Hospitals try to block Gwinnett open-heart program

ATLANTA - Two Atlanta hospitals are trying to prevent Gwinnett Medical Center from performing open-heart surgeries at its Lawrenceville facility.

Emory and Piedmont hospitals filed lawsuits on Monday in Fulton County Superior Court.

Hospitals seeking to perform such surgeries must undergo a state Certificate of Need review.

Dr. Rhonda Medows, commissioner of the state Department of Community Health, approved the Gwinnett Medical Center proposal last month after it was earlier denied.

Emory and Piedmont both perform open-heart surgery. Emory officials say Gwinnett County residents already have adequate access to open-heart programs.
Piedmont officials added that hospitals must perform a high number of the procedures to maintain quality.

Gwinnett Medical Center CEO Phil Wolfe expressed disappointment and said Piedmont and Emory were putting lives at risk.