Staff Report

ROCKFORD – Mercyhealth, on Thursday, announced the addition of a 17-bed sub-acute care unit at Javon Bea Hospital–Rockton, 2400 N. Rockton Ave.

The $5.3 million in planned renovations reflects Mercyhealth’s continued commitment to invest in the Javon Bea Hospital–Rockton Avenue campus and increase access to care for patients. As part of the addition, Mercyhealth will add at least 35 positions, which will include a physician, nurses, therapists and support staff.

The sub-acute unit will care for patients who are no longer sick enough to require or justify hospitalization but are not medically ready to be discharged to a skilled nursing facility or their own home. Admission to the unit will be limited to Mercyhealth hospital patients.

“This approach is very successful at our hospital in Janesville, where we have operated a five-star sub-acute care unit since 2003,” Mercyhealth President and CEO Javon Bea said. “This type of unit results in better care coordination and achieves better outcomes for at-risk patients.”

Some examples of patients that might benefit from the sub-acute care unit include those with kidney disease, severe infection, neurological issues, heart disease or congestive heart failure, respiratory concerns, strokes, and orthopedic fractures.

“We thank the Illinois Health Facilities and Planning Review Board and staff for their thoughtful process and consideration of our application,” Bea added. “We anticipate the renovation to be complete by the end of 2020.”

In addition to the $5.3 million sub-acute care unit, Mercyhealth has also invested or will be investing nearly $70 million in renovations at the Rockton Avenue campus, including dozens of service areas such as the Orthopedic Institute, EMS training center, pharmacy and lab, cancer and infusion centers, dialysis, the helipad, clinical education, medical affairs, respiratory therapy, sterile processing, management services and data center, central supply, medical records, and infrastructure improvements.

The most recent upgrades include a makeover of the Intensive Care and Medical/Surgical Units, and a newer, modernized look to the majority of the hospitals’ private patient rooms, nurse’s stations and hallways. This phase of construction will be completed this spring.

“We are proud of the impact we have made over the last four years in the Rockford region,” Bea said. “‘Our One Hospital, Two Campuses’ plan has shown our commitment to all sides of town as we improve our Rockton Avenue campus and opened our $505 million Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside campus on I-90.”