Mendy’s Place Wins Award
for Patient Satisfaction
Mendy’s Place at John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Hospital is the North Valley’s only emergency department exclusively devoted to "mending" sick and injured children. And now, the kid-friendly facility that has earned a special place in the hearts of parents has earned something else: the 2006 Showcase in Excellence Award from the Arizona Quality Alliance.
|
 |
| Every kid loves Mendy, the "top dog" in quality. | |
The award was presented to the Deer Valley Hospital by Arizona Quality Alliance representatives Jean Hammelev, chair of the board, and Christopher Stevens, executive director, as part of the organization’s AZ State Quality Awards Program. The award recognizes Mendy’s Place for the processes it employed to improve staff and patient satisfaction after moving into its new, expanded facility last year. Award winners were selected by a panel of judges with more than 48 years of combined experience in quality recognition programs.
"To me, it reinforces what we always knew, that we provide really exceptional service," says Nelson Faux, MD, of Lincoln Emergency Physicians in Phoenix. "Anybody who has ever gone to an emergency department knows how frightening it is for children. It’s a very different experience when you go to Mendy’s Place because it’s really tailored for children. The whole atmosphere is different from the time you walk in until you leave."
A "Completely Awesome" Community Asset
In addition to doubling its patient care capacity last year, Mendy’s Place recently expanded its hours of service to meet the community’s growing demand for pediatric emergency care. The facility is now open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.
"Our strength has always been that we provide emergency care that is separate from the adult emergency room," says Kathy Northrop, RN, the clinical director of Mendy’s Place. "All our care is structured for children, and the young families in our community tell us that’s important to them."
 |
| Mendy has been the mascot of our Deer Valley pediatric emergency center in 1987. | |
|
"What a wonderful asset to the community," says Stephanie Blea, a North Phoenix mother of six. "Before we knew Mendy’s Place existed, I would dread going to the ER. We found out about Mendy’s Place about two years ago. Every time we go in there, they are so nice to us." The staff is very accommodating. They treat my children like they’re human beings. They look into my eyes when they talk to me and ask me questions. They talk to my kids. And they are so efficient. They get us in and out as quickly as they can."
Blea shared a recent experience when she brought her 10-year-old daughter Celeste in with what turned out to be case of strep throat. The nurse swabbed Celeste’s throat during the triage process and the test results were ready by the time Stephanie and her daughter were called into the examining room. "It was completely awesome," Stephanie says.
Designed with Kids in Mind
The facility, which was built in 1998, is named after Mendy, John C. Lincoln’s loveable mascot. All of the medical equipment, supplies and furniture at Mendy’s Place are designed for children. The facility’s brightly colored walls, child-sized beds and waiting room that’s stocked with toys and games make children feel more welcome and less fearful when they need to make a trip to the emergency department.
|
 |
| Bright, kid-friendly decor is part of the charm of Mendy's Place. | |
Stephanie described something else that she loves about Mendy’s Place. "They always have cartoons on, so my kids don’t mind going at all."
Like the rest of the Deer Valley hospital, the 12-bed Mendy’s Place has all-private rooms. Care is provided by pediatricians, emergency physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and pediatric nurses. Staff members have been trained in pediatric assessment, development, disease management and invasive procedures. They are also certified in pediatric advance life support.
North Valley parents are increasingly recognizing the value of Mendy’s Place. While almost 4,700 young patients received care at Mendy’s in its first year of operation, nearly 16,000 children were treated by Mendy’s pediatric medical professionals in 2006.
"It’s like having a second home when you have Mendy’s Place there," Stephanie explains. "I don’t know how I lived without it, and I wouldn’t go anywhere else!"