State approves application for Mercy rehab hospital

Mercy Springfield Communities has been cleared to break ground in March on a $28 million rehabilitation hospital in southeast Springfield.

After a Jan. 7 hearing, the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee - part of the state's Department of Health and Senior Services - approved Mercy's application to build the 63,000-square-foot facility, which would be located near U.S. Highway 65 and Evans Road and north of the health system's developing orthopedic hospital, according to a news release.

Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Springfield would have 60 beds and treat patients recovering from strokes, brain or spinal cord injuries, amputations and orthopedic injuries. Local rehab services currently are offered at Mercy Hospital Springfield, where officials say needs have outgrown the 35-bed space.

“We currently operate with a waiting list because we are unable to safely and appropriately meet the needs of more patients and their families,” said Dr. Hollis Bell, medical director for rehabilitation at Mercy Hospital Springfield, in the release. “Additionally, we are the only inpatient rehabilitation facility in the Ozarks that provides care for patients as young as 13. Many patients in this age category have to go three hours away for their care.”

The venture represents a partnership between Mercy and Brentwood, Tenn.-based Centerre Healthcare, which operates five rehabilitation hospitals, including one each in St. Louis and Oklahoma City in partnership with Mercy.

The nearby Mercy Orthopedic Hospital, a $116 million, 200,000-square-foot facility, is scheduled to be completed in the fall.[[In-content Ad]]