CHARITY'S TRAUMA CENTER TEMPORARILY RELOCATES TO OSCHNER'S ELMWOOD HOSPITAL

The LSU Health Care Services Division will re-establish Trauma Care in the New Orleans area at a leased space in Ochsner's Elmwood Hospital. The facility will begin accepting patients on April 24. This new location will house the highly acclaimed Trauma unit that was destroyed at Charity Hospital by Hurricane Katrina.

"Charity's Trauma Center was world renowned for its care," commented Dr. Cathi Fontenot, MCLNO Medical Director, "residents rebuilding the Crescent City can expect the same level of trauma service at this temporary location."

Only a few of the nation's hospital emergency rooms have level one status, and prior to the storm, Charity Hospital housed the only Level 1 Trauma Care in the region.

Since the storm caused Charity Hospital to close its doors, the LSU Medical Center in Shreveport was the nearest location for patients to receive such care.

The Trauma Center at Elmwood will house specialized physicians and nurses around the clock, 365 days a year, to treat the most serious, lifethreatening injuries.

"This location will be for trauma cases only and will not provide a walk-in emergency room or clinic," said Dr. Cathi Fontenot. "It will be referred to as the LSU/Medical Center of Louisiana New Orleans Trauma Center."

The lease will remain in effect until December 31, 2006.

"LSU wants to thank Dr. Quinlan for his leadership and cooperation in helping to return Trauma services to our community," said Donald Smithburg, CEO of the LSU Health Care Services Division.