Variety – the Children’s Charity Enhances Care at MercyOne Children’s Hospital

Variety – the Children’s Charity awarded MercyOne Children’s Hospital a $129,000 grant to remodel rooms in the MercyOne Pediatric Emergency Department, enhancing care provided to the children and families served.

Thousands of children visit the MercyOne Pediatric Emergency Department each year. This project renovated five exam rooms, two rooms were updated with behavioral health designs and safety standards including recessed cabinet hinges, additional cabinet locks, and the ability to close off the sink and medical-gases from patient access.

“We needed more space for patients who were having psychiatric emergencies to keep them safe and observe them while also maintaining space for other types patients,” said Luke Espelund, MD, FAAM, FAAP, physician in the MercyOne Pediatric Emergency Department. “This renovation has increased our ability to care for children at all acuity levels.”

Room updates also include new flooring and paint, making it a better space for patients and their families. Two rooms were updated with glass doors, which increases visibility into the rooms from the nurses’ station for patient observation.

“Our behavioral health population, post pandemic, has increased both adult and pediatric, said Leasha Trease, BSN, RN, Director of Nursing at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Emergency Department. “The need for more rooms with higher visibility to keep these patients safe was a requirement.”

“This new space helps us by giving us better visibility and increases safety for all our patients,” said Monika Remec-Pritchare, BSN, RN, Supervisor Nurse in the MercyOne Pediatric Emergency Department.

Variety’s support has positively influenced patient care at MercyOne Children’s Hospital through this renovation.

“Everyone at MercyOne Children’s Hospital, especially the care providers in the emergency department, would really like to thank Variety – the Children’s Charity for investing in us and investing in the children of Des Moines,” said Dr. Espelund.

Thank you for your generosity and partnership with MercyOne Des Moines!