Councilman says facility’s smaller size represents state of health care 

LAPLACE — Ochsner Medical Complex – River Parishes is moving its campus location from Rue de Santé to a new freestanding facility near Tiffany Drive and Airline Highway in LaPlace.

The announcement of the new $12 million medical facility was made last week, part of a larger development that calls for the renovation of the current Rue de Santé location into a 82-bed behavioral health facility.

However, the first part of the medical maneuvers calls the new Ochsner Medical Complex – River Parishes opening by the summer of 2017.

“I think the announcement is a testament of Ochsner’s commitment to continue to improve access to health care,” St. John Parish Councilman Buddy Boe said. “The complex they plan on building in LaPlace, even though it’s not as many beds as one might expect, will provide the immediate care that people will need until they can get the long term care. Our residents can have quick access to have their condition treated, whatever that condition could be.”

Ochsner officials said the planned 20,000 square foot medical complex will house a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week freestanding emergency department accommodating 13 beds, onsite laboratory and radiology services using advanced technologies.

Stephen Robinson, Ochsner Medical Center- Kenner chief executive officer, told L’OBSERVATEUR that Ochsner employs approximately 90 staff members on Rue de Santé and will continue to do so at the new location.

“If volumes or our activity were to change, we would have the opportunity to potentially expand jobs there too,” Robinson said. “Certainly, all the staff that are with us today will be now working in the new location down Airline.”

Ochsner acquired River Parishes Hospital in September 2014, reportedly reducing staff by 60 percent and drastically reducing inpatient services.

As recently as January, St. John Parish Health Advisory Committee representative Dr. Fred DeFrancesch said local residents were lacking major hospital-level care.

“It’s important that we have these high level capabilities so that the public is comfortable with receiving care in this area,” he told Parish Council members. “It ensures that patients can stay in the area and receive that type of care closer to home.”

DeFrancesch said the community needed an upgraded local health facility to better handle catastrophic events, adding many patients face dangerous transport concerns.

In contrast, Boe said health care is changing, admitting the closing of River Parishes Hospital in 2014 was a loss for the community but last week’s announcement is a “major win.”

“Of course we would all love the 13-floor major hospital, but that’s not going to happen,” Boe said. “Health care is changing, and we see that all over the region and the nation. I think the key is that we are going to have beds, we’re going to have treatment, we’re going to have access and we’re going to have increased services, and that’s important for our residents.”

Boe said the new complex keeps physicians local, keeps treatment local and represents an infusion of dollars and investment into LaPlace, providing services closer to the heart of the population.

Robinson said the new single-story medical facility on Airline will house emergency services and advanced diagnostics with two distinct entrances under one roof.

In addition, Ochsner officials said their TeleStroke program would be available at the new location to provide lifesaving interventions for patients experiencing a stroke.

“On the emergency services side, we’ll actually expand from nine to 13 (emergency room) bays, which will allow for additional capacity for growth,” Robinson said. “On the diagnostic side, we will offer everything from X-ray to MRI, mammography, stress test and CT – what you typically see in any suite offering for modality. A laboratory will be available there, too, to process blood work.”

Robinson said Ochsner leaders made a commitment when they formally became involved in the LaPlace area back in November of 2014, and “we plan to maintain that commitment.”

“We have certainly seen more of the community now start to identify with us,” he said. “We see this as an opportunity to continue to shape the care that is provided in LaPlace and are excited about being the health care provider in that location.”

— Staff writer Raquel Derganz Baker contributed to this report.