Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center continues the commitment to care for individuals across life's continuum. Our staff and physicians work together to offer quality, compassionate services with the everriding goal of exceeding our customers' expectations.
The following are just a few of the innovative services offered at Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center. For more information on any of these services, call 1-800-ALEGENT (1-800-253-4368) or e-mail.
Pastoral Services
Immanuel Medical Center and Immanuel Fontenelle Home, founded in the tradition of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, are dedicated to extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. This commitment to healing embraces the physical, psychological and spiritual needs of each person.
Chaplains are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to the needs of patients, their families, and the hospital community. Services include:
Prayer and Ritual. Persons of all faith backgrounds may request prayer, annointing, communion or reconciliation according to the tradition of their denomination as well as visits from their faith community representatives.
Worship Opportunities . Worship services at Immanuel Medical Center are held in the chapel on the main floor and may also be viewed on television.
Outreach Services . Spiritual and emotional support are offered to all patients, especially the terminally ill and the recently bereaved. Efforts are made to assist patients to connect with the spiritual and pastoral resources of churches in the community.
Pastoral Services. The chaplains and volunteer staff provide care and support for patients, families and staff which:
- respect the value and dignity of each person
- offer compassion and care for the body, mind, and
spirit of each person
- respond to the spiritual needs of each person
Ethics Center. Many
difficult situations occur daily in hospital or clinical settings. Staff
from the Alegent Health Ethics Center can provide guidance during difficult and
often confusing times. Anyone is welcome to call the Ethics Center,
including patients, families, caregivers and staff. For more
information, see our Ethics
Center Webpage
.
Clinical Pastoral Education. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is theological and professional education for ministry in today's world. Clinical Pastoral Education consists of three programs:
Residency Program - an intense practice of ministry and reflection with peers and supervisors, which focuses on the development of skills for traditional, non-traditional, and institutional ministries.
Summer Program - focuses on the pastoral skills needed to care for people in the hospital and in crisis settings.
Extended Program - designed for persons involved in ministry who desire to enhance pastoral care skills.
Epilepsy Care Program
The Immanuel Epilepsy Care Program is the region's only comprehensive service for specialized evaluation and treatment of children and adults with types of epilepsy that are not responsive to traditional therapies. The people who make up the epilepsy care team are many types of specialists including: a neurologist, a neurosurgeon, a neuropsychologist, clinical psychologists, a clinical pharmacist, specially trained nurses, certified EEG technologists, physical and occupational therapists, social workers and a recreation therapist. All share a commitment to improving the quality of life of epilepsy patients in their care.
Respiratory Therapy Services
Respiratory care services at Immanuel Medical Center provide a full range of services to inpatient and outpatient populations. In addition to the usual respiratory therapy procedures, the staff of 35 therapists provide services for cardiology, pulmonary rehabilitation, pulmonary function laboratory, and surgical services.
Immanuel Medical Center is the only hospital in the state to fully incorporate an advance practitioner program to provide the highest level of respiratory care. The additional training and education our therapists receive allows them expanded roles in non-traditional areas to provide a diverse number of services.
School of Respiratory Therapy has been in existence since 1972 (first respiratory school in the state). The program is accredited by both the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. The success of our graduates is a tribute to the quality of education they receive. For more information, please call (402) 572-2312.
Childbirth Services
Maternity services at Immanuel Medical Center offer the family the option to have their baby with them continuously or to take advantage of our nursery should they need some additional rest. We are able to work with families on an individual basis to meet their needs as a family.
Our childbirth education classes are taught by members of our staff, so you may see a familiar face when you come in to have your baby.
Immanuel supports breast-feeding and works with mothers to make it a successful experience. We are able to work with mothers who are having problems to offer them tools that assist the mother and infant to assure mothers that the infants are getting the nourishment they need to grow.
Volunteer Services
Volunteering at Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center is an excellent way to make a difference, not just in the lives of others, but also in your own. A few examples of volunteer services that support our mission are:
- Volunteers in the surgery waiting area routinely
greet and assist over 200 anxious patients and family members every day.
- Volunteers at the information desk speak with and
assist over 400 people daily, in person or on the phone.
