June 12, 2023 – According to a report from Atlanta Daily World, hospitals in the metro-Atlanta area are feeling the impact of Wellstar’s decision to close Atlanta Medical Center in November 2022. At the time, the community and public officials were surprised by the closing. Now, months later, hospitals in the area are feeling the effects in emergency departments.
Emory CEO Bryce Gartland said that ER volumes for Emory facilities are up by 30%, with about 30 patients waiting for beds to become available most nights.
Representatives from Piedmont Hospital told Atlanta Daily World that emergency room visits have doubled since Atlanta Medical Center’s closing, with some patients choosing to go to the facility in Henry County to receive care.
In a statement regarding the closing, Wellstar revealed that Atlanta Medical Center lost over $107 million in the past year. Located near Midtown Atlanta, Atlanta Medical Center is one of two hospitals that featured a trauma center, the other hospital is Grady. Patients who suffered from severe injuries such as burns, blunt force trauma, and gunshot wounds were often treated at Atlanta Medical Center.