UM SRH Announces A Milestone Toward Replacement Hospital for Easton
Artist’s rendering of the planned new Shore Medical Center at Easton.
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 CON, updated from its original submission in 2013, 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 better chronic disease and post-discharge management of care. The existing hospital is antiquated and inefficient in its design, with infrastructure needs, campus space issues and a landlocked location in the Easton neighborhood that grew around it, causing a barrier to access by the public and for emergency vehicles.
We anticipate at least a year-long process of very detailed review by the Maryland Health Care Commission, with primary focus on the size and cost of the new facility. Highlights of the CON application are:
- 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 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 department treatment rooms
- Six operating rooms
- Scope of services includes all present Easton services plus new PCI program (percutaneous coronary intervention– heart blockage diagnosis and intervention/stenting)
- Estimated total projects costs: $350,000,000
A process will soon begin to consider the best use of the existing hospital site, once a new hospital opens around 2022, pending necessary approvals, funding, infrastructure and permits. This facilitated process will involve members from the Town and County Council, local businesses, community partners and neighborhood residents.
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. Our thanks are extended to Talbot County government, the Town of Easton and to other neighboring counties, agencies and many community partners for your support.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to this important chapter in the life of Shore Regional Health.