MYRTLE BEACH — Grand Strand Regional Medical Center has submitted a certificate of need to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control for 17 in-patient rehabilitation beds.

If awarded to Grand Strand, the beds will be located in a fourth floor addition that will be constructed on top of the hospital’s Heart Center, said Grand Strand spokeswoman Joan Carroza.

Carroza said there currently are no rehab beds in Horry County, and the absence causes some older patients to skip the rehabilitation that could be key to their recovery from things such as strokes and hip and knee replacements. She said that the closest rehab beds now are in Georgetown County and Florence.

The beds were identified as a need for the area by the state’s health plan, Carroza said. Resolutions of support for the application have been passed by the Myrtle Beach City Council and the Horry County Council.

Contact STEVE JONES at 444-1765.