Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health opened its doors on April 15 as the District of Columbia’s first full-service hospital in more than 25 years. However, since opening, it has faced staffing shortages and more emergency department patients than expected, diverting ambulances on five occasions between April and June, according to a July 6 report from The Washington Post.
The $434 million acute care hospital was built as part of a public-private partnership between King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services, district-based George Washington University and the local government.
According to the report, the community has lacked key services such as specialty and trauma care for years. Barriers that patients face in accessing primary care — such as a lack of transportation and child care, and unpredictable work schedules — have overwhelmed the new hospital’s emergency department. In Cedar Hill’s first 45 days of operation, about 5,300 people entered the ED. However, about 80% of these patients could have been treated at an urgent care clinic, the Post reported.
The hospital replaced United Medical Center, a separate facility that closed in April. Cedar Hill had prepared for 100 emergency room patients daily, based on United Medical Center’s numbers, but saw more than 200 patients on some days, early on.
Further, the district gained nearly 15,000 residents in 2024, almost double its population gain from 2023.
Cedar Hill was built for 80 inpatient beds. As of July 1, there were 32 open — 16 fewer than anticipated at that point, according to Anthony Coleman, the hospital’s CEO.
Addressing shortages, low acuity
Cedar Hill has offered $15,000 sign-on bonuses to nurses since opening, with more incentives planned, Mr. Coleman told the Post. The hospital is also sending residents postcards outlining which symptoms should be addressed in an urgent care — such as fever or cold — or an emergency department, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing.
Mr. Coleman also plans to have a graduate student from George Washington University serve as a public health intern and create a community health literacy plan, the Post reported.
