A.G. HOLLEY HOSPITAL CLOSURE ON TRACK

- On site at A.G. Holley State Hospital, State Surgeon General sees that the closure of A.G. Holley State Hospital is on track to meet the deadline set by HB 1263 -

TALLAHASSEE - A multidisciplinary team from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) is fulfilling the A.G. Holley Hospital closure plan, submitted on time last week to the legislature, for the safe transfer of the remaining 36 hospitalized tuberculosis (TB) patients to alternate facilities with equivalent care by July 2, 2012. The team has been organized by County Health Department leaders.

State Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong visited A.G. Holley State Hospital this week and met with A.G. Holley managers, clinicians, staff, patients and incident command leaders. "I want to thank our dedicated DOH A.G. Holley employees who care so well for our TB patients, and emphasize that DOH remains committed to facilitating employee transitions," said Dr. Armstrong. "The closure of the A.G. Holley Hospital is an opportunity to enhance our system of care for TB patients in general and for those needing hospitalization in particular. The safety of our citizens and our patients remains paramount. The A.G. Holley campus will close on the timeline established by our legislature and patient care in the hospital will conclude by July 2, 2012," said Dr. Armstrong.

The State Legislature mandated, through HB 1263, that DOH close A.G. Holley State Hospital in Lantana by January 1, 2013. To do this, activities on the A.G. Holley campus are concluding in phases.

In 2011, 753 tuberculosis (TB) cases were reported in Florida, representing a 10 percent decrease in cases since 2010. There has been a steady decline in the number of TB cases in the state since 1994 (1,764 cases). Fourteen counties account for 80 percent of Florida’s TB morbidity.

The learn more about DOH's efforts to prevent and educate Floridians and visitors on TB, visit http://www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/tb/