Auburn Regional Medical Center recently was granted approval to add 51 new beds to the hospital through a Certificate of Need from the State of Washington’s Department of Health.

The approval comes after the hospital appealed an earlier Department of Health decision that denied Auburn Regional and Valley Medical Center’s requests for additional beds, while awarding 58 beds to MultiCare Health System to build a new hospital in Covington. Auburn Regional had originally requested 70 beds to expand its facility with a new patient tower.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to add 51 beds to the hospital,” explained Larry Coomes, CEO of Auburn Regional Medical Center. “We are reviewing the best possible use for these beds, including the expansion and renovation of our critical care units.”

The State Certificate of Need gives the hospital up to two years to begin the expansion project, with the possibility of extensions. The decision, which continues to allow MultiCare its new beds, can be appealed by other affected parties.