LA Times: Drastic downsizing of pediatric care at L.A. County-USC Medical Center

[marmar]

Drastic downsizing of pediatric care at L.A. County-USC Medical Center
About two years ago the hospital started chipping away at its 135 beds for children. The facility now has 55 beds for such patients.

By Garrett Therolf
January 25, 2009


No hospital in the state lost more pediatric beds in recent years than Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, which has long served many of the county's neediest patients.

The downsizing began more than two years ago as hospital officials prepared for their move into a new state-of-the-art facility with only two-thirds of the space of the old campus.

First the hospital cut children's beds by nearly half, from 135 to 74.

Then the new building opened its doors in November with only 36 beds dedicated to children. An additional 19 are available for pediatrics, but can also be used for adults.

The decision to downsize was made by Los Angeles County supervisors in 1997 amid worry that a larger facility would be too costly to build and operate. But that choice came before more than two dozen local hospitals shut down or reduced the size of their pediatric units. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pediatric-hospitalside25-2009jan25,0,7207988.story

[whistle]

1. The Gov Schwarzenegger fascist austerity program kicking in

[EFerrari]

2. Healthcare in L.A. County was already dangerous when we moved away

and that was five years ago. And, that's no exaggeration. :scared: