The old County-USC building has been a landmark along the L.A. skyline since 1933. However, right next door, a billion-dollar facility will bring state-of-the-art healthcare to the East L.A. community. Officials say it is a community in dire need of such care.
The media was given a tour of the new L.A. County-USC Inpatient Tower on Monday.
The building is designed to make the flow of patient traffic as efficient and comfortable as possible. Medical experts will have cutting-edge diagnostics, surgical and clinical technology.
Highlights include a large neo-natal intensive care unit and an emergency room. The ER at L.A. County-USC is one of the busiest. Medical professionals in the ER treat about 200,000 patients every year. Officials say the new facility will have more state-of-the-art equipment than any ER in the state.
"We have brand new equipment. The scanners are actually located right in the emergency department. We have a heliport that's at the top of the building. It has a direct elevator, so that patients can come right into it, or directly into the operating room. So, it's designed for maximum efficiencies, safety and patient care," said Dr. Stephanie Hall, Chief Medical Officer.
As many as 500 patients will be moved into the new hospital in October. Officials say no services will be disrupted during the move, which will take about two days.
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