July 15, 2011 -- Mercy Medical Center (MMC) announced today it has received formal approval to invest nearly $17 Million in new construction and expansion.  A ground breaking ceremony was held at Mercy Medical Center to announce the addition of a new 40,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Ambulatory Care Center.  This new facility will feature both a new Outpatient Surgery Center and a new Birthing Center, and will be located directly west of the Emergency Department, on vacant land owned by Mercy Medical Center.  This new facility will be connected to the existing hospital by a fully-enclosed walkway. 

The main level will house a welcoming reception area and the surgery department’s two new state-of the-art operating rooms, with future space for two additional.  It will also provide two procedure rooms, 4 recovery beds and 8 private and comfortable day surgery recovery rooms.  For patients who require a longer recovery period following their procedure, the second floor will house eight private extended stay beds, each equipped with a private restroom and full patient amenities.

In addition to the surgical recovery unit, the second level will also be home to the only hospital-based outpatient birthing facility in the Northwest United States.  With eight labor, delivery, and recovery suites, each complete with a large flat screen TV and fireplace, to create a luxurious and comfortable birthing experience.  Mothers who choose to give birth in the new birthing center will be admitted to a suite for the duration of their stay.  The laboring mother will not have to be transferred to a second room once the baby is born, unless complications arise.  If either mom or baby should need additional medical care, it is a quick transition to the hospital to receive appropriate care.  It is a major benefit to the mother and baby by having the birthing center attached to the hospital.  Mothers delivering in the birthing center will also experience a shorter stay, approximately 24 hours, which is typical for a birthing center experience and often preferred by new mothers.

The third floor of the new building will feature two community meeting rooms that boast a spectacular view of the majestic Williston Basin.  Construction on this project is scheduled to begin this month at a cost of approximately $16 Million.

“The addition of the new Ambulatory Care Center is going to provide our region with greater access to high quality care with an enhanced patient experience, often only found in larger communities,” said Matt Grimshaw, President and CEO of Mercy Medical Center. 

Following the completion of the new Ambulatory Care Center, Mercy Medical Center will be expanding the Emergency Department to accommodate the growing needs of the region.  Once the new building has been constructed, Mercy will relocate the Emergency Department to the current Day Surgery space as Day Surgery will then be housed on the first floor of the new Ambulatory Care Center.  By relocating the Emergency Department to the current Day Surgery space the Emergency Department will grow from six patient exam areas to 13 private patient rooms, all of which encircle a central ER nurse’s station.  The expansion of the Emergency Department is scheduled to begin late 2012 at a cost of approximately $1 Million. “Because of this new addition, we are thrilled that we will be able to complete a much needed expansion of our emergency department and offer expanded life saving care to the people of Williston and the entire MonDak region,” said Grimshaw.

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Mercy Medical Center was founded in 1920 by the Sisters of Mercy to provide quality healthcare for the whole person regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or ability to pay. Since then, MMC has become a regional medical center offering a range of services including emergency services, surgery, wellness programs, cancer treatment, home health, hospice, rehabilitation therapies, and many more. Mercy Medical Center is owned by Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), a national nonprofit health organization with headquarters in Denver, Colorado. The faith-based system operates in 19 states and includes 73 hospitals; 40 long-term care, assisted- and residential-living facilities; two community health services organizations; and home health agencies.