Lane Regional Medical Center recently activated the hospital’s newly constructed helipad to allow faster transport of patients with life-threatening conditions such as trauma, heart attacks or strokes.
“Having a certified helicopter landing facility will make a dramatic difference for patients in situations where every second is vital,” says CEO Randy Olson. “Since our service area covers a population of approximately 200,000 people from across the region which is mostly rural, having air access on our campus with the proper lighting for landings anytime day or night is crucial to saving lives.”
The 43-by-43 foot landing pad came together under budget for hospital, thanks in part to a grant from the Louisiana Department of Transportation for LED night vision lighting around the pad and a lighted wind sock. Another cost savings was the dirt and dirt work for the project being donated by Barriere Construction Company.
Prior to constructing the helipad, Lane received six to ten air med landings per year. Since completing the certified landing area, Lane has already received seven patients via helicopter, which is an average of one per week.
Lane’s helipad is the only certified hospital air ambulance site in the region, which spans the northern part of East Baton Rouge Parish to East Feliciana, West Feliciana, St. Helena and Pointe Coupee parishes.
