Harrisburg, Pa.-based UPMC Pinnacle revealed plans Jan. 8 to expand its hospital facility in Mechanicsburg, Pa. The announcement came several months after its rival, Penn State Health, submitted plans to build a 108-bed hospital roughly 1 mile away from UPMC's hospital, according to Penn Live reports.
UPMC Pinnacle West Shore opened in 2014 with 102 beds. Officials said in their Jan. 8 announcement that an expansion was necessary, as the hospital "has consistently operated at 90 percent capacity." Officials expect to complete the expansion, which will add 58 beds, by fall 2020.
Penn Live first reported Hershey, Pa.-based Penn State Health's decision to build a 108-bed hospital in June 2018. Officials at the time said the decision to build a hospital was made because a large portion of their patients travel from the Mechanicsburg region, and that the new hospital will allow them better access to care. Officials said they aim to begin construction in the spring and open the hospital by June 2021, the report states.
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