LA opens surge hospital for COVID-19 patients
In an effort to relieve pressure on overflowing local hospitals, the former St. Vincent’s Hospital has opened its doors again as the Los Angeles Surge Hospital (LASH).
The hospital is a partnership between the state of California, Los Angeles County, and Dignity Health and Kaiser Permanente, two of the state’s largest nonprofit healthcare systems. They will oversee day-to-day operations and management of the surge hospital.
“What we are opening is a COVID only hospital, which is unique in LA,” said acting CEO and president of Dignity Health’s Southwest Division Julie Sprengel. The 266-bed hospital has no emergency room and will not accept walk-in patients.