After a tornado in Joplin, Mo., destroyed Mercy Hospital in 2011, the new facility is built to withstand a destructive storm, according to an article on the Facility Executive website.
The new features integrated into the hospital give workers confidence they can continue to care for patients in case of another devastating storm, the article said.
“There’s a sense of comfort knowing the windows in the critical care areas are rated for hurricane wind speeds,” Kevin Kepley, critical care nurse manager, said in the article. “And knowing there are hurricane doors that we can close to create a safe zone for our patients.”
All new Mercy facilities are served by two substations in addition to generators enclosed in concrete bunkers. Electric cables are buried to prevent lines being downed by debris.
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