HJBR Jan/Feb 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  JAN / FEB 2021 59 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com within the industry and has been asked to testify as an expert witness before federal and state health committees regarding ambulance reimbursement. He has given hundreds of presentations on behalf of AAA throughout the years, particularly on pay- ment reform and cost data collection. “It is an honor and privilege to serve on the American Ambulance Association board. I want to thank my colleagues for electing me and their confidence in representing their interests at the national level. I look forward to continuing to work as an advocate for the ambulance industry to address the health and financial stability needs of our industry,” Montes said. AAA CEO Maria Bianchi said, “AAA members are blessed to have Asbel as one of its extraordi- nary volunteer leaders who lends their time and talent to help us advance the needs of the indus- try and ambulance service providers nationwide. Having worked with Asbel for many years, I am thrilled to have him back on our board of directors and look forward to working with him for many years to come.” CIS Earns National Recognition for Blood Pressure Control Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is the only facility in Louisiana that has been awarded Gold Status by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) for its commitment to keeping patient blood pressure rates under control, with the ulti- mate goal of reducing the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes each year. CIS is one of about 500 physician practices and health systems being recognized nationally this year by the AMA and AHA Target: BP program for achieving blood pressure control rates of 70 per- cent or more in their adult patient population with high blood pressure. In fact, 82 percent of CIS patients have their blood pressure controlled. CIS believes this number is attributed to many areas of quality control, such as proper training of its staff on how to take blood pressure properly and accurately. Additionally, CIS asks patients to return within 30 days for a blood pressure check in the clinic if the last blood pressure was elevated and/or if medications were adjusted. Physicians may also ask patients to record their blood pressure readings at home and bring their blood pressure record to their next appointment, allowing them to appropriately treat hypertension rather than adjusting medicine based solely on an isolated visit. In between visits, CIS Cardio@Home navi- gators assist providers in treating hypertension as well. CIS practice administrators and providers also receive monthly data and feedback on these statistics to drive change. Target: BP is a collaboration between the Amer- ican Heart Association and the American Medi- cal Association to reduce the number of Ameri- cans who have heart attacks and strokes by urging physician practices, health systems, and patients to prioritize blood pressure control. The initiative aims to help health care organizations improve blood pressure control rates through the use of the AMA’s evidence-based M.A.P. quality improve- ment program, and recognizes organizations com- mitted to improving blood pressure control. “Making sure our blood pressure is well con- trolled is so important to our overall health,” said David Konur, CIS CEO. “CIS is proud and hon- ored to be the only Louisiana healthcare com- pany to be recognized with an AMA Gold provider award for the work we are doing in managing blood pressure.” Ochsner, State Leaders Announce 10-Year Vision for a Health State Ochsner Health, Governor John Bel Edwards, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng, Xavier Uni- versity of Louisiana President Reynold Verret, and other state and local leaders announced a long- term vision to improve the overall health of the state with a comprehensive strategy to enhance healthcare access, improve health equity, and health outcomes. This 10-year commitment includes an initial investment of $100 million dur- ing the next five years. Investments will support projects that eliminate barriers to healthcare; bring resources into underserved, urban, and rural communities; collaborate with partners to research and better understand health disparities; utilize technology and innovation to improve out- comes; and invest in Louisiana’s next generation of healthcare providers and frontline staff. “Today’s announcement has been years in the making and our continued fight against COVID-19 underscores the pressing need for collaboration and continued investment in the health of our communities,” said Warner L. Thomas, president and CEO, Ochsner Health. “Louisiana’s unfortu- nate distinction of being ranked one of the least healthy states is not just a number – it reflects the lives and livelihood of our friends, neighbors, col- leagues, and family. We won’t accept the chal- lenges we face today as our future state and are committed to improving our health and imple- menting our vision over the next decade. We understand that accomplishing this aspirational goal will happen by coming together and we implore other organizations, local leaders, and community members to join us in this journey to create a healthier state.” “The Ochsner Health Board supports this bold vision for a healthier Louisiana and we are excited to work together with state and community lead- ers to improve and save lives across our region,” said Andrew Wisdom, chair, Ochsner Health Board of Directors. “This commitment delivers on the mission of our organization and will cre- ate a better, healthier state for today and gener- ations to come.” The Current State of Louisiana’s Health Louisiana has consistently ranked at or near the bottom of the country for nearly a decade, plac- ing 49th in 2020 by America’s Health Rankings. Clinical, behavioral, environmental, and social factors are analyzed to determine a state’s health rankings. Key challenges facing the state include a high percentage of children in poverty, people who smoke, prevalence of obesity, low birth weights, and higher rates of cardiovascular death and can- cer deaths. Louisiana’s population also has some of the country’s highest rates of chronic condi- tions including diabetes, high blood pressure and COPD. This year, New Orleans emerged as one of the country’s first and hardest hit COVID- 19 hotspots. Regions across the state have con- tinued to face high positivity rates and additional hospitalizations related to COVID-19. The Strategy to Address Health Needs Ochsner leaders, physicians and researchers have spent years analyzing health factors and dis- parities to identify the greatest needs across the region. Based on this data, a strategy was devel- oped and will be implemented over the next 10