Douglas County hospital closing this week

LITHIA SPRINGS - Emory Parkway Medical Center on Interstate 20 west of Atlanta will close on Friday, idling 416 employees. <br> <br> The 28-year-old hospital, in Douglas County near the Cobb County line, lost more than $4 million last year and almost $3 million so far this year, spokeswoman Linda Kirkman said. <br> <br> She said its average daily occupancy in 2001 was just 28 of 256 beds. <br> <br> Employees who are losing their jobs will get 62 days&#39; pay, with the possibility of additional severance compensation, Kirkman said. <br> <br> The hospital, owned by Emory Healthcare and HCA, blamed the closing on competition from larger hospitals. <br> <br> Others negotiated contracts with insurers that left Emory Parkway Medical Center excluded from some managed care plans, Kirkman said.

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