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The transfer of severely ill or injured patients from Roseburg's only hospital has become much more efficient.
When time is of the essence and a patient needs to be transferred to a trauma or burn center, medical staff can now wheel a gurney out the door of the Mercy Medical Center Emergency Department to a waiting helicopter.
About two months ago, a new helicopter pad opened for business in the hospital's parking lot. It's filled a community need that's existed about 10 years.
Previously, patients in need of a transfer had to be taken by ambulance to the Roseburg Regional Airport before they could be placed in an aircraft and flown to another hospital. The extra time for driving to the airport, along with connecting and disconnecting IV fluids, medication and lifesaving equipment put patients at additional risk.
Having the helipad next to the hospital improves the quality of care for patients and saves crucial time.
The hospital officially unveiled the helipad with a reception last week, hosted by the Mercy Foundation, which raised the estimated $250,000 cost of installing the pad and relocating the displaced parking lot. Emergency Department physician Chuck McCart led the effort to get a helicopter pad installed after a previous landing spot was ousted by the building of the ORegon Surgery Center.
He firmly believes that as little as a 10-minute delay can make a big difference in the outcome of a patient.
Transferring patients by helicopter wouldn't be possible without the crew of Emergency Airlift, owned by Ed Langerveld, which is stationed at the Roseburg airport.
Crew members are on hand 24 hours a day to respond when a call comes from the hospital. A transport requires the services of a pilot — Langerveld is chief pilot — a nurse and paramedic to accompany the patient to the next hospital. The quarters of the helicopter are tight, but they contain all of the lifesaving medical equipment of an ambulance.
The main difference is the speed at which each travels. With a top speed of 138 mph, the helicopter can be at a Eugene hospital in about a half-hour and in Portland in 90 minutes.
Already, the helicopter crew has been put to use about 50 times. Hospital officials expected they would need 20 to 25 airlifts per month when they were in the planning stages of the pad.
While no one wants to think of a time when a family member, friend or co-worker might need emergency services, particularly an airlift to an out-of-town hospital, it's nice to know that Mercy has taken steps to transfer patients more quickly, safely and conveniently.
When time is of the essence and a patient needs to be transferred to a trauma or burn center, medical staff can now wheel a gurney out the door of the Mercy Medical Center Emergency Department to a waiting helicopter.
About two months ago, a new helicopter pad opened for business in the hospital's parking lot. It's filled a community need that's existed about 10 years.
Previously, patients in need of a transfer had to be taken by ambulance to the Roseburg Regional Airport before they could be placed in an aircraft and flown to another hospital. The extra time for driving to the airport, along with connecting and disconnecting IV fluids, medication and lifesaving equipment put patients at additional risk.
Having the helipad next to the hospital improves the quality of care for patients and saves crucial time.
The hospital officially unveiled the helipad with a reception last week, hosted by the Mercy Foundation, which raised the estimated $250,000 cost of installing the pad and relocating the displaced parking lot. Emergency Department physician Chuck McCart led the effort to get a helicopter pad installed after a previous landing spot was ousted by the building of the ORegon Surgery Center.
He firmly believes that as little as a 10-minute delay can make a big difference in the outcome of a patient.
Transferring patients by helicopter wouldn't be possible without the crew of Emergency Airlift, owned by Ed Langerveld, which is stationed at the Roseburg airport.
Crew members are on hand 24 hours a day to respond when a call comes from the hospital. A transport requires the services of a pilot — Langerveld is chief pilot — a nurse and paramedic to accompany the patient to the next hospital. The quarters of the helicopter are tight, but they contain all of the lifesaving medical equipment of an ambulance.
The main difference is the speed at which each travels. With a top speed of 138 mph, the helicopter can be at a Eugene hospital in about a half-hour and in Portland in 90 minutes.
Already, the helicopter crew has been put to use about 50 times. Hospital officials expected they would need 20 to 25 airlifts per month when they were in the planning stages of the pad.
While no one wants to think of a time when a family member, friend or co-worker might need emergency services, particularly an airlift to an out-of-town hospital, it's nice to know that Mercy has taken steps to transfer patients more quickly, safely and conveniently.
