Chattooga’s Stand-alone Emergency Department Filling Need

When Atrium Health Floyd opened its stand-alone emergency department in Trion on Oct. 23, 2023, leaders throughout the health system and Chattooga County knew it would fill an important need in providing lifesaving care for residents in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama.

Almost four months later, the number of patients who have sought treatment at the facility indicates it is a vital source of care for those living in the largely rural area.

Through the end of January, 5,077 patients received treatment at the emergency department, located on U.S. 27 in Trion next to Walmart. By Monday morning, Feb. 19, the number had risen to 6,225.

“Obviously when we decided to build it here, we knew that this area was underserved, but I think I can say the numbers have been eye-opening” said Tifani Kinard, vice president of Rural Health for Atrium Health Floyd. “Before this opened, many people were having to drive for a half an hour or more to receive emergency services. There is no doubt we have saved lives.”

In recognition of topping the 5,000 patients mark, Atrium Health Floyd officials donated a portrait of the facility to the Chattooga County government, which was instrumental in helping the facility become a reality.

“We recognized this facility would be important part of health care in this region,” said Atrium Health Floyd President Kurt Stuenkel, who presented the picture to Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry. “We wanted to present this picture to you to display in the County office, Commissioner Elsberry, because it was you who asked that we evaluate the feasibility of building this wonderful facility. Without you getting us started, we wouldn’t have this emergency center we are standing in here today, and now over 6,000 times residents of this area have come here for care since the opening on October 23. It has been a huge success.”

“I really want to thank Kurt and Atrium Health Floyd for making this a reality,” Elsberry said of the facility.

Paula Vaughn, Emergency Management Agency director in Chattooga County, had a personal experience with the care the facility can provide when her husband’s blood pressure plummeted to a dangerously low level.

“They were fantastic,” Vaughn said of the staff. “When they saw what his blood pressure was, they all came rushing in to get things right.”

Vaughn pointed out that many people in the region would have to drive 30 minutes to Rome or even further to Chattanooga to find emergency care. An estimated 12 percent of the patients have come from Walker County.

The $18.4 million stand-alone emergency department was the first to be built from the ground up in the state of Georgia. It serves residents in Chattooga County and portions of Walker County and northeast Alabama, featuring six treatment rooms, an onsite laboratory and imaging services, including X-ray and computed tomography.

Board-certified physicians specializing in emergency medicine or family medicine staff the emergency department 24/7, providing the same level of care found at all Atrium Health Floyd emergency facilities.

An on-site helipad provides quick access to Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, the only ACS-verified, Level II Trauma Center in northwest Georgia.

In September 2022, Atrium Health Floyd EMS became the official ambulance service provider in Chattooga County, positioning five ambulances across the county with 35 teammates. The service represents more than a $1 million investment in new vehicles and equipment.

Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center is also the Region C Coordinating Hospital for Health Care Preparedness. In this role, the hospital spearheads regionwide initiatives when responding to health care-related crises. Region C includes the counties of Bartow, Carroll, Chattooga, Coweta, Floyd, Haralson, Heard and Polk.