January 27, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball joined Howard County General Hospital President Steve Snelgrove to officially open the hospital’s two-story, 50,000 square foot expansion today. The project houses a new entrance and waiting area for the Emergency Department, replaces observation and psychiatry units, and cost approximately $45 million. Photos can be found here.
“Howard County General Hospital’s year-over-year increase in admissions was the highest of all of the 23 hospitals in the greater Baltimore region,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “This expansion is critical to provide greater access to healthcare, more efficient services for our community, and ensure all our residents are healthy and thriving for years to come.”
Howard County General Hospital (HCGH), which serves approximately 220,000 people each year, is the only hospital in the county and often reaches capacity for medical and behavior health units, affecting wait times and overall experience. The emergency room sees nearly 80,000 people each year, and 75% of hospitals visits come through the ER.
The expansion also includes more beds for the psychiatry unit, including additional private rooms, safety enhancements, patient amenities, modern treatment spaces and a new nurses’ station.