Singing River Health System and Ochsner Health System Bring Lifesaving Helicopter Transportation to Gulf Coast
Singing River Health System and Ochsner Health System today announced a new partnership that will bring lifesaving helicopter transportation to the Gulf Coast area.
The Ochsner Flight Care Program, operated by Med-Trans Corporation, will base a helicopter at Ocean Springs Hospital and will be available to provide emergency air transport for critically ill and injured patients of all ages as needed. The Flight Care team can respond within minutes to emergencies including car wrecks, heart attacks, strokes and any other medical situation that is considered time sensitive. Once the Ochsner Flight Care team has responded, patients are transported to the most appropriate medical facility in the region to receive further treatment.
“This is an outstanding opportunity that will greatly benefit the entire Gulf Coast region,” said Kevin Holland, Chief Executive Officer, Singing River Health System. “We are excited to partner with Ochsner to bring this new, life-saving service. This is a great example of two leading healthcare systems working together to enhance the care and services of our area.”
“Having a quality flight care program available is a significant benefit for any community,” said Jeffrey Kuo, MD, Medical Director, Ochsner Flight Care. “We coordinate with other emergency providers within the area and respond in appropriate situations. In many cases, we are the first responders to the scene. Our flight crew can quickly assess the scene and then coordinate the transport with a local hospital’s emergency department to make sure the patient’s care is seamless.”
The helicopter is staffed with a pilot and a two-person medical team comprised of a highly skilled, specially trained critical care registered nurses and a critical care paramedic.
Ochsner Flight Care is licensed by the Department of Emergency Medical Authority of the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, including Jefferson Parish EMS and is an active member of the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS).
“The Singing River Health System Emergency Department is the pinnacle of teamwork,” said Kim Henderson, Director of Emergency and Critical Care Services, Singing River Health System. “Having partners like USA and Ochsner makes it an all-star team. Saving a young boy’s life as we recently did is a testament to that fact.”
Singing River Health System
Singing River Health System is the community based, not-for-profit healthcare provider for Jackson County and the surrounding areas. As one of the county’s largest employers, the system offers award winning, comprehensive care for the Gulf Coast region. Singing River Health System is committed to the highest quality standards, and has achieved national recognition and distinction from the Joint Commission, the American Heart Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi and others.
Ochsner Health System
Ochsner Health System is Louisiana’s largest non-profit, academic, healthcare system. Driven by a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate, coordinated clinical and hospital patient care is provided across the region by Ochsner’s 28 owned, managed and affiliated hospitals and more than 60 health centers. Ochsner is the only Louisiana hospital recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a “Best Hospital” across six specialty categories caring for patients from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide each year. Ochsner employs more than 17,000 employees and over 1,000 physicians in over 90 medical specialties and subspecialties, and conducts more than 1,000 clinical research studies. Ochsner Health System is proud to be a tobacco-free environment. For more information, please visit ochsner.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.