As Crozer Health System Faces Shutdown, Patients and Staff Are Left Devastated

The conclusion is imminent. The biggest healthcare network in Delaware County Thursday marked the final complete day that Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland was open.

Corridors, patient chambers, and surgical suites stand vacant as the medical facility gears up for an irreversible closure come 8 A.M. on Friday. Individuals seeking treatment are currently navigating their options for receiving further care.

It’s solemn," said Melanie McKendry, the chief medical assistant at the gynecological-oncology department of Crozer Chester Medical Center. "It feels as though we’re attending our own funeral, essentially.

Crozer's parent company, Prospect Medical Holdings , has declared bankruptcy. Prospect also owns Taylor Hospital located in Ridley Park , which concluded on April 26.

“I’m heartbroken,” stated Nicole Thomas, who works as a surgical scheduler at Crozer Chester Medical Center. “I am deeply disturbed. It’s hard for me to fully accept what’s happening since I’d rather not confront it at this moment.”

Several patients were seen crying when they collected their medical records on Thursday before parting ways.

“I find this incredibly distressing,” remarked Sharon Didimazio, a cancer patient at Crozer Chester Medical Center. “I’m trying not to get overly emotional, but what’s happening in our nation? It doesn’t make sense.”

Thomas and McKendry mentioned that they are leaving their positions without receiving any severance package and haven’t secured new employment yet; however, their primary worry revolves around their patients.

Individuals are frantically attempting to obtain their medical records," Thomas stated. "Patients are desperately seeking refills for medications that they can exclusively acquire through specific physicians. This situation places these patients in a highly dangerous position, and Prospect seems indifferent to this issue.

The community is feeling both sad and angry over the loss of an essential local facility.

McKendry mentioned that one patient reported attempting to schedule an appointment with another GYN/oncologist but was informed that none were available before September. She added that this indicates a problematic shift and not at all what Prospect had described. According to her, the situation is completely chaotic.

The closure of the Crozer Healthcare system This implies that numerous patients may need to cover greater distances to receive treatment. Physicians from Temple Health anticipate a rise in the requirement for air ambulance services.

Due to traffic, it might take up to an hour for an ambulance to move a patient from Upland to Temple University Hospital’s primary location in North Philadelphia. However, via helicopter, officials mentioned it would be reduced to just 15 to 20 minutes.

Temple Hospital features a level one trauma center, designed to treat patients with the most critical injuries. Additionally, the facility includes a specialized 10-bed unit dedicated to burn care.

"Temple and Lehigh Valley are the nearest burn centers confirmed by the American Burn Association, with Temple being significantly closer," stated Dr. Daniel del Portal, who serves as a senior vice president for medical operations at Temple Health.

The helicopter has a crew consisting of a pilot, a nurse, and a medic who are all equipped to deliver crucial medical support.