John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital is a 355-bed hospital located in St. Louis, Missouri.[1] It is one of two divisions of the VA St. Louis Health Care System (VASTLHCS), a healthcare provider under the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).[2] The other division is St. Louis VA Medical Center-Jefferson Barracks.[3] The facility serves veterans in the St. Louis metropolitan area and surrounding regions, delivering a wide range of medical, mental health, and rehabilitative services to eligible veterans.[4] It serves nearly 72,000 veterans.[5]
The hospital is located at 915 North Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri.[4] It is centrally located in the main metropolitan area of St. Louis and positioned to help the underserved population in the urban area.[2]
The John Cochran Division of the VA St. Louis Health Care System was named in honor of John J. Cochran, a U.S. Representative from Missouri.[1] The hospital originally opened in 1952.[6]
John Cochran Veterans Hospital is a full-service facility offering a variety of care services, which include:[4]
John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital is affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine and the St. Louis University School of Medicine.[1] It is also affiliated with St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Southern Illinois University School of Dentistry, and University of Missouri-St. Louis School of Optometry.[1] These affiliations support medical education, residency programs, and research partnerships, enabling the hospital to be a training ground for future healthcare professionals.[1]
The hospital is actively involved in clinical research, particularly in areas related to veteran health.[1] Over 125 active research studies are in progress.[1] It collaborates with academic institutions to conduct research and improve healthcare delivery for veterans.[1]
John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission, which is a non-profit organization that accredits healthcare organizations and programs in the United States.[7] The hospital meets national standards for healthcare quality and safety.[7]
In recent years, John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital has faced scrutiny for issues such as extended wait times,[8] dental equipment sterilization practices,[9] and outdated infrastructure.[5]
There are ongoing plans to upgrade and modernize the facilities at John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital.[5] The overall would likely cost over $1 billion.[5] Over the upcoming decades, there will be construction of multiple new buildings, adding 700,000 square feet of new building space, including a 142-room tower with private inpatient rooms.[5]