HJNO Sep/Oct 2020

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS I  SEP / OCT 2020 65 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalNO.com healthcare isn’t one size fits all, and we have devel- oped a comprehensive and collaborative care model to meet each individual’s unique needs.” “West Jefferson Medical Center is proud to be one of Louisiana’s top accredited senior care emergency rooms, an achievement that reflects our commitment to provide senior-focused care on the Westbank,” said Rob Calhoun, presi- dent and chief executive officer of West Jeffer- son Medical Center. “Seniors who visit our emer- gency room can be assured that we have the necessary expertise, equipment, and personnel in place to create an unparalleled, senior-friendly experience.” Ochsner Health Care Bridge ProgramProvides NewOption for IndividualsWho Lost Health Insurance Due to COVID-19 A new healthcare solution is available for Loui- siana residents who recently lost health insurance and are currently uninsured due to COVID-19. The new Ochsner Health Care Bridge program is a three-month program designed to keep individu- als connected to their Ochsner physicians and the healthcare services they need to manage chronic conditions, get prescriptions filled, and in many cases, get prescription drug assistance. “Ochsner Health recognizes that consistent access to ongoing care is key to helping individ- uals live healthier lives and our virtual platform enables them to stay connected in ways that are also safe and convenient. At a time when many of our community members have lost their jobs and health insurance, this program is geared to pro- vide a bridge to help individuals maintain relation- ships with their providers and get the high qual- ity healthcare they need,” said Robert Hart, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer at Ochsner Health. Over a three-month period, Ochsner Health Care Bridge enrollees can participate in two virtual visits with their Ochsner primary care provider and securely communicate with their care team, obtain test results, and manage medication requests via the online MyOchsner patient portal. Individuals who are not currently established with an Ochsner primary care provider will be connected with one. Additionally, the program covers one lab panel set – a critical diagnostic tool for primary care providers to evaluate an individual’s overall health. Participants will receive a: • Complete metabolic panel, which tests for a variety of diseases and conditions includ- ing high blood pressure, kidney disease, and liver disease as well as provides insight into chemical balance and metabolism • Lipid profile to evaluate cholesterol levels • Complete blood count, which analyzes and measures the various components of blood to test for various disorders including leuke- mia (cancer of blood-forming tissues) and anemia (a lack of red blood cells that leads to reduced oxygen levels in the body) In lieu of a complete blood count, participants with diabetes will receive a hemoglobin A1C test, which measures the average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. This blood test provides a primary care provider with key data needed to evaluate and adjust a patient’s diabe- tes treatment plan. The Ochsner Health Care Bridge program is $49 per month for three months. Upon enroll- ment, participants will be screened to determine what type of prescription drug assistance may be available to them. At the end of the three- month period, program participants will have the option to renew for another three-month period or cancel. For more information or to apply for Ochsner Health Care Bridge email carebridge@ochsner. org or visit ochsner.org/carebridge.  St. Tammany Health System and Ochsner Health Announce NewCancer Center St. Tammany Health System (STHS) and Ochsner Health announced that they are partnering on a new, state-of-the-art cancer center on the North- shore. The nearly $50 million project will provide west St. Tammany residents (not just patients but also their caregivers and loved ones) with local access to even more coordinated cancer services across different specialties than currently available in our community. “Over the last five years, we have seen signifi- cant growth in the number of patients who have turned to our teams for cancer care,” said Joan Coffman, president and CEO of STHS. “We rec- ognize the growing need to expand local access to care, and we are excited to announce the new cancer center that will provide patients with more local services.” “Patients’ needs are greater than what can be met at the current facility,” said John Herman, CEO of Ochsner Health, Northshore Region. “The new cancer center will provide innovative treatment options through a coordinated team- approach to care, in a comprehensive and holistic healing environment. Patients will have the most advanced care, with convenience of being close to home.” The cancer center will be located on the campus of Ochsner Health Center - Covington at the cor- ner of Ochsner Boulevard and Highway 21. Thibodaux Regional Health SystemPartners with Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux for Students’ Safe Return to School Thibodaux Regional Health System announced that it has partnered with the Diocese of Houma- Thibodaux to help provide a safe return to school for its students and faculty during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. “During these unprecedented times, Thibodaux Regional has been a leader in helping people nav- igate the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Greg Stock, Thibodaux Regional CEO. “Providing guidance and support to the schools is another way that we can positively impact the safety and well-being of our region.” “We appreciate the opportunity to work the Diocese, school administrators, leaders, and teachers in this endeavor,” continued Stock. “We continuously strive to make a difference in the health and wellness of the people in our region.” “Our plans for a safe return of our students, teachers, and staffs to our schools is best sup- ported in collaboration with medical profession- als who can provide us with best practices in this area,” said Suzanne Troxclair, superintendent, Office of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Houma- Thibodaux. “Working with Thibodaux Regional Health System affords us just that opportunity.”  “The services provided through this collabora- tive effort assists us in providing a safer return to our campuses, while allowing us to continue pro- viding an outstanding academic education in a Christ-centered environment,” added Troxclair. n