University of Kentucky HealthCare has won approval from state health officials to add 120 patient beds to meet demand at its hospitals in Lexington.
UK HealthCare's previous licensing was for 825 hospital beds. But school officials say occupancy of UK's patient beds has consistently been greater than 80 percent. As a result, it was determined that a total bed capacity of about 945 beds will be required to meet future needs at UK Chandler Hospital, Kentucky Children's Hospital and UK Good Samaritan Hospital.
Michael Karpf, UK vice president for health affairs, says the added beds will further UK HealthCare's mission to take care of patients who need advanced care.