Mission Statement
We will provide to the people of the Tri-State area, high quality, compassionate health care services within the available resources. Health care services will be provided to prevent illness, relieve suffering, aid in health restoration and promote wellness. Health care education will be provided to the patient, the community and other health providers. These services will be cost-effective so that they are affordable to the greatest number of people being served. We will provide necessary services to any person, without discrimination, within the financial limitations of the organization.
Statement of Role
To fulfill the mission of East Liverpool City Hospital, we will provide high quality, cost-effective, primary and secondary health care services to the people of the Tri-State area in a compassionate manner. We will cultivate and maintain cooperative relationships with other providers of health care services. Because of these relationships, the community will have access to services not provided by East Liverpool City Hospital. These relationships can also provide services that are more cost-beneficial when cooperatively provided.
We will be a primary source of health care information for our community. We will cooperate in the provision of education to the community, patients and health providers. We will emphasize education that prevents illness, relieves suffering, restores health and promotes wellness.
We believe one of the most important resources in providing care to our patients is our employees. They will be treated and will treat each other with respect, honesty and fairness. Leadership will emphasize concern for the individual, as well as for the organization, and will provide an atmosphere for personal growth.
We recognize the existence of a symbiotic relationship with the Medical Staff and Allied Health Professionals in which they and the organization function as colleagues, co-venturers and competitors. This relationship is based upon integrity with mutual respect and dignity.
We recognize the valuable contributions provided to the hospital by all volunteers, including members of the Board of Trustees. It is through their hard work and dedication that they earn the respect of the organization. They will be treated, and will treat each other, with respect, honesty and fairness.
It is recognized that the provision of equipment and physical facilities consistent with available financial resources is essential in order to accomplish the mission of East Liverpool City Hospital.
As a responsible corporate citizen, East Liverpool City Hospital will share its talents by participation in community affairs.
History
East Liverpool City Hospital owes its existence to a group of women of the community "who saw the great need of a hospital." The turn of the century was a boom time for East Liverpool, the center of the U.S. pottery industry. The city's many potteries turned out dinnerware by the millions of dozens, boasting "we set the tables of America." Yet surgeries were performed in doctor's offices and nursing care was provided in private homes.
The City Hospital Association was organized Jan. 30, 1896, by a group of the city's leading women, meeting in the old YMCA building on W. Fifth St. The association was chartered by the state that same year. Property on Wall Street was purchased March 18, 1897, but no building funds became available and that land eventually was sold. The present site was acquired in September 1903.
Through funds raised by these concerned women, the first hospital building was erected on Sixth Street at a cost of $25,000. Opened Jan. 1, 1905, it had 52 beds in wards and 12 private rooms. Care was provided by student nurses in the hospital's Training School of Nursing under supervision of head nurses and a superintendent. The average length of stay during this era was 28 days; the number of patients admitted each year was less than 300.
The First Addition to the hospital was erected in 1911 on Fifth Street, followed by the Fireproof Addition (West Wing) in 1931. A major building program after W.W.II included the three-story North Wing (1954). The four-story Metsch-Harker Building behind the hospital was erected in 1964 for the nurse training program. A one-story addition to pediatrics and the employee cafeteria were added in 1966. The main hospital building, the six-story East Wing, was completed in 1977 at a cost of $11 million. A comprehensive $9 million renovation and construction project (1990-94) improved access, utilization and facilities.
In 2005, as it celebrated its 100th Anniversary, the hospital broke ground for its new North-East Addition. Investing more than $18 million in capital funds, the hospital expanded its emergency room services with a modern facility that includes private patient rooms, trauma beds, dedicated lab and x-ray services, an ortho clinic, isolation rooms and decontamination capabilities. The new ER became fully functional in 2007.
The new addition supports a rooftop helipad used to help transport patients to advanced trauma or specialty care facilities. The medical flight crew has direct elevator access to and from the emergency room so that patients can be transferred via air in rapid fashion.
The new addition also houses the 4NE wing of 12 private patient rooms. Recent renovations made most of the rooms on the fourth and fifth floors (except for ICCU) into private patient rooms. The new rooms increase patient privacy and help improve infection control measures.
East Liverpool City Hospital prides itself with its commitment of keeping current with technology and trends in healthcare. Its focus is on patient care and doing what best serves each one.
The hospital's early administrators were a succession of nurse superintendents, the most notable of whom was Nell Robinson, who administrated City Hospital from 1929 to 1971. She was succeeded by Carl Ballerstein (1971-79), Bruce Nielsen (1979-89) and current CEO Melvin R. Creeley (1989-).
Directions
The hospital is located in downtown East Liverpool, adjacent to U.S. Route 30 and Ohio Routes 7, 39 and 11, and near two bridges crossing the Ohio River to Newell and Chester, W.Va. It is half an hour from the new Pittsburgh International Airport, and within one hour of downtown Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Youngstown and Canton.
The address for directional purposes is:
East Liverpool City Hospital
425 W. Fifth Street
East Liverpool, OH 43920
Joint Commission
East Liverpool City Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission.
The public may contact the Joint Commission’s Office of Quality Monitoring to report any concerns or register complaints by either calling 1-800-994-6610 or by e-mailing to complaint@jointcommission.org.
Giving to ELCH
East Liverpool City Hospital is grateful for the generosity of community supporters for financial support to provide better care for its patients. Donations may be made to one of several funds.
Endowment Fund
Bequests in your will or through a trust, insurance policy or other planned giving mechanism can provide a substantial gift to ELCH after your lifetime. Several large bequests, which came to the hospital in the early 1990’s, were set aside by the Board of Trustees as the beginning of the Endowment Fund. This fund is being held in reserve for future capital projects or other significant needs.
To contribute to this fund, call 330-386-2002.
Contributors to Our Mission
Individuals wishing to make general (non-restrictive) contributions to East Liverpool City Hospital are welcome to do so. For information on how to give, call 330-386-2002.
Auxiliary Remembrance Fund
The Remembrance Fund provides a thoughtful and appropriate way to pay tribute to the memory of a friend or loved one. Memorials may be an expression of sympathy, or may celebrate important life events such as birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms or the birth of children. All donations are acknowledged to the donor as well as the family or individual being remembered.
Those wishing to donate to the Auxiliary Remembrance Fund can make checks payable to the ELCH Hospital Auxiliary and mail to P.O. Box 458, East Liverpool, OH, 43920.
Tri-State Chaplaincy Fund
Local congregations, individuals and businesses support the Chaplaincy program and help ensure its continuation through their financial contributions. Donations may be sent to the Tri-State Chaplaincy Fund, 425 W. Fifth Street, East Liverpool, OH, 43920.
