Atlanta Prepares for Major Move of Children’s Hospital Patients
Atlanta, GA — A significant event is about to unfold in the healthcare landscape of Atlanta. Come Sunday, Sept. 29, all patients from the Egleston Hospital on Clifton Road will be relocated to the brand-new Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital on North Druid Hills Road. The occasion follows a private ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Friday, Sept. 27, marking the hospital’s official launch.
The new Arthur M. Blank Hospital, a 19-story, 2 million-square-foot marvel with 446 beds, will open its doors to patients starting at 7 a.m. on Sept. 29. This opening time coincides with the closing of the Egleston Emergency Department. Shortly after, the intricate process of transferring 340 patients will commence, involving numerous ambulances carefully coordinated by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) along routes including the Clifton Road corridor and North Druid Hills Road near I-85. It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation, with dozens of ambulances ready to roll out at 7:30 a.m. to ensure a smooth transition that is expected to span the entire day.
All Hands on Deck
To manage this significant operation, CHOA will have child life specialists, hospital chaplains, interpretive services, and approximately 1,000 support staff volunteers on-site to assist with any needs that might arise for the patients and their families. Although Egleston and the new Arthur M. Blank Hospital are only 2.6 miles apart, the actual travel distance required for the move is six miles due to the planned route.
As part of the move, roughly 30 patients from the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Scottish Rite Hospital in Sandy Springs will also be relocated to the new facility. Despite this extensive relocation effort, all other CHOA campuses, including Scottish Rite and Hughes Spalding, will continue their regular operations.
Community Advisory
CHOA has issued an advisory urging the public to avoid the areas involved in the transfer to help facilitate a smooth and efficient move. The local community is encouraged to yield to ambulances transporting patients and to refrain from making any deliveries to either the Egleston Hospital or the Arthur M. Blank Hospital on Move Day.
Contingency Plans in Place
The planning for this move has been meticulous. According to a CHOA spokesperson, every detail has been accounted for, and there’s a backup plan for every backup plan to ensure patient care remains seamless. Even with the recent impact of Hurricane Helene in Atlanta, CHOA is following its inclement weather procedures and adjusting some operations to mitigate any potential issues. Outpatient clinics at neighborhood locations and selective surgeries have been rescheduled, and the Zalik Behavioral and Mental Health Center has shifted to virtual appointments for the day.
What to Expect on Move Day
- Arthur M. Blank Hospital will open at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29.
- Egleston Hospital’s emergency department will close simultaneously.
- 340 patients from Egleston and approximately 30 from the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center will be moved using 65 ambulances.
- The entire process is expected to take about 12 hours.
- Scottish Rite Hospital and Hughes Spalding Hospital will continue their regular operations.
The community has been reassured that eyes are set on ensuring patient families experience no disruptions during this transition. Local churches have adjusted schedules, holding virtual services or relocating parking lots to aid in this joint effort. While the hospital welcomes the community’s support, no additional volunteers or deliveries are needed on Move Day as the staff is well-prepared for every aspect of the move.
Mark the Date
Excitement and anticipation are building as this remarkable effort in pediatric healthcare gets underway. The move from Egleston Hospital to the new Arthur M. Blank Hospital represents a significant milestone in providing even better facilities and care for the children of Atlanta. Stay safe, cooperate with the directives, and look forward to this new chapter in Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
