UCHealth Plans New 11-Story Tower In $388 Million Aurora Expansion

UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital  plans to build an 11-story tower at its location at Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, a roughly $388 million expansion that will add 103 inpatient beds.

“Capacity challenges” are driving the expansion, with the hospital saying it has an average occupancy rate of 93 percent. Construction on the tower, which will open in 2022, is expected to begin this year, according to a news release.

“Patients throughout our multi-state region have been requesting our care in record numbers while our state’s population continues to grow at one of the nation’s fastest rates,” said Dr. Jean Kutner, chief medical officer, in a statement.

UCHealth said in the release that it is seeing demand for services involving oncology (cancer), bone marrow and organ transplants, neurology and neurosurgery. The expansion will add beds to the intensive care unit, along with medical and surgical beds.

“The project also will include nine operating rooms, and space for renovations or expansions in other parts of the hospital, including the emergency department,” spokeswoman Jessica Berry said.

Hospitals in the state have been growing through a construction spree, drawing scrutiny for the profits they achieve and the high costs patients face.

Source: The Denver Post