December 25, 2024
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OSF opens new Home Medical Equipment center in Ottawa

Facility’s goal is to shorten hospital stays; provide equipment necessary to care for patients at home

By Derek Barichello

The Rev. Father Mike Driscoll leads attendees in prayer at the blessing of the recently-opened OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center's Home Medical Equipment center at 1614 E. Norris Dr. in Ottawa. (Derek Barichello - dbarichello@s)

OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa opened recently a new facility its administrators say will help shorten hospital stays.

OSF Health celebrated Monday the opening of its Home Medical Equipment center located inside the OSF/MG Ottawa building at 1614 E. Norris Dr. with a blessing from the Rev. Father Mike Driscoll.

The store offers medical equipment geared toward home health care, such as CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure) and BPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) ventilator machines, oxygen, crutches and walkers, among other equipment designed to continue care for patients at home.

“As soon as someone who needs home care is let go from the hospital, they may come to our lobby and get their equipment here,” said Lonna Rossiter, a certified respiratory therapist. “We work with them to show them how to use equipment.”

OSF Administrator Dale Brown said the more efficiently the hospital can release patients, the more space is available for the next round of patients.

“It saves bed time,” Brown said of the equipment. “If we are able to discharge patients quicker, it helps us keep beds available for other patients and ensures we are able to treat everyone.”

The Home Medical Equipment center will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.