Southern Wisconsin Times

Beloit Health System and Dr. Andrew Dean, Emergency Medical Director for the Stateline Regional EMS, have expressed disappointment over the Planning Commission's decision to approve Mercy Health's signage exceptions. This decision was made despite a recommendation from city staff to deny these exceptions due to concerns about excessive sign area, height, and size.

Dr. Dean emphasized quality-of-care concerns regarding the proposed signage by Mercy Health. "The proposed excessive signage will confuse the public about the differences between the Emergency Department proposed by Mercy Health and the Emergency Department on the Beloit Memorial Hospital's campus," he stated. He highlighted that Mercy Health’s facility does not offer the same level of services as Beloit Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department, which is a Level III Trauma Center equipped with specialists for life-saving care.

A key difference noted is that Beloit Memorial Hospital has a Cardiac Catheterization laboratory (Cath lab), crucial for patients with serious cardiac conditions who may require immediate transfer if they present at Mercy Health ED lacking such facilities.

Additional disparities include a lack of specialized equipment and services like stroke and trauma care at Mercy Health ED, reduced patient care capacity, and limited access to advanced services such as an operating room.

"We need to ensure that our community has access to high-quality, full-service emergency care, and excessive signage will only serve to confuse patients and undermine our ability to provide the best possible care," Dr. Dean added.

Beloit Health System remains committed to delivering high-quality emergency care in Beloit and surrounding areas.