Dimensions Healthcare System

Laurel Regional Hospital Emergency Department Renovation and Expansion Project $675,000 Grant and Construction Contract Approved By The Board of Public Works

April 21, 2006

At the meeting of the Board of Public Works, Governor Ehrlich said that the renovation and expansion of Laurel Regional Hospital's Emergency Department "was desperately needed." Award of the low bid in the amount of $1,038,000 went to Shade Construction Company. In addition to the $675,000 grant from the State of Maryland, the balance of $363,000 needed to fully fund the project will be provided through contributions from the Laurel Regional Hospital Auxiliary and Foundations. The State grant will be administered through Prince George's County on behalf of the hospital.

According to Hospital President Douglas Shepherd: "Renovating and expanding the Emergency Department will allow us to better serve our patients. It will meet the growing needs for emergency services in the Laurel service area. Laurel Regional Hospital serves about 38,000 emergency patients annually who deserve state-of-the-art healthcare. We can only expect that number to increase with the growth in Laurel."

Laurel Regional Hospital Chairman William F. "Bill" Williams said, "This project is another great example of how everyone is working together for better healthcare in our community. We want to thank Governor Ehrlich and all the members of the Prince George's County legislative delegation for their help in funding this important project. We also want to thank the members of the Auxiliary and the Foundation for their continuing support of the hospital."

The new project will expand emergency treatment capacity by nearly 40% from 21 rooms to 29 rooms. These 29 treatment rooms will include a 15 room Acute Care pod that will handle the most acute emergency patients and a 14 room Quick Care pod to care for less acute patients with urgent care conditions. To accommodate the expansion of the Emergency Department, the hospital recently relocated its Cardiology Department into a new area. The architectural firm of Wilmot Sanz designed both the Cardiology and Emergency Department projects. It is expected that construction of the expanded Emergency Department will take approximately eight months to complete.

The renovation and expansion of the Emergency Department follows closely behind the recent announcement by County Executive Jack B. Johnson and County Council Chairman Thomas Dernoga of the new Senior Activities Center to be constructed on the campus of Laurel Regional Hospital. To help facilitate the development of the new Senior Activities Center, the hospital donated 6.5 acres of land to the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

ANNOUNCEMENT:
The public may contact the Joint Commission's Office of Quality Monitoring to report any concerns or register complaint about a Joint Commission-accredited health care organization by either calling 1-800-994-6610 or e-mailing complaint@jointcommission.org.

DISCLAIMER: Except for faculty members, the physicians, midwives and other medical personnel depicted herein are NOT employees or agents of Dimensions Health Corporation but are private or independently contracted practitioners with privileges to admit patients to our facilities, and/or to treat patients who come to our hospital for medical care.

NEW VISITOR GUIDELINES DURING FLU SEASON
We are currently experiencing flu within the community and have adjusted our Visitors policy. You will not be able to visit if you are sick with any of the following: Fever, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Runny Nose, Sore Throat and/or Cough. No visitors who are pregnant or under the age of 18. Thank you for helping us protect our patients, visitors and staff. For more information about the Flu, visit The Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.

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