East Point, Ga. -- South Fulton Medical Center opened its new advanced emergency department today. The $8.5 million expansion nearly doubles the square footage of the previous facility from 8,200 square feet to almost 15,000 and includes 12 additional private treatment rooms, bringing the total number to 27. The facility also includes a separate "Fast Track" system, which can allow patients with minor illnesses and injuries to be treated and released in a more efficient manner.

"As the population in south metro Atlanta has grown, so has the demand on our emergency department," said Christopher Hummer, CEO of South Fulton Medical Center. "We see nearly 3,000 patients a month, more than double the number we saw when the original emergency department opened in 1970. The new facility is designed to better serve the community and decrease wait times for our patients."

Today's grand opening celebration included addresses from state Senator Virgil Flood, Patsy Jo Hilliard, mayor of East Point, Ga., and Bill Edwards, vice chairman of the Fulton County Commission. The public toured the new facility following the grand opening ceremony. Free preventive health screenings were provided.

These events were the culmination of four days of events marking the opening of the new facility. Local EMS and emergency response personnel toured the facility earlier in the week, while physicians and other medical professionals visited the facility on Wednesday.

"It's important that not only our patients here and the greater community visit the new facility, but that the emergency workers who transport patients here and the medical staff who treat them see for themselves how this facility has been designed to improve emergency care," said Sergio Naccarato, MD, FACEP, MBA, Medical Director of emergency department.

The expanded department also includes many advanced decontamination and infection control strategies, including isolation rooms to prevent the spread of airborne pathogens and two negative pressure rooms to treat with infectious diseases.

As the closest emergency facility to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, we must be prepared to treat patients who may arrive from all over. Infection control for patients with rarely seen pathogens is and will be imperative for this facility.

To view a slide show of the open house, click here.

To view a slide show of the new emergency department, click here.

South Fulton Medical Center, part of Tenet Georgia, is a 338-bed acute care community medical center located off I-85 at 1170 Cleveland Avenue in East Point, Ga. Established in 1963, South Fulton Medical Center has been among those at the forefront in addressing the medical and health care needs of residents of south Fulton, Coweta, Fayette, Clayton and Douglas counties for more than four decades. Specialties include cardiac services, an emergency services trauma center, outpatient surgery services, rehabilitation services, women's health and a sleep disorders center.