Merritt named nurse manager of freestanding emergency department
When it opens later this year, the state-of-the-art facility will offer west Mobile residents convenient access to the most advanced emergency and diagnostic care available in the area.
Philip Merritt, RN, BSN, has been named nurse manager of USA Health’s freestanding emergency department (FED) in west Mobile. The facility, located at 171 Hillcrest Road, is scheduled to open in late 2021.
Merritt has worked in the emergency department at USA Health University Hospital for the past 18 years, first as a staff/charge nurse and most recently as the patient flow coordinator and working supervisor.
During that time Merritt has implemented many clinical and safety improvement projects in the department. He developed a trauma nursing class for new employees and implemented daily safety huddles in the emergency department. He also assisted in the hiring and training of medical assistants for obtaining blood cultures, which resulted in a decrease of contamination rates by 75 percent.
“The motivation behind taking on these projects was my desire to deliver high-quality patient care,” Merritt said. “By identifying areas where we could improve, it increased our ability to meet the ever-changing needs of our patient population.”
Merritt said he is excited to be involved in the growth of USA Health and to provide patient-centered healthcare to the residents of west Mobile. As nurse manager of the FED, he already has started working on projects in preparation for the facility’s opening.
“Philip's ability to communicate and collaborate with all team members, and his highly developed clinical skills will prepare him well in this new role,” said Lisa Mestas, MSN, chief nursing officer at USA Health.
Edward Panacek, MD, MPH, professor and chair of emergency medicine, will serve as the initial medical director of the freestanding emergency department. He plans to hire a medical director and a medical operations director by the end of the year.
When complete, the state-of-the-art facility, part of region’s only academic health system, will provide people who live and work in west Mobile with convenient access to the most advanced emergency and diagnostic care available in the area.
USA Health anticipates up to 15,000 patient visits per year at the location, which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
