MercyOne Parent Company Invests in North Iowa Critical Care
May 7, 2025
The Livonia, Michigan based parent company of MercyOne, Trinity Health, has awarded MercyOne North Iowa’s Critical Care Unit $120,000 through its Trinity Assurance Grant Program. Part of a larger $1.5 million initiative to fund pilot projects that improve patient safety and quality of care, this investment supports MercyOne North Iowa’s ongoing commitment to innovation and better patient outcomes. As part of its mission to deliver high-value care in the communities it serves, Trinity Health continues to invest in sites like MercyOne North Iowa that actively pursue advancements in clinical excellence. With this grant our CCU team is piloting the LEAF system, a wireless wearable sensor that monitors patient turning and repositioning while hospitalized, crucial for reducing incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs). Director of Critical Care and Nursing Administration, Emily Orton, was instrumental in applying for this grant and bringing the new system to North Iowa’s CCU, encouraging development of innovative solutions to priority care needs.
“The most critically ill patients come to our CCU from all over northern Iowa – many of whom are immobile for extended periods,” explains Emily. “This innovative technology will help us improve care outcomes for our sickest patients through improved monitoring and repositioning, reducing incidence of HAPIs.”
Guided by the leadership and vision of Britney Meyer, Quality and Safety Excellence Nurse for the CCU, MercyOne North Iowa is advancing critical care by integrating the LEAF system to elevate quality and safety standards. This initiative aims to increase hospital-wide patient turn compliance for high-risk populations in the critical care unit, while significantly reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) among these vulnerable patients.
The Critical Care team at MercyOne North Iowa provides lifesaving care for the region’s most critically ill patients. As the only Level III Trauma Center serving our large rural area, our team uniquely delivers this highly specialized care close to home. Philanthropy is essential in helping ensure that CCU patients receive the best possible outcomes when they need it most. Support from grants and generous donors directly translates into advanced technologies, safer care environments, and a stronger future for critical care in North Iowa.
Support Critical Care at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center by visiting MercyOne.org/NorthIowa/Giving.
Pictured at top: Leaf Super User, CCU RN Jenni O’Donnell, proudly navigates the Leaf Dashboard and holds a Leaf sticker.
