Cullman Regional completed a third expansion as a part of a four-step project.
The hospital took on a three-year expansion plan that included adding 30 beds, including 13 critical care beds, 12 medical/surgical beds and five regular beds. The hospital also plans to renovate older rooms.
“North Alabama’s population growth is a significant driver for projects like this, and the pandemic also has hospitals evaluating their ability to care for patients when volumes are high,” said CEO James Clements. “We won’t be able to take care of our community in the future if we aren’t proactive today.”
The hospital now has 175 beds.
Cullman Regional also gained approval from the state’s Certificate of Need board to construct its fourth project – a freestanding emergency department in Hartselle.
The emergency department is expected to be up and running sometime in 20224.
Cullman Regional’s ability to sustain its growth initiatives contrasts with how many other hospitals in Alabama perform. According to a February report commissioned by the Alabama Hospital Association, half of the state’s hospitals operated at a loss in 2022.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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