Cox Walnut Lawn has changes coming as well

by Paul Flemming

SBJ Staff

Changes are coming to Cox Walnut Lawn, formerly Columbia Hospital South, as well.

Cox Health Systems announced Oct. 28 that services and employees would be moved from the former Columbia North Hospital before the building was purchased by a group of independent physicians. Those changes are part of the continuing transition after Cox bought Columbia's Springfield operation in July.

Heidi Hartman, media relations coordinator for Cox, said changes at Cox Walnut Lawn will be final as the hospital consolidates its three local hospital licenses Cox South, Cox North and Cox Walnut Lawn into one. She said the process will be ongoing through the end of the year.

Obstetrics services have already been closed at the former Columbia South and moved into Cox South she said.

Areas that will be offered at Cox Walnut Lawn include restorative care, urgent care, same-day surgery and wound care.

Hartman said a joint venture between Sechrist Industries and Cox will open a wound center at Cox Walnut Lawn.

The center will use a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and other techniques to treat difficult-to-heal wounds, such as surgical incisions that won't close, severe tissue damage and diabetes-related injuries, according to proposals from Sechrist.

Sechrist Industries Inc. is a privately held company based in Anaheim, Calif. The provider of contract clinical operations and management services was formed in 1978.

The center and the joint venture are in the beginning stages of development, Hartman said.

Restorative care will include skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, such as those needed in workers' compensation cases.

Urgent care at Cox Walnut Lawn will be similar to an emergency room for non-life-threatening conditions, Hartman said.

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