HCA Holdings, Inc.—which operates 171 hospitals and 119 freestanding surgery centers across the U.S. and United Kingdom—announced today that it will purchase three hospitals in Houston from Tenet Health Care Corporation, including the 423-bed Houston Northwest Medical Center and the 171-bed Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital. “The addition of these hospitals will help us expand our network to serve patients in a growing part of the Greater Houston market,” Sam Hazen, president and chief operating officer of HCA, said in a statement. “We are excited about the prospect of them joining us, and we believe there’s an opportunity to add to the services they currently offer and create a more comprehensive provider network for our patients in Houston.” The sale includes all hospital-associated entities, such as free-standing imaging centers, emergency rooms and urgent care centers. HCA’s healthcare network in Houston includes 10 hospitals, eight surgery centers, two freestanding ERs and 10 imaging centers. Hospitals include the Conroe Regional Medical Center, Kingwood Medical Center and West Houston Medical Center. The May 1 announcement also includes the purchase of the 444-bed Park Plaza Hospital in Houston. “We have the highest respect for HCA, and we are pleased that our facilities will become part of this regional system," said Tim Adams, CEO of Tenet’s Texas Region. "HCA shares Tenet’s commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care, and we are confident this decision will preserve what’s best for our hospitals, colleagues, physicians and patients in the Houston community.” The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter subject to regulatory approval, HCA officials said.