MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Obtains Certificate of Need for New Medical/Surgical Pavilion

Need-based assessment supports hospital’s plans

(April 5, 2016) Washington, D.C.,  MedStar Georgetown University Hospital has successfully obtained a Certificate of Need from the State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) for a new state-of-the-art medical/surgical building on the hospital’s campus. The approval demonstrates public need for the new facility and means MedStar Georgetown has crossed an important threshold in the development process and is now a significant step closer to bringing the new medical/surgical pavilion to realization.

The $560 million medical/surgical pavilion will house a new Emergency Department, larger operating rooms and 156 private patient rooms in an unparalleled, modern setting that will set the standard for patient care.  The project will also resolve current infrastructure that is aging and at maximum capacity.

As a governmentally-regulated and community-based healthcare assessment, the Certificate of Need process affirms that a proposed medical development supports and furthers public healthcare needs. The District of Columbia requires healthcare providers to detail the proposed structure, services provided, capital expenditures and capacity, among other things, before establishing a new healthcare facility. The approval of this CON signifies that MedStar Georgetown’s plans for a medical/surgical pavilion mirror the District’s public health needs and greatly advances the project in the approval process. 

“We welcome this decision by members of the State Health Planning and Development Agency that took into account the recommendations of both the Project Review Committee and Statewide Health Coordinating Council,” said Michael Sachtleben, President, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. “We are pleased that there was clear agreement with the need to improve and update our healthcare facility in order to continue to provide state-of-the-art healthcare services.  We are more confident than ever that this project is what’s right and needed for the patients we serve and to support ongoing excellence in both medical education and research with our University partner.”

This new facility is vital to MedStar Georgetown’s overall ability to continue to deliver the high quality healthcare the community has relied on for over 100 years and is committed to providing for decades to come.