On July 13th, ThedaCare-Berlin, celebrated their first anniversary of the new 9,000 sq. ft. Emergency Department and the welcome was given by Dr. Craig Batley, Associate Chief Medical Officer and is also a member of the board of directors. Dr. Batley said, “the new ER has skilled experts delivering quality care in a department that has delivered 100-fold.” He said the department facility design paid all attention to detail for the staff to work as efficient as possible.
Tammy Bending, Vice President of Operation at ThedaCare in Wild Rose and Berlin, credits ThedaCare with the foresight to see the need and build the new ER in Berlin. She explained the previous ER was 3,000 sq. ft. and the present ER is 9,000 sq. ft. She said the attention to detail in the design and the input from the Berlin ER staff has made the ER so very efficient and meets the needs of patients and families
Bending said that in addition to the treatment rooms being twice the size as the previous ones, they have a family members room where families can gather if tough decisions arise. There is also a special calming place for patients with a Mental Health crisis. She also added there is a large trauma room equipped with a lift that can lift up to 800 lbs. and a decontamination room with an outside entrance. “For over 20 years they had to set up a tent outside for decontamination,” she added. A triage room includes a chair rather than a bed and it is used for removing fish hooks, sore throat, etc.
She said that in July of 2021 they had 98 more patients than the year before and for the year they had 8336 patients, more than ever served by the Berlin ER, and increase of 17% over 2020.
Dr. Andrew Maes, Urologist, ThedaCare-Berlin, credited his passion for becoming a doctor to Dr. Tom Willett from Green Lake, a family friend and just a wonderful mentor. He said the fundraising campaign for the new ER at Berlin was amazing and the individuals and businesses that donated funds are so appreciated. He mentioned a lady that sent a check for $25, all she could spare, as Dr. Willett delivered all of her four children and she was so thankful.
Shelly Clark, Chairman of the ThedaCare Family Foundation Board, expressed the concern over fundraising just as the pandemic hit. The donors did not disappoint and came through with funds as they realized how much the ER needed improvement and certainly stepped in to help make it all possible.
Kelly Schmude, has been in at Berlin Hospital for 45 years, and in ER for 20 years. She said she was going to retire last year but did not because she wanted to see the project through and wanted to work in the new facility. She said she had some input into what would be included and she expressed gratitude to the donors for making all of her ER wishes come true. “It is a great area to work in – just awesome,” Schmude said. Following the presentations, the donors and guests were given a tour of the ER.
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The entrance to the new ER at ThedaCare-Berlin.