Photo by Molly Walker

Ginny Hochberg of Curry General Hospital uses a Datascope on Dan Brattain, owner of Cal-Ore Life Flights Ground and Air Ambulance. Cal-Ore has committed the proceeds from all new memberships in March towards a new Datascope for the hospital, with a goal of 100 new members to obtain the vital piece of equipment.

Datascopes are the workhorse used for patients for Curry General Hospital. In order to help fund the purchase of an additional Datascope, Cal-Ore Life Flight Ground and Air Ambulance, is pledging the income from all memberships purchased in the month of March towards the purchase of a Datascope, which costs $7000.

“We support Curry General Hospital,” said Dan Brattain, President and CEO for Cal-Ore Life Flight. “What an asset it is — we see it every day in our business.”

For the local ambulance company, care of a patient begins the minute EMTS arrive on the scene. Those who are transported to Curry General, may either be admitted, released, or stabilized until a company such as Brattain’s can safely get patients to a larger facility when necessary.

“Working in harmony with the ambulance is critical,” added Dr. Reg Williams, Chief of Staff.

Brattain said that in areas such as the eastern portion of the state, an ambulance transport can be as long as two hours.

While there may be fairly lengthy transports from areas such as Agness, Curry General’s central location in Gold Beach helps to alleviate transportation time, explained the hospital’s clinical administrator, Ginny Hochberg.

Curry General has been spending money on equipment to better serve patients — and the funds from Cal-Ore Life Flight’s membership drive will help in that effort.

“I think Curry County is recognizing Curry General Hospital more and more,” stated Williams. In addition to the new 16 channel CT scanner which should arrive soon, a long-term plan is being developed to build a three story hospital in Gold Beach as well as a facility in Brookings and additional development for Port Orford, Williams said. 2010 is the target date for the new facility, Williams added.

Cal-Ore Life Flight has both paramedics and EMT’s who are highly trained for patient care. In addition to several ambulances, Cal-Ore has four aircraft which are capable of speeds in excess of 300 miles per hour which provide state-of-the-art Advanced Life Support (ALS) with experienced, FAA approved Airline Transport Rated pilots trained in Critical Care and ALS. The flights will take patients from or to Curry County to the destination of their physician’s choice.

Cal-Ore Life Flight has over 12,000 participants who belong to the membership program. Benefits including acceptance of the patient’s medical insurance as payment in full, discounts for non-transport services, discounts for convenience/convalescent non-emergency transports and the knowledge that the membership dollars help support the local EMS air and ground services.

Those wishing to participate in the membership drive and help with the purchase of the Datascope can fill out the membership information request form at Cal-Ore Life Flight’s website (www.cal-ore.com), email to info@cal-ore.com or call 541-469-7911 or toll-free 800-761-5183.