SAVANNAH, Ga. – Concerns about hospital overcrowding have emerged after a local woman shared her troubling experience at Memorial Health earlier this month.

Christina Bryan-Parker recounted a recent visit to the emergency room with her husband, who was facing heart problems. The scene she described was unsettling, with patients occupying the hallways and medical staff navigating through the congestion.

“We were taken back quickly, but I was really shocked,” Bryan-Parker explained. “Every room was occupied, and patients were scattered throughout the corridors. It was challenging for the staff to move other patients around because of the sheer number of people.”

The overcrowded conditions brought back memories of the pandemic for Bryan-Parker, a scenario she hoped would remain in the past.

“It was startling to witness such a situation in a non-crisis context,” she said. “When I asked the nurses about it, they mentioned that this wasn’t even considered busy.”

She described the experience as “like being in a third-world country.”

While waiting for her husband, she said she saw other patients being treated in hallways, including an elderly woman discussing a catheter issue within earshot of others.

Bryan-Parker shared her experience in a social media post that has since gained attention online. She said her goal is to raise awareness about what she calls “dangerous hospital overcrowding” before it gets worse.

“If there’s another pandemic or even just a busy day, you’re risking your loved one’s life,” she said. “If people don’t advocate for change, this community will be left behind.”

has reached out to Memorial Health for comment. Read their statement below:

“We’re proud that our Level I Trauma Center is known nationally for providing lifesaving care and our facility is ranked in the Top 5% of hospitals for patient safety. From time to time, our emergency department experiences higher-than-usual patient volumes, often related to seasonal illnesses. During these times, our care teams ensure that no patient waits without medical attention.

In some situations, this means temporarily caring for patients in designated areas while we work quickly to transition them to private treatment rooms. These designated areas are continuously monitored and staffed by experienced medical professionals who provide the same high level of attention and safety as in any other part of our hospital.”

Memorial Health has also announced plans to build two free-standing ERs in Pooler and Richmond Hill and a 90-bed patient tower on its main campus to help address growth in the community.