BJC Medical Group Convenient Care at Hazelwood opened this week and brings a much-needed resource to our community for treating a variety of minor injuries and illnesses. Christian Hospital has partnered with BJC Medical Group to open this facility as an effective alternative for all ages to get “checked out” – especially in the evening or on the weekend – when you can’t get into your primary provider or don’t know where to go.
Certified family nurse practitioners Latoya Woods, FNP, and Zandra Brown, FNP, practice at Convenient Care at Hazelwood, located at 7451 A N. Lindbergh in the Elm Grove Shopping Center. The team sees patients seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Appointments are not necessary, and they will accommodate patients quickly and efficiently.
The team treats a variety of minor injuries and illnesses, including cough, cold and flu symptoms; joint and minor muscle strains; minor scrapes, cuts or bruises; sore throat or earache; insect bites or rashes; sinus symptoms; eye irritation; infections; and fevers under 101 degrees. This is also a great location for our youth to get sports physicals, and flu shots will be offered here in the fall.
Often times people follow their first instinct and go straight to the emergency department (ED) when even the most minor health incident occurs. It’s important to understand that the hospital EDs are for those cases requiring immediate treatment to avoid the loss of life or other complications – for example conditions such as stroke, heart attack or poisoning.
And if you do go to the ED with a minor injury or illness, most likely you’ll have a long wait time to be seen, as cases are taken in order of severity. We operate the busiest ED in the state, with some 110,000 patients seen at Christian Hospital and Northwest HealthCare combined each year. The opening of Convenient Care at Hazelwood is another step we’ve taken to provide the right care at the right time and cost.
Convenient Care at Hazelwood offers walk-in care for pediatric and adult patients of all ages, with a co-pay that is often less expensive than urgent cares and definitely less costly than the ED. For many visitors, the co-pay will be the same as a primary care visit. This facility is not meant to replace your primary care provider, but rather it’s here as a fast, convenient alternative when you and your family need it.
For all these reasons, in the event of a non-critical injury or illness, your choice is clear – visit the Convenient Care at Hazelwood. To reach the facility, call 314-921-2882.
Rick L. Stevens, FACHE, is Christian Hospital president.
