Wilmington, N.C.-based New Hanover Regional Medical Center's plans to build a $210 million hospital involve closing an orthopedics-focused one, according to Port City Daily.
Three things to know:
1. NHRMC is seeking state permission to build a new hospital connected to its existing freestanding emergency department in Wilmington. The proposed two-story hospital addition would open in 2024 with 66 beds.
2. NHRMC plans to close Wilmington's 75-bed NHRMC Orthopedic Hospital, which also offers full-service emergency, imaging and diagnostic services, and shift 30 of the beds to the proposed hospital, pending state approval. The remaining 45 beds will move to NHRMC's main campus.
3. The hospital system wants to shift resources north to the proposed hospital because high occupancy rates have led to overcrowding at its main campus. Low-risk patients would be steered away from the main campus under NHRMC's plan.