Md. Official: State Hospital Needs Improvements
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- The Department of Public Health and Mental Hygiene says a management overhaul at the state-owned Western Maryland Hospital Center in Hagerstown follows an inspection that showed a need for improvements.
Former CEO Cynthia Pellegrino acknowledged Wednesday that she recently left the hospital, which provides rehabilitation and long-term nursing-home care to a daily average of 61 patients. Pellegrino wouldn't discuss the reason for her resignation.
The state health department said Tuesday it has contracted with local private hospital owner Meritus Health to manage the center for the next six months.
Deputy Secretary Thomas Kim tells The Herald-Mail the decision followed a recent inspection that identified a number of areas that needed improvement. He wouldn't elaborate but says the problems didn't lead to any deaths or serious injuries.
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
