Dozens of ambulances helped Trinity Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala., carry 98 patients to its new facility, according to an article on the AL.com website.
The move went faster than anticipated. Trinity Hospital closed at 12:15 p.m., and the last two patients left the emergency department soon after. Hospital officials initially thought the move would last into the mid- to late-afternoon, the article said.
Planning for the move began more than a year ago. Plans for the new facility has been in the works for at least 14 years, when the HealthSouth system announced the state-of-the-art 'digital hospital'.
Patients traveled in groups, with several ambulances making the drive to the new facility with police escorts. Eight radio check-in stations, operated by ham radio volunteers, stood along the route to ensure safety and communication between the groups.
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