ATLANTA (AP) — Officials say Atlanta Medical Center has become the metro area's second Level 1 trauma facility in a state some experts say is lacking in such care.

Officials say gaining the new Level 1 status is the culmination of years of work, including adding new equipment and more specialty surgeons. Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta is the other Level 1 trauma center in the metro area.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the downtown Atlanta hospital treats trauma patients from more than 50 hospitals across Georgia. Atlanta Medical Center trauma coordinator Rochella Mood says it is the state's third-busiest trauma center.

Kevin Bloye, a spokesman for the Georgia Hospital Association, says the new designation is a positive sign for rapidly growing metro Atlanta. Some experts say more trauma centers are needed in the state.