Innovations That Make a Difference

Click on the buttons below to read stories about how Mercy is using innovative tools and communications technology to save lives and improve care for our patients.

A Chilling Experience

Peace of Mind Online

A Dose of Safety

Working As a Team, Serving As a Community

We continue to expand our network of “integrated” physicians who are committed to Mercy’s mission and vision. Today, nearly 1,300 primary care and specialty physicians serve patients through Mercy offices and clinics, and are connected to each other and patients through our electronic health record system. Working as a team is key to helping us broaden access, coordinate services, and better address preventive care and chronic disease management.

Among the Nation's Most Integrated

Modern Healthcare magazine’s most recent list of the top 100 integrated health networks ranks St. John’s Mercy Health Care in St. Louis and St. John’s Health System in Springfield, MO, second and third in the nation, respectively. Having two communities from the same health system in the top three is unprecedented. St. John’s in Springfield held the number one spot in the IHN ranking in 2009 and 2007.

Better Health = Better Lives

Using this team approach, St. John’s Clinic in Springfield, MO, was able to improve outcomes while decreasing healthcare costs for Medicare patients with chronic illnesses. Through a 3-year project, sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Mercy monitored 30,000 patients with conditions such as diabetes and coronary artery disease. For our success in coordinating care and improving the quality of life for patients, Mercy earned national recognition and a significant performance award from Medicare.

A Healthcare Community Without Boundaries

Our goal is to create a consistently exceptional experience, no matter where or how patients receive care from Mercy. That means using new approaches and innovative technology to broaden our physical and virtual reach.

In 2009, Mercy continued implementing a comprehensive, electronic health record (EHR) system. By the end of the year, more than 1,000 physicians and 6 hospitals – including Mercy’s 2 largest facilities – were live on this technology. Mercy is among only 2% of healthcare networks that have such a complete and integrated system. To learn more about Mercy’s EHR system, click here.

Mercy strategically expanded our ministry by assuming sponsorship of St. John’s Mercy Regional Medical Center in Joplin, MO. The hospital’s location and services complement and extend our existing presence in the nearby Mercy regions of Springfield, MO, Northwest Arkansas and Kansas.

We also began development of the Mercy Center for Innovative Care (CIC), a physical and virtual space that will allow us to provide care in new and creative ways. Using the most advanced communications, including mobile and telemedicine technologies, the Mercy CIC will expand access to subspecialists, support primary care and promote research, training and innovation.

Striking Up a Conversation

Whether it’s over the fence or across the Internet, Mercy understands the benefits of having an ongoing dialogue with the people we serve – listening, responding and involving them in their care.

In addition to community forums, advisory panels and focus groups, we created an online customer panel that allows us to capture the voice of our customers. A large number of customers volunteered to share opinions and advice with Mercy through e-mail surveys on subjects such as billing procedures, retail clinics, and preferences regarding physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

Last year, we asked customers to join us on bus tours of Mercy hospitals, clinics and physician offices. From the minute they stepped from the bus, we asked participants to share thoughts about the total experience – covering signage and landscaping and the comfort and layout of each location. As we “walk in the shoes” of customers, we learn firsthand what people really value.

Another way we are staying connected is through a new service that gives patients online access to their electronic health record. Through this Web-based service, patients can view their medical history and test results, communicate with physicians, schedule appointments and more – anytime it’s convenient. Mercy began piloting this project in 2009 and will expand the service in the coming year.

Let your voice be heard. Join our online customer panel.

Together We Are Stronger

Improving Community Access

• Mercy Health System of Oklahoma launched a rapid access program of nurses who provide appropriate, around-the-clock care.
• St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis implemented a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit transport team that provides 24/7 land and air transportation for critically ill infants.
• St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, MO, became affiliated with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, bringing St. Jude treatment protocols to the region and enabling families to participate in clinical research trials.
• St. John’s Hospital–Lebanon, MO, expanded cancer services in the region through the St. John’s Curry Cancer Center.

Partnering With the Community

• St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith, AR, partnered with Hamilton House to provide comprehensive physical, mental and advocacy services to children and families affected by child abuse.
• Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas donated the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus to the Jones Trust. The campus has been transformed into a center for nonprofit agencies, healthcare facilities and educational services.
• Casa de Misericordia, a domestic violence shelter and education center that is part of Mercy Ministries of Laredo in Laredo, TX, is active in statewide public policy, especially legislative issues that affect those fleeing from a violent environment.

In the Spotlight

Our facilities consistently are recognized for providing the highest quality, compassionate care:

• Mercy Health Plan’s Mercy MedicareADVANTAGE was named a top-ranked Medicare health plan by US News & World Report.
• Oklahoma Heart Hospital was named one of the top 100 heart hospitals in the nation.
• Magnet designation for Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City, first awarded in 2005, was renewed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
• A St. John’s Mercy Medical Group pediatric practice in St. Louis was certified as Missouri’s first patient-centered medical home.
• St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith, AR, Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City and St. John’s Health System in Springfield were named Consumer Choice Award winners by the National Research Corporation.
• St. Joseph’s Mercy Health Center in Hot Springs became the third business in the state to receive the Ambassador Award for winning Arkansas’s large-company Gold Award for 3 consecutive years.
• Casa de Misericordia, part of Mercy Ministries of Laredo, was recognized and accredited by the U.S. Board of Immigration.
• St. John’s Mercy Health Care in St. Louis was recognized among the 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare magazine.