82-bed behavioral health facility coming to St. John; Ochsner River Parishes moving locations
Published 10:50 am Wednesday, June 1, 2016
- Ochsner Health System provided a rendering of a new 82-bed behavioral health facility, which be located in LaPlace.
LAPLACE — Ochsner Health System and Acadia Healthcare are partnering to provide behavioral health services to St. John the Baptist Parish and beyond by repurposing the existing River Parishes Hospital building to an 82-bed behavioral health facility.
A rendering shows the new Ochsner Medical Complex, which will serve as a free-standing medical facility located near Tiffany Drive and Airline Highway in LaPlace.
Ochsner also announced Ochsner Medical Complex – River Parishes will be rebuilt in a new location as a state-of-the-art facility.
Currently, Louisiana ranks 39th in the nation for access to care related to substance abuse and mental health treatment. Recent estimates demonstrate a need for more than 400 beds in the Greater New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas.
“As the leading provider of psychiatric and addiction treatment facilities, addressing behavioral health issues is our primary focus and specialty,” said Joey Jacobs, Chairman & CEO of Acadia Healthcare. “We have formed a partnership with Ochsner to oversee the joint operations of a new, behavioral health hospital in LaPlace. We look forward to helping thousands of patients at this new facility each and every year.”
Warner Thomas, president and chief executive officer at Ochsner Health System, said last year more than 4,000 patients were transferred from eight Ochsner emergency departments across the Southeast to other facilities for psychiatric care.
“This partnership and new facility addresses the current shortage and significant need for behavioral health services throughout Louisiana and across our region,” Thomas said.
Through this partnership, Ochsner will make a significant contribution in providing the facility and Acadia will invest $16 to 18 million in the facility build out, equipment and working capital. Estimated to open in 2018, the new facility is expected to grow to an average daily census of more than 60 patients, with more than 2,500 annual admissions and more than 3,000 outpatient visits.
It also represents an additional 145 jobs in St. John Parish, officials announced Wednesday.
Ochsner also announced today the new location for the Ochsner Medical Complex – River Parishes, currently open on the River Parishes Hospital campus. The free-standing $12 million medical facility will be located near Tiffany Drive and Airline Highway in LaPlace.
The planned 20,000 square foot medical complex is expected to be completed by the summer of 2017 and will house a 24-hour, 7-day a week freestanding emergency department accommodating 13 beds, onsite laboratory and radiology services using advanced technologies.
In addition, the Ochsner TeleStroke program will be available at this location to provide lifesaving interventions for patients experiencing a stroke. This addition of virtual expertise has proven to significantly improve outcomes for these patients.
“We are proud to present both a new, state-of-the-art medical facility that will serve the LaPlace area, and a partnership with Acadia Healthcare on providing another important service in the community,” said Stephen Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, Ochsner Medical Center- Kenner.
St. John Parish President Natalie Robottom said she is excited about the announcement and Ochsner’s commitment to St. John the Baptist Parish.
“In addition to providing much needed medical and behavioral health care for our residents, their planned investment of nearly $30 million will provide an economic boon to our area and create more than 145 quality jobs,” she said. “The new facility and repurposing of the existing facility are two more components to St. John’s path to prosperity.”
Ochsner Health System acquired the former River Parishes Hospital in November 2014.
