Atlanta, GA
Wellstar AMC closure leaves metro Atlanta with only one top level trauma center
Trying to fill the void left by Atlanta Medical Center
The closure of Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center last fall left the metro Atlanta area with just one Level One trauma center. That’s Grady Memorial Hospital’s Marcus Trauma Center. But, it won’t be easy finding another hospital to fill trauma coverage void.
ATLANTA – When a 24-year-old opened fire inside a Midtown Atlanta medical practice in early May, shooting five women, and sending the area into lockdown, the four survivors were rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital’s Marcus Trauma Center.
That is where Dr. Elizabeth Benjamin, the trauma medical director for Grady Health System, says the team is able to mobilize quickly.
“You have specialty surgeons, immediate OR capability, trauma surgeons in-house,” Dr. Benjamin says. “You can go to the operating room in 5 minutes. I mean, we can go straight from the helipad to the operating room.”
And with the abrupt closure of Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center last November, the city’s only other Level 1 trauma center, Grady is now Atlanta’s only top tier critical care provider.
But with the world’s busiest airport, and events that draw tens of thousands of music fans downtown, Georgia state Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, an orthopedic surgeon for 30 years, worries Atlanta is vulnerable.
“I don’t think you can ever be fully prepared for a mass casualty event, but when you take away a Level 1 trauma center, certainly we’re in worse shape for a mass casualty event than we were before,” Kirkpatrick says.
Georgia has 34 trauma centers, five of them Level 1 trauma centers.
Northeast Georgia Medical Center, the closest Level 1 trauma center, is 53 miles away in Gainesville.
And Kirkpatrick, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, worries a major disaster may be more than one hospital can handle.
“Taylor Swift was a great example,” Kirkpartrick says, “Something goes wrong at one of those events or some kind of disaster, whether you’re a Level 1 trauma center or not, Grady is quickly going to become overwhelmed because they operate at high capacity all the time. So, the patients are just going to go anywhere in the metro that the EMT can take them.”
Other major US cities have at least two Level 1 trauma centers.
Miami and Houston have two Level 1 trauma center, Detroit, Houston and Washington, DC have three and Philadelphia and Dallas-Fort Worth have four top-tier trauma centers.
And time is critical in trauma care.
Survivors can deteriorate quickly, so their best chance of survival is to get to a critical care facility within 60 minutes.
Dr. Benjamin says AMC’s shut down has impacted Marcus Trauma Center, where they had about 9,000 trauma call “activations” in 2021.
“Our numbers are definitely up across the board after the closure of AMC,” she says.
But, Dr. Benjamin says, Grady is expanding its ICU capacity and adding additional trauma beds to up with the jump in trauma patients.
“Obviously, we would have loved to have had a little bit more advanced warning, but even with that, we were able to absorb the trauma increases quite easily,” she says.
Benjamin says getting to Level 1 status is a major undertaking for a hospital that can take several years.
“So, one of the things that’s really important, I think, to understand is when you have a Level 1 trauma center, what goes along with that is a huge amount of resources,” she explains.
Hospitals must have general surgeons in house 24/7, and a network of specialized surgeons, anesthesiologists, emergency physicians and critical care providers on call.
They also must be a teaching hospital.
In January, Piedmont Henry Hospital in Stockbridge, which has been heavily impacted by the Wellstar AMC closure, became a Level 3 trauma center, and Kirkpatrick says Piedmont Healthcare plans to invest in boosting critical care at the facility.
“I think their goal is to get to a Level 2, which would cover more of the south side of town,” Kirkpatric says. “So, I think the gaps, everybody’s looking at it, everybody’s working on it. I don’t think the hospitals are ignoring it, but it’s pretty hard to replace a Level 1 trauma center.”
Kirkpatrick says hospitals to work on their trauma readiness to make sure they are prepared for when the next disaster hits.
“They will (need to be) prepared for people that are almost certainly going to show up there. Whether they’re ready or not,” she says.
The Atlanta Braves have already had an injury-plagued 2024 season, from Spencer Strider, to Ronald Acuña Jr., and many in between. There are several players, though, who now come with positive updates regarding their recovery status.
Michael Harris II, who suffered a hamstring strain on June 14, has begun hitting and throwing. He has not yet been cleared to run, but his return may not be too far away.
Tyler Matzek has been crow hopping from 90 feet, after he was placed on the injured list on May 7 with elbow inflammation.
