Spartanburg hospital sets up mobile facility to handle flu

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) – Spartanburg Medical Center has built a mobile medical facility outside of its emergency room to help cope with the onslaught of patients seeking treatment for the flu or flu-like symptoms. The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg reports () the 50-bed mobile facility, called SC Med 2 and acquired in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to deal with major emergencies, has heating and air-conditioning and will house critical care units. The unit was erected on Monday. Dr. Chris Lombardozzi, the hospital’s chief medical officer, said hospitals in the Upstate have been “very full” for at least the past three months. In addition, Spartanburg Medical Center takes referrals from smaller hospitals, such as those in Union and Cherokee counties. Lombardozzi said the 20-by-70-foot mobile unit will remain in use as long as it’s needed.