KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | New Hospital Opens in Merced

New Hospital Opens in Merced

Merced - It's been nearly 80 years since a new hospital opened in Merced.

Sunday, Mercy Hospital staff made the big move, to their new, $265 million facility.

"They've gone from a 1930 vintage building, to a 2010 hospital," said Mike Kasey, a construction manager with the hospital.

The new medical center boasts 10 operating rooms, a helipad, and 186 beds.

"All the rooms are private. The size has increased two and half times in square footage," said David Dunham, with Mercy Medical Center.

The emergency department is also large, with 29 treatment areas, and plenty of room to accommodate the 55,000 emergency visits the hospital sees every year.

The hospital moved about 125 patients from the old building to the new facility Sunday.

At the same time, Merced County emergency officials held an earthquake evacuation drill, practicing a mass evacuation in case of a disaster.

"Should that unlikely event occur, you want to have a plan, and all the participants have knowledge of it, and have had a dry run so to speak, and that's what today's exercise provided," said Dunham.

"Also from a construction standpoint, we meet all earthquake standards, so we are one of the safest buildings in the county," said Kasey.

In case of a major disaster, or earthquake, hospital officials say residents can county on Mercy Medical Center, to remain standing.

"This building is able to move and flex during a seismic event without having any serious damage," said Kasey.