Samaritan to Partner With Life Flight Network for Transport

The Samaritan Health Services-affiliated hospitals in Lincoln County have announced an agreement with Life Flight Network to provide advanced life support transport by ground ambulance for patients, beginning later this year.

Sam Jones, vice president of Patient Care Services for Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital, and Victor Walco, director of business development for Life Flight Network, announced the signing of the agreement last week.

Under the agreement, advanced life support ambulances will be based at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital and Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital with the sole purpose of meeting patient transport needs. This can include patient transfers to another hospital based on bed availability or care requirements, and transport to post-acute care facilities such as nursing homes.

The partnership does not impact the agreement that the Lincoln County government has with two existing ambulance service companies – Pacific West Ambulance and South Lincoln Ambulance – for responding to 911 emergency calls and transporting patients to the nearest hospital.

“We are excited about the expansion of service that will enhance patient care for our entire rural county,” said Jones. “PacWest and South Lincoln can focus on what they do so well – providing emergency and stabilizing care to individuals needing to come to the hospital. However, when an ambulance is used to transport a patient from one of our hospitals to a hospital in Corvallis, Portland or elsewhere in our region that leaves our county shorthanded for 911 emergency response. We feel this new collaboration between Samaritan and Life Flight Network is an excellent solution that benefits everyone.”

When making the announcement, Life Flight Network’s Walco expressed excitement to execute the agreement.

“Life Flight Network is thrilled to partner with Samaritan Health Services to bring additional lifesaving resources to the people of Lincoln County,” said Walco. “These advanced life support ambulances, staffed by highly trained paramedics, will supplement our 24/7 critical care helicopter based in Newport, providing additional assets for time-sensitive emergency transports, improving outcomes and ultimately, saving lives.”

About Life Flight Network

Life Flight Network, founded in 1978, is a not-for-profit patient transport service providing helicopter, fixed wing and ground ambulance transport throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. For over 45 years, Life Flight Network has provided award-winning service and support to patients, hospitals, and EMS, ensuring all patients receive the highest quality care and transport. Life Flight Network is owned by a consortium of health care systems consisting of Oregon Health & Science University, Legacy Health, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center and Providence Health & Services.

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