Carroll County, Tenn., residents gathered Aug. 1 to protest the closure of 45-bed McKenzie Regional Hospital, according to WBBJ-7 News.
Brentwood, Tenn.-based Quorum Health announced plans to sell McKenzie Regional to Memphis, Tenn.-based Baptist Memorial Health Care July 27. However, hospital officials said the same day they plan to discontinue most patient services, including emergency department services, by Sept. 15, and will begin reducing inpatient admissions during the coming weeks.
Hospital officials said the facility's ongoing financial issues were the primary reason for the closure. Residents will still have access to emergency medical services.
Once the hospital closes, Baptist Health Care will operate the facility as an outpatient diagnostic imaging center and sleep center.
The peaceful protest included residents and community and state leaders, who expressed concern over what the closure would mean for the community.
Carroll County Mayor Kenny McBride told WBBJ-7 the nearest hospital to McKenzie Regional is about 10 minutes away by car. But in an emergency situation, every minute counts, he said.
"I met with Baptist personal [sic] twice, just being sure we take care of these employees and citizens of the county. We're trying to turn this negative into a positive, and that's what we're going to work to do," he said.
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