Florida Hospital joins ranks of systems spending $300 million or more on new patient towers

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Florida Hospital, which operates under the umbrella of Adventist Health System, revealed plans to invest $600 million in acquisitions and renovations over the course of three years. 

The crux of that initiative is a $300 million patient tower at its Tampa location that adds inpatient capacity, beds and operating rooms -- making it the latest system to invest heavily in building physical locations to service consumers. 

Late last year, the Medical University of South Carolina's board approved a $325 million facility with inpatient services, while Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center also announced that it is building a new patient tower and Atrium Health (formerly Carolinas HealthCare) committed $1 billion to create new facilities and modernize others. 

In addition to Florida Hospital's new tower, the Florida Hospital North Pinellas campus in Tarpon Springs will also be targeted for improvements, such as a $30 million spruce-up of its emergency department. Florida Hospital Carrollwood in Tampa will also get an expanded ED after a $17.5 million investment.

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The hospital will also be expanding its reach, having recently bought a 103-acre parcel in Lakeland for $14.5 million, which will likely be the site of a new hospital and freestanding emergency room.

Florida Hospital also hopes to expand its ambulatory care network, with plans to construct freestanding emergency rooms in Brandon and Westchase, and four additional urgent care clinics in locations yet to be determined.

Other planned investments include an expansion to add 25 beds and an intensive care unit to Florida Hospital Connerton Long Term Acute Care in Land O' Lakes.

Twitter: @JELagasse
Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com