MIAMI, FL — In light of the devastation from Hurricane Katrina, the Miami Children's Hospital (MCH) LifeFlight™ staff and helicopter are preparing to leave tonight to assist Children's Hospital of New Orleans in the evacuation of 100 pediatric patients and their families. The patients will be transported to regional facilities for immediate care. Miami Children's has offered to transport children back to Miami Children's to provide the medical services they need. The MCH helicopter is also delivering medications, hydration fluids, electrolytes, emergency supplies, baby formula and scrubs for the hospital staff. 


WHERE: Opa-Locka Airport, Building #47, 14201 N.W. 42 Avenue, Opa-Locka 
WHEN: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 Scheduled departure time: 9:00 p.m. 
SPOKESPERSON: Maria Fernandez, MSN, ARNP, Director of LifeFlight™ 


ABOUT LIFEFLIGHT
The Miami Children’s Hospital aircraft is the most sophisticated air ambulance available. The Sikorsky S76 C+ helicopter is capable of flying up to 300 miles without stopping to refuel and features the latest, most up-to-date flight instrumentation. As a mobile critical care unit, the medical configuration of the aircraft includes built-in oxygen and air, lighting controls, intravenous fluid holders and flight-team-to-hospital communications. LifeFlight™ carries the most advanced life-support equipment, compactly arranged to ensure the maximum utilization of space. 



ABOUT MIAMI CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Founded in 1950, Miami Children's Hospital is the only licensed specialty hospital for children in South Florida. Miami Children's Hospital offers medical care and services for children from birth to age 21. The 268-bed medical facility has expertise in all aspects of pediatric medicine.