Local News in Brief : Shift of Pediatric Patients Approved
In a move to ease overcrowding at county hospitals, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved Tuesday a pilot project that will shift the treatment of some pediatric patients to Orthopaedic Hospital.
The private nonprofit facility, located at 2400 S. Flower St. in downtown Los Angeles, is to provide about $1.7 million in orthopedic care to uninsured or under-insured youngsters who ordinarily rely on county hospitals and health centers for treatment. “We feel there is an incredible need to direct part of our charity function to children in our own back yard,” said Donald Wiley, chief operating officer of Orthopaedic Hospital.
Calling it a “unique opportunity,” county Health Director Robert Gates said that about 40 patients a month would receive in-patient care at Orthopaedic Hospital and an additional 450 could be treated monthly on an out-patient basis.
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