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ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) — Some local leaders are now at odds over whether they should push to keep an Atlanta medical center alive.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sent a second strong letter about the AMC closings, saying in part, “Wellstar must immediately respond to the community about the actions you are taking to address the impact of this closure on the community.”
“I’m not upset, I’m not surprised,” said Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman Rob Pitts.
He said he sympathized with Wellstar’s decision.
“The closure of South Dar was a business decision on their part. This was a Nov. 1 closing and a business decision,” Pitts said.
Pitts said Atlanta can manage with just one Level 1 trauma center.
“From a medical or clinical point of view, level 2 hospitals provide the same services. Therefore, losing WellStar Level 1 will not impact our ability to serve those who need a Level 1 hospital,” Pitts said.
Full coverage of the AMC shutdown
It is true that according to the American Trauma Society, Level 1 and Level 2 hospitals offer similar services.
One difference is the research requirements.
Another level 1 trauma center has a critical care physician in the hospital 24/7; As for Level 2, they are on call and should be able to respond within 15 minutes.
Pitts said Fulton County still funds Grady Hospital and the county has no plans to raise taxes. If there are budget issues, the county will look at what services can be cut, he said.
“Emergency departments are very over capacity, so we’re looking at a plan that primarily involves helping Piedmont and Emory until we can come up with a long-term solution,” Pitts said.
Pitts said he consulted Fulton County attorneys and said there was nothing they could do to stop the closure.
Dickens said they will continue to explore every option possible.
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