- Volunteers deliver 200 flower arrangements and 1500
"get well" cards to patients on a monthly basis.
- Auxiliary volunteers sponsor fund raising projects and events to provide financial resources to various programs on the Immanuel campus
Imaging Services
Immanuel Medical Center offers state of the art imaging capabilities. We have 6 board certified radiologists with specialized training in ultrasound, vascular interventions, and neuroradiology. Our services include:
- Diagnostic and fluoroscopy - Offered 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. All of our staff are registered or registry eligible by the
American Registry of Radiologic Technologist, RT.(R).
- Mammography - Offered from 7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Friday, and early a.m. times are
available on Saturday. We have 6 certified mammographers on staff who are also
certified in radiology.
- CT Scan (Computed Tomography, sometimes referred to
as CAT Scan) - Offered 7:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and
Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, and 7:00 a.m. - 12:00
p.m. on Saturday. All of our staff are certified Radiologic Technologists and
have their certifications in CT and/or MR by the American Registry of
Radiologic Technologists.
- MR Imaging (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) - We offer
both open and Traditional systems. The Traditional Magnet is open 7:00 a.m. -
8:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. The Open Magnet is open 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday. All of our staff are certified Radiologic Technologists and
have their certifications in MR by the American Registry of Radiologic
Technologists.
- Nuclear Medicine - Offered 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday. All staff are Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologists (CNMT)
and hold certifications in Radiologic Technology.
- Ultrasound - Offered 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday -
Friday and 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 on Saturday. All staff are Registered Diagnostic
Medical Sonographers (RDMS) and are certified Radiologic Technologists. All
have a minimum of 1 board certification specialty and some up to 3, including
Registered Vascular Technology (RVT)
- Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Unit (offered upon request)
Chest Pain Center
The Chest Pain Center at Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center has been in operation for 1 year, and the verdict is in -- this innovative concept in dealing with possible heart attacks is a lifesaver.
Statistics show that 94 percent of people who experience cardiac pain are not having heart attacks. In a coronary care setting, ruling out heart attache can take up to 2 days, at a cost of several thousand dollars.
The Chest Pain Center provides the emergency department physicians with the ability to monitor the patient's lab work and EKG over a 12-hour period, on an outpatient basis in the hospital setting. Patients with obvious heart attacks or patients who are at high risk will be admitted to the hospital immediately. The Chest Pain Center provides a safety net for those patients with less clear cut signs and symptoms.
The experience and level of care in a Chest Pain Center
is a tremendous plus. The "catch rate" of heart attacks stands at 99 percent;
typical emergency rooms (according to national figures) will send 5 percent of
people home who have actually experienced a heart attack. This is the sort of
program that makes a difference in the lives of our patients. More
Neuro-Oncology
Neuro-Oncology is a specialty
concerning the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors and other tumors of the
nervous system. It is a field that brings together specialists from many
disciplines including: medical oncology, neurosurgery, pathology, pediatrics,
psychology, radiology, radiation oncology and physics.
Working together
as a cohesive team led by the neurosurgeon and radiation oncologist these
professionals carefully evaluate the patient's condition and design an optimal
treatment plan based on the many choices available. The Neuro-Oncology team at
Immanuel Medical Center understands that a brain tumor diagnosis in a loved one
can be scary and confusing. We can provide direction for patients and families
during this time and work to achieve the best possible outcome. More
Oncology
In addition to receiving round-the-clock oncology care through an oncologist network, patients may receive chemotherapy on site, as well as take part in some of the new medical advancements in cancer research.
The Immanuel Medical Center Cancer Center offers coordinated care plans, state-of-the-art technology and equipment, access to national and local cancer research, the most talented, compassionate physicians, specialists and staff, and a philosophy to treat the body, mind, and spirit of each person
We believe that each person and family deserves exceptional care and needs courage, hope and support to strengthen the spirit.
The inpatient Oncology Special Care Unit (OSCU) is a designated 4 bed unit for the oncology patient requiring additional levels of care or monitoring. The patient population includes the oncology crisis or neutropenic management, and PSCT/bone marrow transplant patients.
