Published: August 21, 2008 08:37 am            

Hospital closes its doors

The doors to Trinity Hospital in Jasper were chained and padlocked shut on Wednesday, Aug. 13 by mutual agreement of the facility's owners and the state Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), according to hospital officials.

Handwritten signs were placed on the main entrance to the 42-bed facility to notify patients that the emergency room was closed. Patients were referred to other facilities owned by the same company.

While the hospital is closed, Trinity "will focus on capital improvements, management changes and the overall improving of hospital services to better meet the needs of the local community," according to a press release issued by H.C. Healthcare, Inc., the Gainesville-based owner of the facility.

"Trinity expects to reopen its hospital after appropriate changes are made, and approved by the AHCA, and thereafter provide more professional and better medical services to the community," the release continued.

On Thursday, Aug. 14, just hours after Trinity was closed, a 911 call was received requesting assistance for a possible heart attack. The caller had been enroute to the Trinity emergency room but had to be rerouted, said emergency officials.

Just after midnight Saturday, Aug. 16, a stabbing victim had to be transported to Shands of Live Oak to receive care, authorities said.

The issue was discussed during the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners meeting Tuesday night and former hospital employee Lynn Burnham addressed the board on behalf of the community's health care needs. Eight other hospital staff members were in attendance to hear the board's plan for providing medical care for the county.

Commissioner Lewis Vaughn reassured residents that the county is monitoring the situation. He said discussions are being held regarding the situation and that this is an important issue that would be addressed in the future.

Meanwhile, anyone with a medical emergency should dial 911 for assistance.

        

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