A couple more injury updates: Harris (hamstring) has been hitting and throwing, but he hasn’t been cleared to begin running. Matzek (left elbow inflammation) has felt good while crow hopping from 90 ft.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 28, 2024
As for A.J. Minter, another rehab start is coming up on Sunday, which will set him up to be activated early next week. He hit the 15-day injured list on May 30 with left hip inflammation.
And lastly, the road to recovery continues for Ian Anderson, as his rehab assignment was transferred to the Augusta GreenJackets.
More Braves News:
Charlie Morton was stellar and the offensive was explosive as the Braves downed the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-1.
In his Double-A debut, Lucas Braun fanned nine. More in the minor league recap.
MLB Pipeline’s latest mock draft has right-hander Braylon Doughty to Atlanta.
Carson Benge’s name has come up in plenty of mock drafts. He was originally projected to land with the Braves, but his draft stock has gone up to 12th overall.
The Athletic proposes four trade scenarios and how they could work in Atlanta’s favor.
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Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda passed away at age 86. The 1967 NL MVP spent the majority of his career with the San Francisco Giants.
The San Francisco Giants placed two infielders on the 10-day injured list in Thairo Estrada and Wilmer Flores. Estrada suffered a wrist sprain and Flores has knee tendinitis.
New York Mets reliever Drew Smith will likely require Tommy John surgery but is headed to get a second opinion.
The Philadelphia Phillies placed Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber on the 10-day injured list. Harper suffered a hamstring strain, while Schwarber goes down with a groin strain.
The Washington Nationals will reportedly call up top outfield prospect James Wood on Monday. The 6-foot-7 21-year-old has put up some ridiculous numbers in the minors.
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A Black business owner in Atlanta said he feels betrayed and blindsided.
The Trump campaign held an event at Rocky’s Barbershop on Wednesday, the day before the highly anticipated presidential debate.
Owner Rocky Jones said that’s not what he signed up for and now he’s speaking out.
“I really take pride in my business,” Jones said.
Jones said he welcomes customers from all backgrounds and walks of life.
“Mind my business and serve and give haircuts back to the community and have good conversations; it’s never been about politics,” said Jones.
He said his business has never been the site of a political event until Wednesday when prominent Republicans packed inside the day before the presidential debate in Atlanta.
Former President Trump called in at one point during Wednesday’s event.
“I feel like I have been betrayed,” said Jones.
Days before the debate, Jones said someone he considered a friend reached out to him about being the host site for a small Black business roundtable.
Jones said there was never any mention this was a political event.
Jones added he never heard from a Trump campaign representative either.
Jones said the timing of the event didn’t raise any flags that the event would be political.
“I honestly didn’t think about it. It was just once you say Black small business give back to the community, it’s like, ‘Okay, I’m doing it,’” said Jones. “Just be aware that it is election season, and the timing seems a little suspect.”
FULL DEBATE COVERAGE
Jones is warning other business owners to have a healthy dose of skepticism.
“Even though I trusted that person, I didn’t do the research I should’ve done. Now, I’m letting everyone else know you need to be aware of these calls,” Jones said.
Atlanta News First did make contact with the Trump campaign. They acknowledged our request but were not able to get us a response by airtime.
Jones said he was compensated for the two hours he had to close his business for the event but adds he’s now willing to give the money back.
Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.
Billboard ranks Get Up Anthems
Billboard ranks the best Get Up anthems of Atlanta — songs that energize and inspire the city.
ATLANTA – Atlanta native and musician Killer Mike recently teamed up with Billboard to compile a list of the best “Get Up” anthems of Atlanta—the songs that energize and inspire the city. Here’s a look at the top five:
- “Player’s Ball” by Outkast, T.I., and Rubber Band Man: Leading the list, this anthem is celebrated for its iconic beat and motivational lyrics.
- “March Madness” by Future: This song comes in second, known for its high-energy delivery and popularity in the city.
- “Cell Therapy” by Goodie Mob: Ranking third, this track is praised for its deep lyrical content and impact on Atlanta’s music scene.
- “Knuck If You Buck” by Crime Mob: In fourth place, this song is a staple at Atlanta events, known for its hype and rowdy energy.
- “No Mo Play in Georgia” by Pastor Troy: Closing the top five, Killer Mike highlights this anthem as an important piece for the city’s spirit and culture.
These selections showcase the diverse and influential music that has shaped Atlanta’s vibrant culture.
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