Surgical Services
Surgical Services at Immanuel Medical Center provide physicians, surgeons, and patients with an environment equipped and staffed for all inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, with the exception of organ transplantation. Nurses and physicians can focus on patient care that is supported by cutting edge technology and a strong tradition of caring
The department includes operating rooms, a gastrointestinal (GI) lab, pre- and post-op care units, and a 30 bed "periop" unit. This special unit offers patients a comfortable, homelike environment that provides concentrated patient preparation and education prior to and after surgical procedures. Patients can be admitted, as well as go home from this same unit if their procedure allows...providing an opportunity for continued, high level care by specialized nursing staff members. We are very proud of this unit!
A few of the many specialty procedures performed in the OR are:
Endoscopic surgical procedures, such as gallbladder removal, hernia repair, nissen repair, and appendectomy...all through a tiny incisions that allows the patient to go home and recover much more rapidly. Our many surgeons are highly skilled in performing these procedures.
Immanuel Medical Center is a leader in the community for cardiac surgery services, performing the most cardiac procedures in the Omaha metro area while also taking the lead in "cutting edge" operative technology, as well as traditional open heart procedures and valve replacements. One area that reflects this technological leadership role is our aggressive program in "off pump" coronary artery bypass procedures. We do more of these procedures, that enable patients to recover and go home more rapidly, than any other hospital in the Omaha area. Cardiac surgeons at Immanuel are happy to be able to offer these services, as well as other cardiac surgical procedures to our patients from Omaha and the surrounding areas.
Another area of strong leadership in the surgical community for Immanuel Medical Center is that of orthopedics. Immanuel Medical Center surgeons offer specialized care and treatment in the areas of total joint replacement, as well as sports related injury. These two areas work hand-in-had with our well recognized rehabilitation services, offering another continuum of care. Spine surgery is yet another specialty that has a long and noteworthy history at Immanuel Medical Center. We were the first facility to offer specialized spinal surgery in the Omaha area and are viewed as the Midwest leaders in the field. Immanuel Medical Center now provides surgical care for the vast majority of patients needing spine surgery in a four state area...and we are still growing. We lead the Midwest in offering the newest available technology, as well as our tradition of commitment and caring for spinal surgery!
Rehabilitation center
The Immanuel Rehabilitation Center is the region's most comprehensive center for physical medicine and rehabilitation, offering patients some of the most advanced rehabilitative services. The Immanuel Rehabilitation Center specializes in the care of inpatients and outpatients who have had spinal cord injury, brain injury or stroke. Other services available include physiatry, aquatic therapy, speech language/pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation neuro psychology, driver's assessment and education.
Our quest for excellence in rehabilitation and our staff's dedication to our patients has earned the Immanuel Rehabilitation Center the highest level of accreditation awarded by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO) and Certification and Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
Behavioral Services
Behavioral Services support the Alegent Mission by offering hope and the prospect of change to persons who are experiencing the pain, confusion, and isolation associated with mental health or chemical dependency problems. This is accomplished through integrated, comprehensive, cost effective, and innovative treatment with basic human understanding and reassurance. A comprehensive range of services is provided at Immanuel Medical Center. These services include: psychiatric emergency care, inpatient mental health and chemical dependency care for geriatric, adult, adolescent and children, day programs for seniors, adults and children, a therapeutic school program and outpatient mental health and chemical dependency treatment programs. Our dedicated team of professional staff are committed to caring for persons with mental health or substance abuse problems. To access our services, please call 717-HOPE.
The Heart Institute
Healthy living begins with a healthy heart. On the Immanuel Medical Center campus, the Heart Institute is able to provide you with a comprehensive range of cardiovascular services from prevention to treatment and rehabilitation.
In the event of a heart attack, a highly trained team of medical professionals are available to address the total needs of the cardiovascular patient.
In addition to the standard cardiac procedures used to start the cardiovascular patient on the road to a healthy recovery, we are also able to provide state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment therapies.
Heart Catheterization : Cardiac catheterization -- in which a thin tube, a catheter, is threaded through a blood vessel and into the heart. This helps to analyze the heart's condition and performance.
Angioplasty and Stent Placement: Angioplasty allows the cardiologist to open up blood vessels with the same type of thin catheter tube used in cardiac catheterizations. Many times a stent is then placed with the vessel to keep the area free of blockage, thereby avoiding the need for future surgery.
