before they become tumors and, in some cases, determine whether
tumors are malignan or benign. .
The CT Scanner may reduce the need for exploratory surgery, can
horten your stay in the hospital and can ultimately reduce expense.
The level of radiation you receive during an average scan is about
the same amount ci ra 'on you recei during a day in the
sunshine.
- Last year, serious medical problems linked primarily to alcoho or
drug abuse sen nearty 300 area residents to /'I\ercy or Memorial
hospitals.
Area officials estimate that these cases represent less than half the
number of substance abuse cases in our community. Hundreds
more remain unreported.
Substance abuse, a problem tha is increasing at an alarming rate
locally as well as nationally, affects aU of us. And unfil recently­
perhaps because of its nat�re-it as a problem largely ignored by
many.
Earty next year, Mercy Hospital will become the first hospital in this
region to pro . de round-the-clock treatment for alcohol or drug­
related problems. The substance abuse unit will accommodate 40
patients' separate areas will be provided for adolescents and adults.
This new program wiD no only treat the medical problems sympto­
matic of substance abuse but also will be fully staffed to address
the ernooonel and psychological problems associated with sub­
stance abuse withdra al. Staff members in the substance abuse unit
ill include a physician/ director, social worker, psychologists, alco-
holism and occupational therapists and specially-trained nurses.
�cal problems associated with sub ance abuse can be quickly
diagnosed and treated in other departments within the hospital.
The premise on which the new unit is based is universal: no one
afflicted with the physical, psychological or emotional symptoms or
effects of substance abuse should be forced to either travel mUes
for treatmen or, worse, forego help.
H Topi
Ov ThePhone
Free 14 one umber 927-6683 .
E r onder ho the common cold can be prevented or cured?
Ho to deal . h a husband going middl -age crazy ... or a wife with
the post-partum blues? Ho to control your weight hUe quitting
smoking? Haw to talk to your child about everything from a tonsillec­
tomyto sex?
Then you're probably among the 24,000 Twin Cities residents
expected to use lei Med," a tape library of free health infonnation,
during the next year. The service has already received more than
7,000 c Is since' began in August.
By simply placing a phone caD, you can receive pre-recorded, .
physician-� information on more than 200 health-related
DECE BER 15 - 21, 1. 2 THE CITIZE
PAGE 7
topics, including cancer, heart disease, parenting, nutrition, men al
health, diabetes, and many others.
Each tape is numbered, and callers are asked to request topics by
their call numbers. Brochures listing all tapes, topics and call num­
bers can be obtained free by calling the special Tel Med phone
number, 927-6683.
Brochures are also available at most area physicians' offices, den­
tists' offices and health-care clinics and at the information desks a
both fl-.ercy and Memorial Hospitals. Many banks, grocery and re ail
stores have a supply of Tel Med brochures as well.
While Tel Med is not: designed to replace your physician's advice or to
diagnose or treat a medical problem, it does inform, calls early a en­
tion to the signs of illness, and helps in the adjustment to serious
illness. It also performs another important service: it helps you learn
how tostay healthy.
Co 0 idation and Expansion:
A Common Commitment
Early in 1983, a major construction and renovation effort is sched­
uled to begin on the site of Memorial Hospi al, "Phase One" has
been conditionally approved by the state public health departmen
and is the first part of a multi-phase program designed to u . mat ely
consolidate acute care services on that site.
Why is consolidation underway? Quality of care and cost of care are
two key reasons. The idea- of consolidation was seriously considered
as early as 1963-nearty 20 years ago-when studies revealed
costly and unnecessary duplication of services and equipment by
the two hospitals.
In order to maintain our ability to offer health care of the highest
quality, we must prepare to do a number of things: first, to keep our
existing services equipment and staff up-to-date; second to contain
costs in the face of ever-rising expenses' and third, to continue to
add expensive new and sophisticated health care services as medi­
cal science makes them available.
has gro increasingly difficult to meet these needs while main-
taining many duplicative services and programs. ConsoUdation is
designed to make health care delivery more efficient and less costly
by providing acute �are services on one site.
By consolidating certain departments we have already ac ieved an
estimated $371,000 annual reduction in operating costs this year
alone This has resulted from combining the obstetrics depart­
ments' unifying data processing services; jointly operating the die­
tary departments; and combining materials managemen
(purchasing supplies, storage, etc.)
Phase One is slated to include new surgical services tha offer the
. latest in medical technology; 14 critical care beds in 0 uni 5; a ne
28-bed obstetrics unit and family-cen ered birthing faciliti s: ne
admitting, entrance and reception areas; new lobby, business office
and gift shop; and an expanded materials management area.
The total consolidation is not expected to be camp eted for a num­
ber of years. Until that time, activities at both Mercy and Memorial
Hospitals will remain basically unchanged. /'I\ercy Hospital will con­
tinue to provide important medical services induding: emerg ncy
room, hemodialysis, cardiac surgery, cardio ogy and coronary care,
nuclear medicine, and oncology.
A public information program detailing the consolidation project­
why it is necessary and what it means to you-is available to any
community group or organization in erested in this importan ven­
ture. You may schedule it with your group by co acting the
Community Relations Department at 927 -5307.
dentifying Commu ty
To identify health care needs in the community is one 0 the mo
important continuing efforts of Southwestern Michigan Health Care
Association. Family-centered birthing ... Tel Med ... diabetic manage­
ment classes ... adoIescent pregnancy clinics ... these and many more
programs were initiated in response to specific community needs.
MERCY AND MEMORIAL HOSPITALS
BENTO HARBOR AND 8T. JOSEPH