By Liz Marthaler 

Beyond the obvious Emergency Room services, do you know what Mercy Hospital can do for you?
Mercy Hospital offers a wide range of surgical procedures.  The most common procedures are colonoscopies.  Other common surgeries done here in town are gall bladder, hernia, thyroid, and appendix.   Biopsies can be done here, colon re-sections and mastectomies as well.  Cesarean births are done in the surgery department, too.  Cataract surgeries are done frequently here on an outpatient basis.
After your surgery or illness, Mercy Hospital has many ways to help you recover.  
The therapies offered right here are Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy and Physical Therapy.  These therapy departments also work with the Mercy Home Care Services (Home Health) to provide healthcare in your home if that works for you.  
Cardiac Rehabilitation is a very busy department, helping heart patients with their recovery
It is an exercise program for people who have heart disease, had a heart attack or had open heart surgery.  Referrals are set up through the patient’s physician.  There are three phases:  phase 1 is in-patient rehab which is completed in the hospital where the pass surgery is done or the stent is placed. Mercy Hospital provides phase 2  (outpatient rehab and  is covered by insurance and Medicare) and phase 3  (also out-patient and  is a self-pay program for clients who wish to continue their rehab process).
Mercy Hospital has a full service dietary and nutrition department.  A full time social worker is available for patients, along with a Spiritual Services Director.  
The Young People’s Healthy Heart Program  is the prevention and public health arm of Mercy Hospital, providing nutrition and exercise programs, including the diabetes prevention program and ON THE MOVE, to schools and the entire Mercy service area since 1980.  It also works with businesses and organizations related to worksite wellness.  Call 845-6456.
Faith in Action is a  program based out of Mercy that organizes volunteers to serve people other people in our community.
The on sight laboratory and pharmacy make tests and medications easily accessible whenever needed.  Mercy’s radiology department is state of the art, offering local access to MRI, CT, Fluoroscopy, Bone Density and Sonogram.
The Baby Place, where babies are delivered, is a wonderful place to bring your baby into the world.  The care is often one to one, one nurse to one patient.  
The Physical Therapy department is available by appointment, no referral is necessary if you are a Blue Cross patient.  Included in this department are Sports Medicine and Women’s Health.
New to Mercy Hospital is the Sleep Lab. If you have sleep issues and consult your doctor, because sleep testing can be done right here at Mercy in one overnight stay.
Also available at Mercy, through Hi-Line Medical is healthcare equipment such as oxygen tanks and concentrators, nebulizers and CPAP and BiPAP machines. These are available either for rent or for sale.  Phone 845-6529.
Another way Mercy Hospital offers local healthcare is by bringing in visiting clinics such as Podiatry, Orthopedic Services, Mammography and Counseling.
Our community is fortunate to have such a full service and well-staffed hospital.  Mercy Hospital strives to offer the best healthcare possible and in the most convenient way possible for the people of Valley City and the surrounding communities.  Be sure and ask your physician if you can have your medical testing done locally.  If you have any questions about our services or would like to set up speakers or appointments, please call 845-6400.
Your Health column is coordinated by Mercy Hospital in Valley City.