Congestive Heart Failure Treatment: The Heart Failure Center offers innovative outpatient treatment and educational programs designed to help chronic heart failure patients live longer, more rewarding lives. Our multidisciplinary approach to treating chronic heart failure patients is unique throughout the region and includes such things as alternative exercise programs, diet modifications and drug trials.
Cardiology Outreach: Each week, the Heart Institute cardiologists visit rural communities to care for cardiac patients who are unable to travel long distances for heart care. To ensure these patients receive the best care possible, our cardiologists work closely with local primary care physicians and community hospitals. In many cases, simply allowing patients to remain close to home and surrounded by familiar faces can have an extremely positive effect on their health.
Research: Cardiac research at the Heart Institute reflects the medical community's most up-to-date, latest scientific findings. Our cardiologists network with the teams of experts from across the nation at seminars and conferences, often as featured speakers. In addition, the Heart Institute participates in various research studies involving congestive heart failure, pacemakers, drug therapies, and cardiac management.
Cardiac Rehabilitation: Cardiac rehab helps heart patients to maximize the health of their hearts. Rehabilitation begins at the hospital after a heart attack, heart treatment or surgery, and continues as the patient recovers and returns home. It includes a special exercise program and dietary guidelines tailored to each individual's specific condition. Monitored exercise sessions are conducted at the hospital; patients can safely and confidently increase their activity levels under the personal guidance of a trained cardiac rehabilitation professional.
Joint Replacement Center
Sometimes the best medicine can be encouragement and a sympathetic ear from a friend. A large part of the new Joint Replacement Center program at Immanuel Medical Center is based on just that idea.
Alegent Health is the first healthcare system in the metropolitan area to use this innovative approach to hip and knee replacement surgery. Patients with similar conditions are grouped together and, as a group, go through surgical recovery. This focus on wellness and socialization maximizes patient recovery efforts. In addition, written and video information , positive reinforcement from staff and group support play a role in the program.
This style of center is often referred to as "joint replacement center," and the goal is to return patients to a healthy lifestyle as soon as possible.
The medical team for the Joint Replacement Center includes specially trained and experienced board certified orthopedic surgeons, nurses, orthopedic technicians, and physical and occupational therapists specializing in total joint care.
Once patients leave the Joint Replacement Center program at the hospital, follow-up care may be called for through Alegent Health Home Care and/or Alegent Health Physical Therapy Centers.
Outreach Nurse Program
It's not easy leaving your home for a medical procedure. Through our referral service, we will try to make your stay as comfortable as possible. A referral registered nurse is assigned to your case and will help you make the transition from your family physician to our physician specialist. This is one of the ways we try to help you feel at home. For more information, please call 572-2459.
Hospitality House
The Alegent Health Immanuel Auxiliary Hospitality House provides patients and their families with comfortable, home-like lodging while the patient is receiving medical care at Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center. A program Coordinator and a committed group of volunteers are available to assure that a stay at the Hospitality House is comfortable and safe. Volunteers and staff create An environment that is caring and compassionate for this challenging time in the patients' and families' life. Guests can seek comfort and support from other guests who are going through similar experiences. The Hospitality House is just a few minutes walk from the main entrance of Immanuel Medical Center, Heart Institute, Cancer Center and Rehabilitation Center.
Immanuel Fontenelle Home
When you or someone you care about needs 24-hour care in a warm, home-like environment, you can trust the senior healthcare providers at Immanuel Fontenelle Home. The nursing staff helps residents maintain the highest possible personal independence. Immanuel Fontenelle Home is licensed and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and is certified by the state for Medicare and Medicaid eligibility. The center is accredited by the Joint Commission on Healthcare Organizations.
The Immanuel Fontenelle Home Transitional Care Center, which is certified by Medicare at all locations, offers skilled nursing care for limited stays. This is usually up to two weeks. The unit meets ongoing medical care, including therapy services that are needed, to achieve optimal recovery. Family members are encouraged to take part in the resident's care and recovery. The length-of-stay is determined by a resident's progress and these factors:
- Resident's physician direction
- Resident's Medicare/insurance criteria
- Resident's continued need for services
