Laurel Regional's 90-day checkup shows 'significant improvement'

University of Maryland doctors took over emergency department July 1

Arsenault was quick to add that Laurel Regional currently has state-of-the-art emergency services equipment, such as its new CT scanner and radiology equipment. But hospital officials plan to expand the Emergency Department in the near future and will rely heavily on the expertise of UMMS officials as that takes place.

Short-term, officials want to change the perception of the hospital, so it is looked upon by more people as a place for quality health care. Laurel Regional officials have struggled with that issue for years, even after undergoing numerous upgrades over the past several years in the hospital's Maternity Care Ward, Orthopedic Unit, Sleep Research Center and other departments.

"We don't think it's well known that our care is just as good as other hospitals and that 99 percent of all emergency care can be taken care of at Laurel Regional," Arsenault said. "The goal is to continue making improvements in care and getting faster service for patients. The partnership with UMMS, which comes with additional physicians and physician's training, will all help to change that perception."