W. Peter Daniels said in a press release.

Patients in critical condition were moved early on, said Dr. Michelle Meziere, an emergency room physician who helped oversee the move.

There are some unique challenges moving critical care patients, she said.

“They were moved quite differently,” she said. “They came with their own team, with their nurse, critical care transportation, to avoid multiple hand-offs along the way. We wanted to keep their move continuous and with one team of people who know them well.”

The goal was to complete the move “as though it never happened,” she said, and all patients were moved without complications.

“I’ve been monitoring them as they’re coming in, and all of them have been all smiles and loved their ambulance ride,” Meziere said. “They really have been great patients, and they’ve all been fine.”

It’s not just the 100 or so patients who are pleased with their new environment. Staff members are thrilled with the efficiency built into the new campus, as well.

“It’s just an amazing place,” Meziere said. “The process that went into creating this building is just going to help us do our job more efficiently.”

Equipment, operating rooms and patient rooms all are in close proximity.

“That’s huge for us,” Meziere said.

All patients have private rooms in the new building, too, which also is a big change.

“It’s such a better situation for the staff and the patient,” Scott said.

The 866,000-square-foot facility features a state-of-the-art emergency department,  spacious surgical suites and the latest in medical technology.