Crozer Health hospital emergency rooms stop accepting patients

UPLAND, Pa. (WPVI) -- Emergency rooms at two Delaware County hospitals stopped accepting patients on Wednesday.

It's all part of the expedited shutdown of the hospital system owned by Prospect Medical Holdings. A judge approved the closure plan on Tuesday.

Taylor Hospital is set to close on Monday, while the last day for Crozer-Chester Medical Center is set for May 2.

Already, nearby hospitals within the Main Line Health Network, like Riddle and Lankenau hospitals, are seeing an increase in patients with the bulk at Riddle.

The closest trauma centers to Crozer Health are at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, ChristianaCare Hospital in Delaware and several hospitals located in Philadelphia, with the closest being the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.

"We don't expect for a health system to close but we expect for a crisis to happen. We expect disasters," said Shelly Buck, the president of Riddle Hospital.

RELATED: Crozer Health to shut down, and operations could cease by early May

Buck says they've added beds and have been working closely with Delaware County Council and neighboring health systems to prepare.

Plus there's an expansion of their emergency department underway. The hospital is adding community health workers and encouraging people laid off by Crozer to apply.

"We always have contingency plans, staffing plans in place to take care of patients who come into our doors," added Beck.

Robert Worthington represents the paramedics within the PA SNAP Union. He painted adire picture.

"Somebody is going to die, that's what's going to happen. It's not if, it's when," said Worthington.

He said layoff notices also went out but his members keep showing up. The vital minutes that patients in trauma situations have will be lost with longer response times.

Dr. Monica Taylor, the chair of Delaware County Council,says besides finding and transferring care for county residents, they are also dealing with a crater in the healthcare workforce and trying to get patients their records, among other challenges.

"Prospect is also not abiding by the regulations in terms of timeline. A typical hospital would take months to close and they're doing thisin two weeks," Taylor said.

On Thursday evening, there will be a community panel discussion to help residents navigate the closure.

It will be hosted by The Delaware County Health Department at Chester City Hallfrom 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.