New Observation Unit At Howard Co. Medical Center Opening Soon

COLUMBIA, MD — A 29-bed observation unit will officially open in December at Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center.

Officials gathered this week to cut the ribbon for the new unit, which can be found on the hospital pavilion's first floor. It's designed to expedite patient care and help patients move from the emergency room to other hospital units faster.

The observation unit marks the first significant bed expansion at the hospital's emergency department since 2009, leaders said, with a price tag before $28 million. The county contributed $15 million in the past three years toward the project.

"Hospitals around our country are experiencing longer wait times in their emergency departments, and Howard County’s one and only hospital is no exception. The opening of this observation unit will deliver much needed relief to patients and staff in our emergency department," said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball at the ribbon-cutting.

Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center also received a $3 million grant from The Kahlert Foundation to help fund the project. The foundation planned to match additional donations to the project up to $600,000.

Related:

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$3M Grant From Foundation Supports Expansion Efforts At Howard County Hospital