Outpatient Center: People Will Be Wowed!

When patients, customers and community members speak, officials at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital listen – and respond. Customer satisfaction surveys, patients’ comments and staff input have been the catalyst for a host of Outpatient Center improvements that have enhanced the capacity, comfort, convenience and quality of outpatient services. And the timing couldn’t be better. Like so many other hospital services, outpatient visits to Joint Township Hospital have been climbing steadily, reaching nearly 50,000 in 2004.

With the recent construction project and the outpatient facility expansion of 5,000 square feet, patients aren’t the only ones who will notice the enhancements in their community hospital. Many changes have been geared toward improving the experience for the family members and friends who come along to support the patient.

"In planning the changes to our facility, we really listened to our customers about their needs," said Vice President of Patient Care Services Debra McKee. "We think people will be ‘wowed’ when they see what they have in their own community."

The enhanced experience begins to unfold even before a person steps inside the Outpatient Center. A new, canopied drive-in entrance provides direct access to the front door, replacing the long walk from the parking lot that was troublesome for many of the center’s users. Once inside, visitors are just steps from the new reception area that features clearly marked directions to various destinations.

"We pride ourselves on making everything accessible and convenient," McKee said. "That was our number one priority in developing the new areas."

Patient-Centered Enhancements

For the small percentage of patients who are not pre-registered, three separate rooms have been created where registration information can be shared in complete privacy with a designated staff member.