North Carolina-based WakeMed adds new beds

After nearly two decades of excess capacity and shifting services, Cary, NC-based WakeMed will soon offer dozens of new beds. The $45 million expansion will mark the first time since 1991 that such a large number of new beds have become available in Wake County, NC, said Stan Taylor, vice president of corporate planning at WakeMed. The long gap in adding beds can be traced to the increased use of surgical centers, more outpatient facilities, home-health services, and dramatic improvements in medical technology. But population growth coupled with aging residents has finally outrun capacity, officials said.