Lafayette Hospital Improves Since Takeover

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Officials say patients at Lafayette's University Hospital & Clinics are spending far less time waiting in the emergency room these days and are more satisfied with the care they receive.

Jared Stark, the chief executive officer, touted the hospital's turnaround since Lafayette General Health took over operations of the public hospital in June through a $15.8 million annual lease agreement with the state.

The Advocate reports the public hospital faced several budget cuts prior to the takeover, forcing the closure or reduction of services. In the past year, those services have been reopened or expanded in orthopedics, pediatrics, cardiology, oncology and medical detox.

Staff at the public hospital had also been reduced to about 500 before the takeover. Now, Stark says 700 are employed at UHC.

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