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Posted: September 1st, 2013
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Welcomes Life Air Rescue
Beginning September 4, 2013, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center (NRMC) will have Med-Trans Corporation’s Life Air Rescue stationed on the hospital campus. Equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and designed specifically for transporting critically ill patients, the Bell 407 helicopter will help ensure expedient high quality care for NRMC patients who need emergency transport.
“We are especially pleased to have this service for our community,” explained Kirk Soileau, Chief Executive Officer of NRMC. “We deliver more than 700 babies a year here, and we have an outstanding well baby nursery. However, when a newborn needs Level II or higher care as is often the case with premature babies or multiples or babies with congenital birth defects, we need to transport them to a hospital that has Level III or even Level IV services. In these situations, the air ambulance will work exceedingly well,” he noted. “The same holds true for trauma patients. When every minute counts, having a helicopter stationed here rather than calling one in from Shreveport will save valuable time and can even make the difference between life and death in critical cases,” Soileau explained.
According to Soileau, NRMC and Med-Trans Corporation have a five-year contractual relationship to provide the service, and the helicopter will be stationed at the hospital. The only time the aircraft will be taken to the airport will be for weather issues. “The helicopter crew who are not only trained in aviation but also in emergency transporting will be living on the hospital campus to ensure 24-hour service, 7 days a week,” Soileau said. “They will join our Emergency Room team, doctors, and nurses in providing the care critically ill patients need during transport.”
Life Air Rescue is recognized as an industry leader in clinical care as well as aviation safety. The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art safety equipment and features, such as night vision goggles, radar altimeters, GPS navigation, satellite tracking and communications and helicopter terrain alert warning systems (HTAWS). Life Air Rescue currently operates a base location in Shreveport, and that program has been CAMTS accredited since 1996.
About Natchitoches Regional Medical Center:
NRMC is a 100-bed acute care facility serving the parishes of Natchitoches, Sabine and Winn parishes. With an active and consulting medical staff of more than 100 physicians and 500 employees, NRMC is committed to meeting the growing healthcare needs of the community. In addition to the hospital, NRMC operates the Courtyard, 112-bed nursing home; a 15-bed Geriatric Psychiatric Unit; Natchitoches Assisted Living Retirement Community; the Rural Health Clinic in Campti; and the PRISM Center which is a comprehensive rehabilitation facility offering services Natchitoches as well as in Many. For a physician referral or more information about NRMC, please visit our website at www.natchitocheshospital.org or call 318.214.4200.