University of Maryland Shore Regional Health officially submitted the modified, updated Certificate of Need (CON) application to the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) for a new hospital to replace UM Shore Medical Center at Easton on Tuesday, October 11, 2016.
The modified application seeks approval to replace the existing UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, updated from its original submission in 2012. It reflects the continuing changes in healthcare—particularly inpatient services—in Maryland and the nation, where hospital admissions are declining due to advanced technology, the shift of procedures and surgeries to outpatient facilities, and improvements in quality and preventive care that reduce unnecessary admissions through chronic disease and post-discharge management of care. The proposed replacement hospital will improve upon the existing hospital, which is aging and hampered by inefficiency in its design, infrastructure, space limitations and a location with barriers to public and emergency vehicles access.
Highlights of the modified CON application include:
A hospital to replace Easton on a campus three miles north of the current location, near the Talbot County Community Center just off Route 50
109 inpatient beds: 95 acute, 14 acute rehabilitation
All private patient rooms
10 observation beds
State of the art patient care units and support services
28 emergency treatment rooms
Six operating rooms
All current services offered in Easton, with the addition of new cardiac blockage diagnosis and intervention capabilities
Estimated total projects costs: $350,000,000
UM Shore Regional Health, with the involvement of members from the Town Council of Easton, The Talbot County Council, local businesses, community partners and neighborhood residents, will soon begin addressing the best use of the existing hospital site. Pending necessary approvals, funding, infrastructure and permits, a new hospital is estimated to open around 2022.
“We extend our sincere thanks to the UM Shore Regional Health Board, Medical Staff, volunteers and the entire team at Shore Regional Health, and to the UMMS Board and our many colleagues at UMMS for their diligent ongoing support, as well as to our architects and advisors who have worked on getting the project to this momentous day,” says Ken Kozel, CEO of UM Shore Regional Health.
“Our thanks are extended to Talbot County government, the Town of Easton and to neighboring counties, agencies and many community partners for their support,” he added. “Thank you for your unwavering commitment to this important chapter in the life of Shore Regional Health.”
Karen O'Connor says
Now what happens to U M Shore at Chestertown? That 2022 date is when the promise runs out…time to get back on the bandwagon or we will lose our inpatient beds when the Easton Hospital opens. Vigilance!