(Joplin, MO) – Mercy’s commitment to keeping patients healthier and out of the hospital includes a focus on those with heart failure, a life-threatening disease that accounts for almost 14% of all deaths across the U.S. With new dedicated programs, patients will be able to manage their disease by visiting fluid management sites on an outpatient basis when symptoms worsen. To date, Mercy has opened nine of these specialized programs across Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and plans to open three more.
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure or CHF, is a chronic, progressive disease in which the heart struggles to efficiently pump blood and deliver oxygen throughout the body. This lack of circulation causes excess fluid to build up in the feet, ankles and lungs, making it difficult for patients to breathe.
“Typically, heart failure patients go to their nearest ER and then spend three to five days in the hospital when they need fluid removed,” said Dr. John Mohart, cardiologist and Mercy’s chief operating officer. “It’s devastating for patients and their families and often creates a revolving door of hospital visits and escalating health care costs for them.”
To improve the care and experience of CHF patients, Mercy is keeping them out of the hospital by managing their fluids in an outpatient setting. Mercy piloted the first fluid management program at Mercy Hospital Washington late last year and saw a significant drop in CHF admissions and readmissions at the hospital.
“Instead of spending several days in the hospital, patients can be treated at one of the new fluid management sites within an hour on average, and then they get to go home,” said Joanie Dutton, a nurse practitioner with Mercy Joplin’s heart care program, where the fluid management program logged more than 300 patient visits in the first few months of the pilot. “We are improving the care and the lives of our patients. I’m proud to work for a health system that’s dedicated to finding ways to improve patient care.”
In Joplin, the fluid management program opened in September 2024, and has seen 325 patient visits. Since opening, it has helped more than 100 patients stay out of the hospital when they’ve needed assistance with fluid management.
“My experience with the heart failure clinic has been wonderful,” said George Largent, a Mercy heart patient since February of 2024. “The nurses have demonstrated current medical knowledge about my cardiac care. Most importantly, the entire staff has treated me with compassion when I needed it the most and with tender admonishment when necessary. My life has been enriched and extended through their care.”
Patients can access treatment at one of Mercy’s fluid management sites after being referred by a Mercy provider (ie: a Mercy primary care physician, cardiologist or a Mercy emergency department). To determine how many days they need to visit the program for treatment, each patient will be assessed by a heart failure specialist on site.
About Mercy
Mercy, one of the 20 largest U.S. health systems and named the top large system in the U.S. for excellent patient experience by NRC Health, serves millions annually with nationally recognized quality care and one of the nation’s largest Accountable Care Organizations. Mercy is a highly integrated, multi-state health care system including more than 40 acute care, managed and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has 900 physician practices and outpatient facilities, more than 4,000 physicians and advanced practitioners and more than 45,000 co-workers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
Reference:
Jordan Larimore, Senior Media Relations & Communications
Mercy Hospital Joplin
409.550.2928
jordan.larimore@mercy.net
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