Although staff shortages and other limitations originally only allowed for a capacity of 85 out of 575 beds, the reopening was seen by many as a turning point for New Orleans, having had a severe shortage of emergency care since Katrina. In October 2009, University, with the closure of Charity Hospital, was designated the city's new Level I trauma center, named "Spirit of Charity", and alleviated West Jefferson Medical Center and East Jefferson General Hospital, which had been serving as the trauma centers up until then. As of 2014 the hospital is operating at 235 staffed beds.