Fargo’s Innovis Health planning more beds

FARGO, (AP) — Innovis Health plans to add 18 beds in Fargo if it gets state approval, as part of a long-range expansion plan for its hospital and clinic.

The new beds would be on the third floor on the clinic side, giving Innovis a total of 104 beds.

Innovis’ chief administrative officer, Kevin Pitzer, estimates the project will cost about $4 million. He says Innovis also plans to add five bassinets to its neonatal intensive care unit.

The project is awaiting approval from state health officials who must decide whether it meets safety codes. It is intended to help serve a growing number of patients until Innovis can build a third wing.

“This will give us inpatient capacity for the next three to four years,” Pitzer said. “We’re trying to maximize available space within the existing envelope of the building.”

Innovis opened in 2000 with 74 beds. Its long-range plans include a new wing with about 40 beds added over the next five years, as well as more doctors, nurses and other support staff.

Patient admissions have grown by 14 percent a year since Innovis became part of Duluth, Minn.,-based Essentia Health, said John Rieke, Innovis’ vice president of operations. Innovis clinic visits also have been growing, about 9 percent a year.

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