St. Anthony Hospital adding beds

The full potential of Gig Harbor’s St. Anthony Hospital is about to be realized.

CHI Franciscan last week announced plans to finish construction of the fifth floor of the hospital at 11567 Canterwood Blvd. N.W.

At a cost of $15.6 million, the additional 25,000 square feet will provide space for 32 beds, bringing the hospital to 112 beds.

CHI Franciscan in December applied to the Washington State Department of Health for a required certificate of need. With approval, hospital officials expect the new addition to open in 12 to 16 months, according to a release.

“This is an exciting time for the community of Gig Harbor and CHI Franciscan Health,” stated David Schultz, the company’s market president for the Peninsula region. “This will decrease the time patients have to wait in our emergency department and avoid unnecessary transfers of patients across the Narrows Bridge.”

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 12:34 PM with the headline "St. Anthony Hospital adding beds."