MERRILLVILLE | A South Carolina-based hospital company plans to open a 40-bed facility in Merrillville for patients with complex medical conditions.

Progressive Healthcare Inc. said patients will be admitted starting July 7 to Progressive Hospital of Merrillville, on an Ameriplex at the Crossroads site on Georgia Street, west of Interstate 65 and north of 93rd Avenue.

The privately-run hospital is geared to treat patients with conditions such as chronic heart disorders, respiratory failure and drug resistant infections.

The long-term, acute-care hospital takes patients who require additional medical care but have exceeded government-funded insurance program limits on lengths of stay in traditional hospitals.

The average stay at Progressive hospitals is about 25 days, said Dixie Wierman, director of case management.

Strictly a long-term care facility, Progressive won't compete with other area hospitals, including nearby Methodist in Merrillville, St. Anthony's in Crown Point and St. Margaret Mercy in Dyer, Wierman said.

The Ameriplex site was chosen for its nearness to communities in southern Lake County, including Crown Point and Lowell, Wierman said.

"We felt there wasn't a long-term, acute-care facility in this community," Wierman said.

Other area long-term, acute-care facilities are located within hospitals in Hammond and East Chicago.

"This hospital will allow patients in surrounding communities to stay in their community," Wierman said.

Progressive late last year opened a similar hospital in Ft. Wayne.

Hiring for the Merrillville hospital is underway of a staff of about 42, with that number expected to grow as the hospital fills up, Wierman said.

Local doctors will staff the hospital, she said.