What is the MLK-Multi-Service Ambulatory Care Center (MLK-MACC)? The MLK-MACC is located at the former King-Drew Medical Center. According to LA County’s Department of Health Services website: “Urgent Care (non life threatening) medical services remain open at the hospital from 8:00 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week. Outpatient clinics also remain open. Call the County’s toll free information line, 211, for more information.”
Why am I blogging about this? Because people keep saying that the hospital is closed, even today’s LA Times article about hospitals’ financial woes. But the facility IS NOT completely closed. Yes, the Emergency Department is closed. Yes, there are no inpatient hospital services.
But there is Urgent Care there, and most Emergency Department administrators will tell you that a fairly large percentage (say around 40%) of patients who end up in an emergency room are there for conditions that could have been handled in an Urgent Care facility.
Yes, the community needs that hospital, and the closure of MLK hospital’s emergency room has already resulted worse medical outcomes for residents of the area. BUT PLEASE, local media, let people know that even though the hospital has been eviscerated, health care is still available at the facility.
West Coast Grrlie Blather 