EASTON — University of Maryland Shore Regional Health officially submitted the modified, updated Certificate of Need (CON) application to the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) for a new hospital to replace UM Shore Medical Center at Easton on Oct. 11.

The modified application seeks approval to replace the existing UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, updated from its original submission in 2012. It reflects the continuing changes in healthcare — particularly inpatient services — in Maryland and the nation, where hospital admissions are declining due to advanced technology, the shift of procedures and surgeries to outpatient facilities, and improvements in quality and preventive care that reduce unnecessary admissions through chronic disease and post-discharge management of care. The proposed replacement hospital will improve upon the existing hospital, which is aging and hampered by inefficiency in its design, infrastructure, space limitations and a location with barriers to public and emergency vehicles access.

Highlights of the modified CON application include:

• A hospital to replace Easton on a campus three miles north of the current location, near the Talbot County Community Center just off US Rt. 50

• 109 inpatient beds: 95 acute, 14 acute rehabilitation

• All private patient rooms

• 10 observation beds

• State of the art patient care units and support services

• 28 emergency treatment rooms

• Six operating rooms

• All current services offered in Easton, with the addition of new cardiac blockage diagnosis and intervention capabilities

• Estimated total projects costs: $350,000,000

UM Shore Regional Health, with the involvement of members from the Town Council of Easton, The Talbot County Council, local businesses, community partners and neighborhood residents, will soon begin addressing the best use of the existing hospital site. Pending necessary approvals, funding, infrastructure and permits, a new hospital is estimated to open around 2022.

“We extend our sincere thanks to the UM Shore Regional Health Board, Medical Staff, volunteers and the entire team at Shore Regional Health, and to the UMMS Board and our many colleagues at UMMS for their diligent ongoing support, as well as to our architects and advisors who have worked on getting the project to this momentous day,” says Ken Kozel, CEO of UM Shore Regional Health.

“Our thanks are extended to Talbot County government, the Town of Easton and to neighboring counties, agencies and many community partners for their support,” he added. “Thank you for your unwavering commitment to this important chapter in the life of Shore Regional Health.” About UM Shore Regional Health: As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.