East Point, GA (July 30, 2003) – South Fulton Medical Center broke ground today on what will be a new, advanced emergency department.  Hospital officials, employees, members of the community and local government were on hand to witness this event.  The project involves renovations to the emergency department that will nearly double it beyond its current size of 8,000 square feet to close to 15,000 square feet.

Currently, the ED has 17 exam rooms, but the expansion will allow for 27 total exam rooms.  The design will allow for more efficient staffing and communication of hospital personnel. Additionally, the ED will have a “Fast Track” system in place, which will enable them to treat minor illnesses and injuries in a more efficient manner. South Fulton has eight full-time, board-certified emergency medicine physicians.

 “Our emergency department was built to serve 20,000 patients a year thirty years ago. Today, it serves nearly double that, so this expansion will enable our staff to more efficiently treat our patients,” said John Quinn, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.  “South Fulton Medical Center remains committed to providing the highest quality of service to our community with the expansion of our emergency department.”

South Fulton Medical Center has entered into a period of rapid, positive change, investing more than $30 million in facility renovations and new equipment. Renovations on the Four North wing to a 40-bed long-term acute care facility have begun.  The hospital has also just installed a new advanced, all-digital, Cardiac Catheterization Lab as well as upgraded the MRI with cutting edge computer technology.

South Fulton Medical Center is the City of East Point’s largest corporate citizen, economic generator and employer.   SFMC was awarded “The East Point Business Association Hall of Fame Award” for its commitment to economic growth in the City of East Point during the city’s annual business awards luncheon last year.  South Fulton has expanded its charity care and is extending its hours at the Willie J. Freeman Clinic in College Park that offers family practice and obstetrics/gynecological services.

South Fulton Medical Center, a 392-bed acute care hospital has been affiliated with the Tenet Healthcare Corporation since April 2001, when it joined four other hospitals that comprise Tenet’s greater Atlanta network.  In addition to emergency care, the hospital offers cardiac care, including a stroke unit and cardio-vascular center, joint replacement services, physical and occupational rehabilitation, inpatient oncology, ambulatory surgery and labor and delivery.  The hospital also has a Level II neonatal intensive care unit.

Click here to View More