HJBR-2020-jul-aug

28 JUL / AUG 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs Mitchell, South Central Louisiana Human Ser- vices Authority. From Shreveport, La.: Kristal Chambers, Assured Behavioral Concepts; Ashley Enders Clinger, Clinger Family Counseling Services; and E. Mary Cone, Superior Counseling Services. From Thibodaux, La.: Dawn Chadwick, Strate- gic Interventions. Louisiana Youth Host Statewide Virtual Concert onWorld No Tobacco Day On World No Tobacco Day, Louisiana high school students showed support of tobacco-free lifestyles and Clean Air Month by leading a virtual concert via Zoom. The concert featured Dee-1 and Terry and The Zydeco Bad Boys. The students are members of Next Era, a statewide youth movement promoting healthy, tobacco-free lifestyles. The Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) oversees Next Era’s efforts in Louisiana. In addition to educating students and adults on the health risks of smoking and vaping, Next Era members frequently advocate for the Health- ier Air for All (HAFA) program. HAFA focuses on eliminate smoking in all spaces and places on behalf of the 78 percent of Louisiana residents who are not smokers but are affected by sec- ondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke can cause short-term illnesses, including bronchitis and asthma attacks, and prolonged exposure can lead to strokes, heart attacks, or lung cancer. Currently, there is no comprehensive, statewide policy against smoking in public spaces. The Lou- isiana Smoke-Free Air Act, which passed in 2006, eliminated smoking in public places and restau- rants, but exempts bars and gaming facilities. Crisis Counseling Text Line Now Available to Louisiana Residents A new, counseling text line is now available to provide free, confidential, 24/7 support for people in crisis. All someone has to do is text REACHOUT (all caps together) to 741741 to con- nect to a trained crisis counselor who will help individuals de-escalate, identify coping strate- gies, and who will use active listening techniques. “We know this crisis has created challenges out- side of those we face with a normal emergency,” said GOHSEP Director JimWaskom. “The issues impacting many people may linger as we transi- tion through the different phases of recovery. If you or anyone you know may be struggling with the COVID-19 crisis, please urge them to take advantage of this unique program offered by the state.” This resource is available to provide additional options to connect and cope with stress, anxiety, and other difficult situations as a result of COVID- 19 in addition to the existing resources. Anyone in emotional distress or crisis who feels a chat via text would help should immediately connect in order to resolve emotions of the moment. “This pandemic has brought much uncertainty and it is a difficult time for each of us. This texting resource is an addition to the other resources and materials we have been providing that address anxiety, mental health, and substance use chal- lenges during this crisis. If additional help is needed, a referral can be made to the appro- priate behavioral health provider,” said Karen Stubbs, assistant secretary of Office of Behavioral Health, Louisiana Department of Health. Text REACHOUT to 741741 or call (866) 310- 7977. These services are free, confidential, and available 24/7. This service is being provided by the State of Louisiana’s Crisis Counseling Program for COVID-19. Louisiana Department of Health Announces 11 Partners to Execute Comprehensive Testing Plan The Louisiana Department of Health has con- tracted with 11 partners as part of a comprehen- sive testing plan that was submitted on May 30 to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser- vices, which outlines how the state will increase testing across the state, especially in congregate settings where the risk of spread is high. As of May 28, 347,647 tests have been reported to the State with an overall 11.1 percent positiv- ity rate, which means 11.1 percent of total tests reported actually turned out positive for COVID- 19. The federal goal is less than 10 percent posi- tivity. The expectation that the 200,000 tests goal for the month of May will be met. The state’s comprehensive plan includes four goals for the months of May and June: • Increase baseline testing by 100,000 tests by the end of May • Achieve monthly statewide testing at 4 per- cent per capita • Achieve 2 percent per capita tested in all par- ishes by the end of May • Achieve positivity of 10 percent or less as a state and regionally Louisiana’s testing plan features a multipronged approach to test vulnerable populations, includ- ing congregate settings (such as nursing homes and correctional facilities), communities with insufficient access to testing (including African American and rural communities), and popula- tions that require specialized approaches to test- ing (including populations with special needs). The Governor’s Health Equity Taskforce provided feedback on this comprehensive plan to ensure that increased testing across the state addresses and reaches these communities. The State continues to expand overall test- ing capacity through the State Lab, partnerships across the state, and with contracts to meet any gaps in testing capacity. The State has recently executed contracts for laboratory services, com- munity testing, Congregate Facility Testing Teams (CFTT) and Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) teams. Laboratory services will work to quickly, effi- ciently, and correctly test and report COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) results. Com- munity testing teams will work within their com- munities to staff mobile and diagnostic testing sites. CFTTs will work in congregate settings as needed. ICAR teams will provide information, tools and resources to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare settings. Infec- tion control assessments will be conducted onsite at facilities and include review of safety and clean- ing practices, visitor restrictions, monitoring and screening of residents and staff, PPE use, and a plan for resident grouping based on positiv- ity rates. The state is partnering with 11 commercial providers. They include: Provider, Omega Diag- nostics, LLC, Premier Lab Services, Stone Clin- ical Laboratories, Tulane University Health Sci- ences Center (contract pending), LCMC Health, LSU Health Shreveport, New Orleans East Hos- pital, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, Pafford Medical