The Medical Center reported today that the average wait time for people to be seen decreased to 2.2 hours for January, compared with 3.2 hours in December. Those figures compare with 4.02 hours in July. According to USA Today, the average wait time in Virginia hospitals is 3.9 hours.

"The continued improvement in the ER reflects the total team approach throughout the Medical Center," said Art Doloresco, Chief Executive Officer of Danville Regional. "These are significant improvements in a short time, demonstrating what we can do when we all come together." He noted that the ER needs the support of the entire hospital to be successful."

The percentage of people who left the ER without being treated continues to decline. In July, the percentage was 17%. It dropped to 3.2% in December and was even lower, 2.3%, in January.

"We will continue to work hard to improve our ER," said Doloresco. "We are pleased with these results and appreciate the support of employees and physicians in the Medical Center, but we know we still have a lot to do.