LAPLACE — When Ochsner took over River Parishes Hospital in 2014, there were a lot of things the staff wished it could change to make it better.

Rather than go through a tedious remodel, the powers-that-be decided it would be better to just start over from scratch.

The result is the state-of-the-art Ochsner Medical Complex, a freestanding medical facility, which opened Tuesday on Airline Highway near Tiffany Drive in LaPlace.

The $12 million facility brings the absolute latest in medical technology to the residents of the River Region and beyond while providing emergency services.

“This building is really, in our minds, continuing to live up to our commitment to the community,” said Stephen Robinson Jr., Chief Executive Officer for Ochsner Medical Center – -Kenner. “In this one building, we (had) an opportunity to build from scratch the way we would expect at any of our Ochsner facilities, with a focus on efficiency and patient experience. We were able to take aspects of our design that we know are tried and true at Ochsner, and combine that with the input of our physicians and staff here locally in LaPlace.”

With input from the hundreds of doctors and technicians in the Ochsner system, the designers were able to put together what Robinson called “a wish list” of patient care.

The facility is a welcome addition to St. John the Baptist Parish, said Parish President Natalie Robottom, who said it provides residents easy access to critical emergency and diagnostic services.

“Ochsner has worked closely with my office throughout this project, providing regular updates and introductions of new staff,” she said. “As Parish President, I look forward to maintaining a close working relationship with Ochsner as their operations continue to grow and expand in our Parish.”

The 20,000 square foot building includes a 13-bed, 24-hour emergency room (an increase from nine beds at the old facility) with two trauma bays, an onsite laboratory and radiology services.

It also includes two rooms specifically set aside for psychiatric patients.

In addition, the “Ochsner TeleStroke” program will be available, providing potentially lifesaving interventions for stroke patients.

All patients also will be connected to the Ochsner information system, which allows doctors at any Ochsner facility to instantly see patients’ records.

Another portion of the building is set aside for diagnostic services for outpatients, including cardiology, CT scans, X-rays and a new 3D mammography unit, the first of its kind in the area.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for us to bring state-of-the-art technology to the LaPlace area,” Robinson said.

The old hospital location on Rue de Sante is being converted to an 82-bed behavioral health facility.