Crozer closure: Patients turned away, as staff prepare for last days
With the closure of Crozer, Taylor hospitals, over 75K must seek emergency medical attention further away
Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital saw a combined 78,000 emergency room patients a year and those will now have to go to other already overburdened hospitals farther away.
CHESTER, Pa. - As Taylor Hospital closes and Crozer-Chester Medical Center prepares for its last week, patients are being turned away for simple procedures and employees, some of whom have worked for decades, are heartbroken the end is so near.
What we know:
Taylor Hospital of Ridley Park will close Friday says a spokesperson for Delaware County government as its larger companion hospital, Crozer, is slated to close next week.
In his 70s and struggling with diabetes and high blood pressure, this Delaware County resident arrived at the Crozer Medical Center Friday for much-needed blood work. The response was direct. They couldn’t help him. Leonard Ihejirika said, "I’ve been coming here for the past five years. All of my care has been here because it’s very close to me."
He was turned away and for the fewer than 100 patients still inside the troubled hospital, their time here grows short.
As Taylor Hospital closes, Crozer set to close next week, patients are turned away
As Taylor Hospital closes and Crozer-Chester Medical Center prepares for its last week, patients are being turned away for simple procedures and employees, some of whom have worked for decades, are heartbroken the end is so near.
Peggy Malone leads the unionized nurses at Crozer. She said, "I think it will be the middle of next week they’ll have it pretty much shut down. I think they’ll have a few outliers, maybe billing. There are units constantly closing."
Crozer Health closure begins: Patients transferred via helicopter, ambulance
With Crozer Health officially set to shut down, here's what to know about when each hospital is expected to close and how many people it will impact.
By the numbers:
The two hospitals had a combined 78,000 emergency room patients a year and those will now have to go to other already overburdened hospitals farther away, often when minutes mean life or death differences.
And all those employees, people dedicated to saving lives, are put out of work, as Prospect Medical Holdings, will lay off 2,651 employees when it closes Crozer-Chester Medical Center next week.
Last days:
The end is coming quickly for Crozer and its companion hospital, Taylor of Ridley Park, after news broke Monday their for-profit owner, Prospect Medical Holdings of California, would shutter them. Copters quickly appeared on the helipad ferrying burn patients away as a psych ward is expected to close today.
Dr. Monica Taylor leads the county council now searching for a new medical provider to move in and take the pressure off existing hospitals. With Crozer’s trauma unit idled, fear is rising. Tayor was asked if she was concerned that lives are in danger who are critically injured in the community. She said, "Yes. It is a concern. Understanding that when minutes mean saving a life: a heart attack, stroke, or gun show wound."
Crozer closure: Delco residents fear dwindling healthcare access as hospitals prepare to close
As Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital prepare to close their doors, Delaware County residents are fearful about their future access to healthcare.
Back at Crozer, Peggy Malone, the face of the fierce opposition to Prospect, is leaving. She said, "After 37 years. I found out Tuesday and I’ll end my career today. I’m grateful this was the best place you could have ever worked."
Patient, Employee Resources:
As the closures loom, Delaware County officials have set up resources including closure timelines, patient transfer information , and medical records requests.
Emergency room and hospital closures
Taylor and Crozer Hospital emergency rooms were placed on ambulance diversion this past Wednesday. Walk up patients will be treated and released, or transferred, but will not be admitted.
Taylor Hospital has closed all operations. Taylor ER will close Saturday, April 26th at 8 a.m.
Crozer Hospital planned to closed Friday May 2, with the emergency room closing two days earlier on Wednesday April 30.
Emergency medical service personnel will be on-site to transfer patients from ERs to area hospitals after the closures.
For more information on patient transfers the county provided the following email and phone number: CrozerPAInquiries@omniagnt.com or call (888) 801-2338.
Information for Crozer Workers
County officials say Crozer employees can text ‘healthjobs’ to 888777 for updates from PA CareerLink or visit www.pacareerlinkdelco.org/crozer-former-employees for career and training events and resources.
Employees can also sign up for virtual sessions starting April 30 for more information about unemployment, health insurance and training services, or drop by the Crozer Transition Center/PA CareerLink at 160 E 7th St. in Chester starting on May 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend hours to be announced later.
There will also be a Crozer Job and Resource Fair Tuesday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Subaru Park in Chester.
Scan the QR code for career and training events:
Medical Records Requests
Patients can request medical records by visiting this link. Outpatient medical record procedures are still being worked out in bankruptcy court, according to county officials.
Scan the QR code to request medical records:
Mental Health Support
The Crozer Crisis Center will stay open until Monday, April 28 at 8:00 a.m. Those in need can also utilize the National Suicide & Crisis Hotline and call, text or chat 988. For mental health support from Peer, contact the Peer Warmline at 855-464-9342. You can also reach the Delaware County Crisis Connections Team at 1-855-889-7827.