Wellstar Cobb Ranked 9th Best Hospital in Metro Atlanta

U.S. News and World Report released its annual Best Hospital rankings and Austell's own Wellstar Cobb Hospital received high marks.

Austell's Wellstar Cobb Hospital was ranked as one of the top in the region and state in the annual "Best Hospitals" rankings from U.S. News & World Report. The magazine analyzed data from 4,800 U.S. hospitals and ranked Wellstar Cobb Hospital as 15th in the state and ninth in Metro Atlanta. The hospital ranked high in neurology and neurosurgery. Wellstar Kennestone in Marietta ranked sixth in the region and ninth in the state. According to the magazine, 72 percent of a sample of recently discharged patients from Wellstar Cobb said they would recommend the hospital to friends or family. Both the state and national average was 69 percent. The survey, created by the federal government, used by Wellstar Cobb is also used by about 4,000 other …

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Wellstar to Cut 42 Jobs at Austell's Cobb Hospital

The employees who are eligible will be placed in other positions within the Wellstar Healthcare System.

Forty-two people will lose their jobs at Austell's Wellstar Cobb Hospital by the beginning of July. Wellstar Cobb Hospital has experienced lower patient volumes and an increase in uninsured patients over the past year, Wellstar spokesman Keith Bowermaster explained in a statement. He said, despite these issues, the hospital is "financially stable." Wellstar recruiters are working over the next 30 days to place those displaced into other positions within the Wellstar Health System, which has a no lay-off policy. "WellStar sincerely hopes that these affected team members choose to remain a part of this organization," stated Bowermaster.

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WellStar Generates $2.2B for Local, State Economies

WellStar hospitals had direct expenditures of more than $957,000,000 in 2010.

In 2010 WellStar Health System’s five hospitals, WellStar Cobb, Douglas, Kennestone, Paulding and Windy Hill, generated more than $2.2 billion in revenue for the local and state economy, according to a recent report by the Georgia Hospital Association, the state’s largest hospital trade association. The report also found that, during the same time period, WellStar provided approximately $106,594,815 in uncompensated care. This is in addition to the unreimbursed cost of care provided by WellStar to Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries of $31 million and $58 million, respectively.   This has occurred while sustaining more than 10,000 full-time jobs throughout northwest metro-Atlanta. These jobs are non-WellStar employees, such as vendors and …

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Taking the Sting Out of Insect Allergies

Summer means more time outside and more exposure to stinging insects. Check out these helpful tips for those with allergies to insect stings.

Contributed by Dr. Grace Chiang of Wellstar Allergy and Asthma As summer approaches, you may notice an increase in the number of insects buzzing around outside. People with an allergy to stinging insects will want to take extra precautions this time of year. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), up to 5 percent of Americans are at risk for a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction from insect stings. “For most people, getting stung results in temporary pain, redness and swelling at the site of the sting,” said Dr. Grace Chiang, an allergy and asthma specialist with WellStar Medical Group Allergy and Asthma. “However, for those with allergies to insect stings, it can result in a sudden, …

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How Do You Deal with All This Pollen?

One local allergist offers answers and tips for surviving this high-pollen season.

The pollen count level in South Cobb is currently at 10.8 on a 12-point scale and that level is expected to increase throughout the week.  High pollen levels mean yellow-green dust-covered cars will pack car washes and people with allergies will sniffle and find it difficult to enjoy the warm, sunny weather. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the pollen count for Monday broke -- no, make that shattered -- the old record by 35 percent. Wellstar Health System, which has a hospital in Austell and several branches in the South Cobb area, has issued some tips and information for getting through this high pollen season as easily as possible. Dr. Grace Chiang of WellStar Medical Group, Allergy and Asthma, answers common questions about …

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Local Job Alert: Wellstar Patient Access Specialist

Post your job listings, goods and services on South Cobb Patch by clicking "Marketplace" under the "More" tab at the top of the page.

Wellstar to Become Tobacco-Free Environment Jan. 1

Tobacco use to be prohibited at all locations beginning January 1

Don't count on smoking those cigars to celebrate the birth of your child or puffing on those cigarettes as you wait to find out some important health news from doctors. WellStar Health System, including Austell's Wellstar Cobb Hospital, will become a tobacco free environment effective Jan. 1 in an effort to become a healthier environment for its patients and employees. After this date, no tobacco use of any kind will be permitted anywhere on WellStar property. All designated smoking areas at WellStar facilities will be eliminated. “WellStar is joining hospitals across the United States in an effort to become 100 percent tobacco free,” said Reynold J. Jennings, president and CEO of WellStar in. “As healthcare providers, we know the …

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