CoxHealth to celebrate opening of new ED

CoxHealth will celebrate the completion of the organization’s new Emergency Department with an open house, tours and a ribbon cutting ceremony 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25. The public is invited to attend.

The new Emergency Department features some of the nation's most sophisticated MRI and CT technology, an on-site lab, state-of-the-art disaster management facilities and more. The ED has 62 patient beds – a significant improvement over the 23 beds available in the existing facility, a chapel and garden area, and the latest security features for the safety of staff and patients.

The ED is located in the Lipscomb Family Wing of Cox South, 3801 S. National, on the south side of the hospital facing James River Freeway. Construction on the new 78,000 square-foot ED began in May 2009. The total cost of the project was $52.5 million, financed by a Sept. 2008 bond issuance.

Patients will continue to be treated in the old Emergency Department space until 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29. At that point, all emergency care will be provided in the new facility.

Patients travelling northbound on National Ave. who need to access the Emergency Department are advised to drive in the far right lane as they navigate the diverging diamond interchange. Drivers will then need to make a right-hand turn onto Bradford Parkway, and then an immediate right onto the CoxHealth tunnel road. They will cross under National and emerge on the Cox South campus with the new Emergency Department entrance directly in front of them.

ED groundbreaking begins new era in emergency medicine

Today, CoxHealth broke ground for the health system’s new 78,000 square-foot Emergency Department, and announced a major donor gift that’s helping to make the expansion possible.

The donation, generously given by Mr. and Mrs. Larry and Tracy Lipscomb and Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Cathryn Cox Lipscomb (above), creates the Lipscomb Family Wing of Cox South, which will be built south of the existing outpatient center and will house the new ED.
The new ED will have 62 beds – a significant improvement over the 23 that are available in the existing facility – and is designed in five “pods” that can be opened or closed throughout the day as needed.

“We are excited to usher in this new era in emergency medicine for Southwest Missouri,” said Robert Bezanson, CoxHealth president and CEO. “This Emergency Department was designed with staff input to create a better work environment for them, and to enhance our patients’ experiences. It truly is a great thing for Cox, and for our community.”

Not only will the new ED provide for a better patient and family experience, it includes a number of “green” initiatives designed to help the environment. Among these are a construction site waste management and recycling program, the use of regionally produced renewable building materials, abundant use of natural light, water use reduction appliances, and more.

The total project cost is $52.5 million, financed by a Sept. 2008 bond issuance. Construction is expected to be complete in August 2010.

CoxHealth also announced a new fundraising campaign, designed to drive resources to patient needs to compliment the new facility. Donor options are available at a variety of levels, and correspond with name recognition on a room within the center. People interested in giving to the campaign should contact the CoxHealth Foundation at 269-7150.