Eaton Rapids Medical Center

ERMC to hold blood drive

Eaton Rapids Medical Center (ERMC) is partnering with the American Red Cross to hold a blood drive on Monday, July 24, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. in the Main Conference Room of ERMC. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. Donating one pint of blood can save up to three lives.

Donors must be at least 17 years old or 16 with parental consent and weigh 110 pounds or more. Donors are also asked to bring identification and know the names of medications they are taking.

Eaton Rapids Medical Center is located at 1500 South Main Street in Eaton Rapids. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit www.RedCrossBlood.org, sponsor code ERMC. Walk-in donors are welcome.

Article posted on July 19th 2017. - Article Permalink

ERMC earns ISO certification

Eaton Rapids Medical Center (ERMC) is the first hospital in the Greater Lansing region to be ISO 9001:2008 certified. ISO 9001:2008 is a quality management system used by performance-driven organizations around the world to ensure quality, safety and efficiency. The system was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), an independent, non-governmental international organization that creates standards and specifications for products, services and systems. ISO methodologies have been adopted by almost every industry, including manufacturing, technology, food safety, agriculture and healthcare.

The certification was issued by DNV GL following an annual, unannounced accreditation survey of the Medical Center in June. DNV GL is the leading accrediting body of US hospitals integrating ISO quality compliance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation. The accreditation program encourages hospitals to openly share information across departments and to discover improvements in clinical workflows and safety protocols. While on site for the annual three-day audit, DNV-GL surveyors validated that Eaton Rapids Medical Center abides by rules and regulations at all times by witnessing patient care and confirming that operations match policies and procedures.

"ISO certification makes us an elite hospital that meets an additional level of quality standards," said Kristine Allen, Chief Operating Officer at ERMC. "This journey has allowed us to optimize operations and enhance customer service with consistency and increased effectiveness. ISO standards help us map out and study entire processes to identify areas for improvement, reduce errors and most importantly, improve outcomes for our patients."

Article posted on July 12th 2017. - Article Permalink

ERMC brings awareness to mental health in Fourth of July parade

Eaton Rapids Medical Center (ERMC) took a more serious approach to their display in the Eaton Rapids Fourth of July parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. The hospital's contribution spotlighted depression and suicide awareness, and aimed to connect citizens with mental health resources. A group of hospital staff and volunteers walked in the parade and carried signs displaying local mental health statistics. Signs also directed people to local services and gave tips on how to take small steps at home to improve mental well-being.

Data from the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) survey inspired the hospital to conduct this campaign. The MiPHY asks 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students about their health-risk behaviors, including substance use, nutrition, mental health and safety. The 2015-16 Eaton Rapids MiPHY survey shows 1 in 3 Eaton Rapids middle and high school students reported signs of depression in the past year, feeling "so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities." The survey also found that 1 in 4 Eaton Rapids 9th grade students reported seriously considering suicide in the last year and 1 in 5 made a suicide plan.

ERMC hopes to help change these statistics by improving outreach and connecting people with resources through events like the parade. In addition to educating residents about mental health, parade walkers handed out community mental health resource guides and magnets with contact information for ERMC Mental Health Services, Community Mental Health Crisis Services and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Children were given play putty and stress balls along the parade route.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, immediately call 800-273-TALK (800-273- 8255). This is a free, 24/7 confidential service that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information, and local resources. You can also text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. This free text-message service provides 24/7 support to those in crisis.

Article posted on July 5th 2017. - Article Permalink