Current Number of Licensed Beds
As of 2024, Sanford Medical Center Fargo has 292 licensed beds. This is the most recent official figure. The hospital is the largest medical facility in North Dakota. It serves as a central healthcare hub. 60% of its patients come from outside the Fargo metro area.

Bed Counts by Source
Different sources show varied bed numbers for Sanford Medical Center Fargo and its related campuses:
– Sanford Broadway Medical Center, the oldest campus, reports 357 licensed beds.
– All Sanford campuses in Fargo combined provide 764 inpatient beds.
– Another source lists 310 inpatient beds. Shell space could add 74 more beds in the future.
– Some public data lists the main facility tower at 284 beds.
– Freida AMA reports 550 beds and 32 bassinets. The average census is 423. Annual births total 2,960.
– The AHD hospital database states 546 staffed beds at this location.
Summary of Official Bed Capacity
Reported numbers range from 292 to 550 beds. The count varies based on the source. It also depends on whether staffed or licensed beds are counted. The official licensed bed count for Sanford Medical Center Fargo is 292 as of 2024.
These figures refer to beds at Sanford Medical Center Fargo. They do not include other facilities in the Sanford Health system.
Maximum Design Capacity of Sanford Medical Center Fargo
Planning and engineering documents show Sanford Medical Center Fargo was built to hold 384 beds at full capacity. This major construction project ranked among the top 10 largest healthcare builds in the United States.
The site spans 109 acres. This leaves plenty of room to grow.
The hospital stands 11 stories tall with four towers. Every patient room gets natural light and wide views.
The facility holds 1 million square feet of space. This supports many types of patient care and clinical work.
Architectural plans and official reports list 384 beds as the final capacity once all phases finish.
At first opening, some beds were ready to use. Other areas wait to activate as more patients need care.
Shell space exists for 74 more beds beyond the launch count. The facility can add capacity in stages.
Core infrastructure features 50 emergency bays and 28 to 38 operating rooms. These handle high patient numbers and advanced care.
Maximum Design Capacity Summary Table
|
Feature |
Maximum Design Capacity |
|---|---|
|
Total medical beds (design max) |
384 |
|
Current reported open beds |
284–348 (staged, expandable) |
|
Additional shell space |
74 beds |
|
Emergency bays |
50 |
|
Operating rooms |
28–38 |
|
Site area |
109 acres |
|
Facility size |
1 million sq. ft., 11 stories |
Bottom line: Sanford Medical Center Fargo’s maximum design capacity is 384 beds. The design and shell space let it grow to meet rising healthcare needs in the region.
Planned Future Bed Expansions at Sanford Medical Center Fargo
Sanford Medical Center Fargo is expanding to meet growing patient needs. The regional population keeps rising, so the facility needs more space.
Initial design: The hospital opened in 2017 with 284 beds. The building included shell space for up to 96 more beds.
Current inpatient bed capacity: The main medical center has 310 inpatient beds. Plus, shell space can support 74 additional beds.
Rapid expansion post-opening: By 2018, Sanford Fargo added 18 more beds on the eighth floor. Patient demand beat projections in the first year.
Continued construction: In 2020, Sanford started building 14 new patient rooms and support spaces on the eighth floor. The project finished by December 2020. This brought total new beds since opening to 36.
Unfinished Space and Future Development Potential
Seventh floor shell space: The entire seventh floor remains unfinished. It has capacity for 32 more rooms. This gives major room for future growth.
Campus-wide expansion: Leadership plans additional medical office buildings and another tower on the newer campus. Sanford aims to be a “50-year future” medical hub for the region.
Total Future Bed Inventory Across Campuses
Overall Sanford Fargo system capacity: The three Sanford Fargo campuses hold 610 beds combined:
348 beds at Sanford Medical Center Fargo
188 beds at Sanford Medical Center Broadway
74 beds at Sanford South University Medical Center
Sanford Medical Center Fargo’s planned expansions respond to real needs. Patient demand keeps beating projections. The region needs ongoing facility growth and development.
