Saint Margaret Mercy's Hammond Campus Converts to Single-Patient, Private Rooms

February 21, 2006

HAMMOND—Saint Margaret Mercy is committed to providing compassionate and respectful care with state-of-the-art facilities and specialized diagnostic and treatment capabilities. It is in keeping with this commitment that we have made most rooms at Saint Margaret Mercy's Hammond campus single-patient, private rooms.

By converting most rooms to private rooms, Saint Margaret Mercy has responded directly to patient demands for greater privacy and comfort during their stay. Patients who stay in private rooms have several advantages: they heal faster, have shorter stays and are less susceptible to disease transmission. Additionally, the reduced disturbances mean less stress, higher morale during their hospital stay and greater patient satisfaction.

"When a patient is hospitalized, it's one of the most vulnerable times in their lives," said Tom Gryzbek, Saint Margaret Mercy's president. "When you are ill you deserve privacy, not only for yourself but for the people visiting you.

"The rooms provide greater patient dignity, personal space and comfort as well as privacy, especially in the era of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which requires health providers and others to protect patient identity and information," Gryzbek said.