ATLANTA (AP) — The closure of Atlanta Medical Center in November 2022 has triggered unprecedented challenges for Atlanta’s healthcare system, with Emory University Hospital Midtown and Grady Memorial Hospital struggling to accommodate the surge in patients, NBC News reported Wednesday.
Administrators at Emory University Hospital Midtown have been forced to deploy mobile pods outside their emergency room to contend with the overwhelming influx of patients, according to Dr. Nataisia Terry, the medical director, who described the situation as “overcrowded.”
Dr. Terry highlighted a 20% increase in emergency room patients over the last budget year, underscoring the strain on resources. Similarly, Grady Memorial Hospital has faced severe overcrowding, occasionally redirecting ambulance traffic to facilities miles away due to resource constraints.
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The closure of Atlanta Medical Center has significantly impacted the city’s healthcare landscape, exacerbating strain on the system amid a population increase of 66,730 residents from 2022 to 2023. Concerns are mounting about the city’s ability to provide accessible care and meet the growing demand for medical services.
Dr. Michelle Cooke, a primary care physician, voiced apprehension over a potential rise in preventable deaths due to delayed medical screenings and essential care, expressing the urgent need to address the underlying issues. Dr. Anwar Osborne from Grady Memorial Hospital emphasized the intensified challenges faced by medical professionals, particularly in treating patients airlifted from rural areas.
The closure of Atlanta Medical Center, a 460-bed facility acquired by Wellstar Health System in 2016, is expected to have long-term consequences on patient health, with Dr. Cooke citing concerns about the impact on morbidity and mortality.
Criticism has been leveled at Wellstar for closing two hospitals that served a significant number of Black patients, raising questions about equitable access to healthcare. Wellstar spokesperson Matthew O’Connor refuted accusations of resource removal from communities of color, citing efforts to navigate financial and operational challenges.
Crystal Martin’s firsthand account of conditions at Grady Memorial Hospital further underscores the dire situation, with staff facing overwork and understaffing, resorting to taping numbers to walls to manage crowded hallways, highlighting the strain on resources.
