The State of Maryland is using a modular solution to address the pressing need for additional intensive care units in areas hardest hit by COVID-19. On May 26, Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center opened a new 7,000-sq-ft, 16-unit critical care facility, built from modular units designed by HGA and preassembled by The Boldt Co. at its Appleton, Wis., facility.

Another similar HGA/Boldt modular facility is planned for the University of Maryland Prince Georges Hospital Center in Cheverly. Both hospitals are located in Prince Georges County, which has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases of any county in the state.

Dubbed STAAT Mod, which is short for strategic, temporary, acuity-adaptable treatment modular units, the system aims to provide hospital-quality clinical care with ICU-level infection control and patient isolation.

“Maryland is proud that Fort Washington Medical Center is the first hospital in the country to receive this ICU-level of care unit,” Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said in a statement. “This newly constructed unit is another example of increasing hospital capacity for care of patients suffering from COVID-19 in Prince George’s County.”

The Maryland Dept. of General Services placed its order for the modules on April 8 and the first units were shipped from Boldt’s Wisconsin facility on April 22, according to Boldt. Once the final units arrived in early May, Boldt staff, working with 10 local subcontractors, created the 16-room critical care center from 12 preassembled modules. Crews also installed foundations and related infrastructure.

Cranes were required to place the modules, which each weighing about 25,000 pounds. Once in place, utilities, medical gas supply hook-ups, electrical, building ramps and roofing were completed. Crews were able to deliver the completed critical care center, which is located adjacent to the existing hospital, in about two weeks.

Although they can be used as a temporary solution, Boldt estimates that its STAAT Mods have a 10-year useful life.