The construction project, expected to start in 2017, would add three stories to sections of the existing structure to build space for new patient rooms, making Gulf Coast a 624-bed health center. According to the report, planners also envision adding new medical offices and a 1,100-space parking garage on the Gulf Coast Medical Center campus.
Lee Memorial Health System board members have only given hospital planners permission to identify designers for the project, not to actually spend money on the expansion, but health system officials say they believe the organization must complete this construction to meet the needs of its fast-growing population, according to the report.
Lee Memorial Health Systems saw a 9 percent year-over-year increase in patient volumes between October and February, while emergency department visits grew by 7 percent, according to the report.
The system has been converting office and meeting space into temporary patient rooms during these peak months. The health system board agreed to spend $7.3 million for another 45 temporary rooms at three other health system hospitals.
Correction: An earlier version of this story said 275 patient beds would be added to Gulf Coast Medical Center in Panama City, Fla., when, in fact, they will be added to the Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers. We regret any misunderstanding this may have caused.
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