Ochsner Lafayette General's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) received some of the smallest evacuees from Hurricane Ida this week.
Six babies were evacuated from Terrebonne General Medical Center as part of their evacuations after the hospital sustained structural damage in the storm and was experiencing water/electrical problems.
The Ochsner Health System partnered with Acadian Ambulance to relocate patients from 3 hospitals and began to evacuate the 4th hospital, Terrebonne General, Monday evening. More than 30 patients systemwide were brought to Lafayette, including ICU, orthopedic, and mental health patients, along with the 6 NICU babies.
"The partnership with Lafayette's been great," said Mike Hulefeld, Chief Operating Officer for Ochsner Health, in a Zoom media briefing Tuesday evening.
Dr. Robert Hart, the system's Chief Medical Officer, added, "It's been great to have a partner outside of the zone of the hurricane so they could help out. It's been very good for our patients."
OLGMC Critical Care Nurse Manager Meagan Daigle says receiving the NICU patients has been a team effort, with members of the Materal Newborn Pediatric Services offering to work extra shifts, coming in on their days off, and staying late for feedings to make sure the NICU is fully staffed.
All six babies are in stable condition and everyone is hopeful to be reunited with their families soon, the hospital says.
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