|
Questions & Answers
Q– What is South Jersey Healthcare Elmer Hospital?
A– For more than a half century, Elmer Hospital has been committed to introducing the latest technology and expanding its facilities to meet the needs of its growing service area in parts of Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland and Atlantic Counties. Since its inception in 1950, Elmer Hospital has remained a hallmark of quality health care for the many families that have come to know this facility as a place of true healing and compassionate care.The hospital is also recognized for providing consistent and exceptional patient experiences.
Over the past five years, SJH Elmer Hospital has expanded its facilities and capabilities through the opening of a state-of-the-art intensive care unit, a modern surgical services department, a new child/adolescent intensive outpatient mental health unit, and a new MaternityCare Center. Learn more about SJH Elmer Hospital on the SJH website.
SJH-Elmer Hospital at a glance:
- Beds:96
- Employees:485
- Accreditation and Memberships:JCAHO, VHA
- Inpatient Admissions:3,697
- Outpatient Surgeries:1,770
- Endoscopies:1,100
- Births:334
- ER Visits:16,569
Q– Why does South Jersey Healthcare need to improve Elmer Hospital?
A– In order to continue to fulfill its mission, SJH Elmer Hospital is preparing to expand its Emergency Department to meet the growing demand of the communities it serves. Substantial residential and commercial growth (a 5.7% increase between 2005 and 2010) is anticipated in the SJH Elmer Hospital service area.
The ability to adequately respond to current and future health care needs of the residents of this growing region is paramount to South Jersey Healthcare. In a recently published national report card on the State of Emergency Medicine released by the American College of Emergency Physicians, New Jersey ranked 49th among the states for the number of hospital emergency rooms per 1 million people, 38th for its lack of trauma centers and 33rd in the number of emergency physicians per 100,000 people. The number of emergency departments nationwide has declined by 14%.
Not enough doctors and not enough treatment centers means not enough patients are getting quality care soon enough. Quick access to emergency services is crucial to survival and recovery rates. As the report’s summary notes, emergency medicine needs to be there “where you need it, when you need it.”
Q– What is the purpose of the Capital Campaign?
A– ER Expansion - The planned Emergency Room renovations will significantly enhance patient care by expanding the current 10-bay unit to a modern 16 bed facility. New features will include:
- Two triage rooms (one larger for stretcher exams)
- Two 250 square foot trauma rooms
- Four fast track bays
- Six exam/treatment bays
- Two multi-use examination rooms for isolation, psychiatric, pediatrics, orthopedics and gynecology
The renovation will also add four shower decontamination rooms, separate pedestrian and ambulance entrances while retaining and utilizing the existing rear entrance platform and ramps.
The Emergency Room renovation will also enhance the working conditions for the SJH Elmer Hospital staff. New staff
area features will include:
There will be continuation of all services during construction.Overall renovations will double the size of the ER from 5,304 square feet to over 10,000 square feet.
Expansion of Elmer Radiology Department to include MRI - To further enhance patient care, SJH Elmer Hospital is seeking to add Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services to its Radiology Department. Traditional imaging technologies, such as x-rays, effectively detect dense tissues, particularly bones. Using powerful magnetic fields and radio frequency pulses, the new 1.5 Tesla MRI unit will generate a detailed view of all sorts of body structures, including soft tissues.It will also include corrective software to produce clearer images of patients who have trouble keeping still during the procedure.
MRI studies are commonly used in orthopedics to examine joints and soft tissues such as ligaments and muscles that might not be visible by an x-ray or CT scan. The studies are also very effective for vascular imaging and will further expand the services available to patients in the new Wound Care Center. Wound care patients often require an MRI, which enable physicians to examine lower extremity arteries and check for blood flow.
MRI studies also provide an enhancement in the area of women’s imaging. Many women who have suspicious mammograms or ultrasound studies receive an MRI for follow up.Using the study, radiologists can examine image “slices” of the breast, similar to a CT scan, which enhances their ability to determine the density of tissues or tumors.
MRI is a much-needed service which will support many physicians and departments at the hospital. Adding MRI services will also provide a great convenience to all SJH Elmer Hospital patients, who must currently travel to the SJH Regional Medical Center in Vineland for the study.
Q– How much will these improvements cost?
A– The total cost of the ER expansion and the MRI facility for Elmer Hospital is projected at $6.9 million. The South Jersey Healthcare Foundation has set a goal of raising $1.5 million towards this project with the desire and hope to even exceed this goal. The remainder of the dollars needed will be funded by operations from the SJH system.
Q– Are campaign pledges legally binding? What happens if I lose my job or move out of the area?
A– Pledges are a promise to fulfill a commitment and are technically not legally binding. They are viewed as a moral and personal commitment. Donors often make pledges over a period of 3 to 5 years using weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual payment options structured to meet an individual’s needs. Many people who move from the area often wish to continue their pledge commitment and make the necessary arrangements to do so.
Q– Are campaign gifts tax-deductible? Will I get a receipt and written confirmation of my gift?
A– All campaign gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Please consult with your financial advisor or accountant regarding your tax situation. Each donor will receive a receipt and written confirmation of their gift for tax purposes.
Q– What is South Jersey Healthcare?
A– South Jersey Healthcare (SJH) is a charitable nonprofit healthcare organization in which hospitals and doctors work together to provide an enhanced delivery of healthcare services to the residents of the southern New Jersey region.In 1988, SJH was established through the merger of the then existing Bridgeton and Millville community hospitals. Newcomb (in Vineland) and Elmer Hospitals were added to the system in the 1990’s. In 2004, SJH closed both Millville and Newcomb Hospital and most of Bridgeton Hospital and opened the new state-of-the-art SJH Regional Medical Center in Vineland.This new facility is southern New Jersey’s only 21st century hospital dedicated to enhancing the delivery of responsive, efficient health care.
Q– What is the South Jersey Healthcare Foundation?
A– The SJH Foundation is the fundraising arm of South Jersey Healthcare.Our mission is to establish renewable financial resources that:
- Provide dollars for needed community and healthcare programs and services
- Purchase vital medical equipment and technology
- Assure the continued growth of an endowment fund dedicated to the support of the SJH mission to provide quality healthcare for all
| 
