WakeMed, Duke Raleigh awarded more patient beds

WakeMed and Duke Raleigh rehabilitation centers both won approval this week from the N.C. Medical Care Commission to increase the number of patient beds at their facilities.

The commission approved Certificates of Need for 12 new beds at Duke Raleigh, and it authorized eight of the 12 beds requested by WakeMed for its Raleigh campus, said Jim Jones, spokesman for the state Division of Health Service Regulation.

Rehab facilities benefit patients who are not ill enough to require hospitalization but need additional treatment, such as physical therapy or other special services following an accident, stroke, surgery or a major illness.

Certificates of Need are required for expansions of hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities to prevent overbuilding of medical facilities and help keep health-care costs under control.

This latest approval will allow WakeMed to expand the number of beds at its rehab hospital from 84 to 104. WakeMed was awarded 12 new rehab beds in November.
Stan Taylor, vice president of corporate planning at WakeMed, said WakeMed does not plan on appealing the state’s decision to approve the addition of eight beds rather than 12.

Certificate of Need requests submitted but turned down by the commission this week included Johnston County Hospital’s request for 18 beds and a proposal from the University of North Carolina Rehabilitation Center to expand by 12 beds.

Staff writer Renee Elder