The Gradys

The AJC article on page B1 “Grady seeks boost in expansion funds” reports that Grady is seeking additional funding from Fulton and DeKalb.

Grady Wants $231.3 million to expand its AIDs HIV treatment and surgical facilities. DeKalb and Fulton Counties have agreed to give Grady $90 million for this project. Grady was expected to raise the remaining funds that total $141.1 million, but they are coming up short.

Half of Grady serves as the “county hospital” and treats Medicaid and indigent patients.  Grady has a “burn unit” and has been the destination for treating gunshot wounds drug overdose rescue and serious traffic accident injuries for a wide area beyond the counties. Grady is also the “teaching hospital” for Emory Medical School. It is the MASH Unit for the Atlanta area for medical students to learn how to treat war victims.

In earlier days, Atlanta Blacks called it “the Gradys”, because it was seen as two separate hospitals, one for the poor and the other for regular paying patients with insurance. Grady believes the addition of these facilities will help them build the “paying side” of the business, protect their financial viability and remain “competitive”.

$188.1 million of the $231.3 million would go to building a new surgical center to add 40 to 50 beds. If Grady can improve on post-op infections with this new facility, it will help them improve their outcomes. This requires expertise in preventing post-op infections and treating them quickly and correctly.

The AIDs HIV $43.2 million expansion costs include Grady’s Ponce de Leon Center to treat AIDs, HIV patients.

Data Source: AJC

Comments

Hospitals have had problems preventing post-op infections. These are caused by not treating open wounds correctly. This requires skilled staff who will ensure that their hands are globed and sanitized while changing bandages and dressings and ensuring that patients don’t infect their own open wounds. It also requires using the right medications and bandages to prevent infections. Grady wants to add this capability to their medical treatments.

You may have noticed then sanitizing stations were added to hospitals a few years ago.  This was adopted to control cross contamination.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader