BY CAMERON McWHIRTER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Bethesda North Hospital announced a two-year, $26 million expansion Thursday of its cardiac and emergency units.
Susan Olin, spokeswoman for the TriHealth hospital group that runs Bethesda North, said the plan involves construction and renovation at several departments, including:
- $5 million to renovate the emergency department. The modern facility will have a main emergency area of about 20,000 square feet.
- Building a 15-bed unit for patients coming out of post-cardiac surgery.
- $7.5 million for expanding and rehabbing cardiac operating rooms as well as adding a 15-bed pre- and post-operation area.
- $3.7 million for a parking garage.
- $4 million for a critical care unit.
The construction is to be completed by July 1999.
The renovations come as hospital groups continue to expand to meet the growing need of suburban patients.
"This is in response to the increased demand for our services out there," Ms. Olin said. "It's so we can better handle the increased volume."
In 1997, Bethesda North's emergency department treated more than 44,000 patients. The hospital, on Montgomery Road, has been operating for 28 years.
