::::::::: Overview ::::
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta for over 100 years, Grady Memorial Hospital is the primary teaching hospital of the Emory University School of Medicine. Fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Grady Memorial Hospital is an internationally recognized teaching hospital staffed exclusively by doctors from Emory University and Morehouse Schools of Medicine. Remarkably, 25 percent of all physicians practicing medicine in Georgia received some or all of their training at Grady Memorial Hospital.
Currently operating approximately 750 of its 1,000 plus bed capacity, Grady Memorial Hospital is the primary hospital for inner-city and medically indigent populations in DeKalb and Fulton Counties - the two largest counties in the Atlanta metro area. Grady Memorial Hospital serves as the only Level-1 trauma center in metro Atlanta and for 100 miles in all directions. It also serves as one of only two burn units in the state, provides ambulance coverage for the city of the Atlanta, houses the state's Poison Control Center, and serves as a regional referral for high-risk obstetrics and neonatal care.
In 1992, we completed and opened a nationally acclaimed Emergency Care Center (ECC), which treats all adult medical, surgical, and both adult and pediatric trauma patients that present to the Grady Health System. Total patient volume in the ECC is approximately 105,000 patients per year - that's more than 300 patients each day. With its broad scope of service and diverse population, Grady Memorial Hospital is an excellent facility for teaching, researching, and practicing emergency medicine.
Located on over 2.8 acres of space at the corner of Armstrong Street and Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive in downtown Atlanta, the ECC is divided into seven contiguous areas where attending physicians, residents, associate providers, and nurses evaluate and treat patients.
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::::::::: Triage ::::
We perform a triage evaluation on all patients who present to the ECC for care. We assign an acuity classification for patients and choose a treatment location accordingly. We operate the ECC with the philosophy that patients should spend as little time as possible in triage or the waiting room and that we should move them to one of our treatment sites as soon as possible. During high-volume times, attending emergency physicians provide expedited care to low acuity patients in the triage area to help with patient flow and minimize impact on the overall ECC.
::::::::: Patient Ambulatory Care Express ::::
Restructured under the Department of Emergency Medicine in 2001, the as Patient Ambulatory Care Express's (PACe) mission is to treat people seeking emergency care at the ECC for relatively minor conditions. The PACe facility operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed primarily by nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The PACe operation treats approximately 15,000 patients annually and provides quality care by maximizing efficient use of resources at relatively low costs. This is accomplished by the use of mid-level providers versus physicians to provide care to patients normally treated in a clinic environment. PACe strives to see patients rapidly by assessing primary presenting conditions, treating, and where necessary referring to appropriate clinics. The PACe goal is to improve speed and efficiency without jeopardizing courteous and high-quality medical care.
::::::::: Blue Zone ::::
The blue zone area is designed for major and minor medical patients, although any patient who presents for care may be seen in this area. A major resuscitation room anchors this area along with eight critical care rooms, seven respiratory isolation rooms, and several general patient care areas. All rooms are fully capable of cardiac monitoring.
::::::::: Red Zone ::::
The red zone area is primarily designed to treat major and minor trauma patients, though any patient may be evaluated in this area. Two large trauma bays, with the capacity for four simultaneous major trauma patients, anchor this area. This area also has general care rooms, an orthopedic room, a gynecology evaluation room, and an eye, ear, nose, and throat room. All rooms are capable of cardiac monitoring.
::::::::: Asthma Area ::::
Patients with mild to moderate asthmatic disease are evaluated in the asthma area, while those with more severe asthmatic exacerbations are seen in the red or blue zones. Guided by NIH pathways, this area is staffed with a nurse and during high-volume times, a respiratory therapist.
::::::::: Care Management Unit ::::
The Care Management Unit provides quality care for patients in a pleasant environment. The unit is a streamlined, cost-effective alternative to hospital admission. All patients are evaluated by a case manager who helps coordinate care, provide education, and ensure appropriate follow-up. The Care Management Unit is designed to function as a center for excellence in patient care, teaching, and research. The unit will admit patients directly from the emergency department. Patients receive their initial evaluation and treatment in the general area of the ECC. There are currently 10 specific protocols and patients must meet certain eligibility criteria, which are outlined in clinical pathways. Ongoing care of patients in the unit is provided by attending faculty and is available as an elective for Emergency and Internal Medicine residents.
::::::::: Red/Behavioral Observation Unit ::::
Grady Memorial Hospital operates the region's only 24/7 Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) and Crisis Stabilization Unit. Many of these patients require a medical evaluation prior to or in addition to their mental healthcare. This closed unit, with a 24/7 "observer" stationed in the area, allows for the necessary medical evaluation. Once stabilized, patients are immediately transferred to the PES for the completion of their evaluation.
::::::::: Detention Treatment ::::
The ECC provides acute care for prisoners from the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, DeKalb County, and potentially 73 other jurisdictions in the Atlanta metro area. While prisoners may present with all types of medical and surgical illness, this area is equipped to treat prisoners with low acuity illnesses. Prisoners presenting with a more serious illness or injury are transferred to the red or blue zone for further care and evaluation.
