HJBR Jan/Feb 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  JAN / FEB 2021 63 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com surgeries are gastric sleeve surgery and bypass surgery. “This designation tells patients that when they choose Woman’s for weight loss surgery, they will not only receive our expertise of caring for women, but they also gain access to a compre- hensive program that has been recognized as one of the best in the region in quality and value,” said Suzette Fontenot, bariatric surgery manager and weight loss surgery coordinator at Woman’s Hospital. When a patient chooses Woman’s for weight loss surgery, she receives support though every step of the process. A weight loss surgery coor- dinator assists with everything from financing sur- gery to connecting women to resources to ensure success. A registered dietitian helps with nutri- tional needs before and after surgery, a clinical exercise physiologist designs exercise plans, a bariatric clinical reviewer responsible for produc- ing high quality data to lead quality improvement projects, and a monthly support group led by our bariatric dietitian and a social worker to help patients manage emotional challenges. The Blue Distinction Specialty Care Program for bariatric surgery includes two levels of desig- nation, Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) and Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+). To qualify for desig- nation, the facility must provide a full range of bar- iatric surgery care, including inpatient care, post- operative care, outpatient follow-up care, and patient education. Woman’s Hospital achieved the designation of BDC+, which recognizes expertise in delivering cost-efficient bariatric care in addi- tion to quality care, treatment expertise, and bet- ter overall patient outcomes. The weight loss surgery program at Woman’s is also nationally accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP). Ochsner Expands Smoking Cessation Program Ochsner Health has announced that it is expanding its smoking cessation program. Effec- tive immediately, smoking cessation at Ochsner is free for all adults in Louisiana and Mississippi. The program, offered at 27 different Ochsner Health locations (including two current locations in Baton Rouge), provides medical and social support resources to smokers looking to kick the habit for good. Resources for individuals looking to quit vaping, which has created a national health crisis, are also covered in the program. A key driver of the health challenges facing Lou- isiana are high rates of smoking and vaping. Over 20 percent of Louisianans smoke, compared with a national average of 13.7%. Even more alarming, the Louisiana Youth Tobacco Survey found that approximately one in seven middle school stu- dents (15.4%) and one in three high school stu- dents (31.6%) in Louisiana have used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. Ochsner is expanding its commitment to help community members stop smoking with new locations in New Orleans East, Monroe, Shreve- port, Lake Charles, and Hancock (Miss.), as well as increased access in Baton Rouge at both Och- sner Health Center – O’Neal and Ochsner Medi- cal Complex – The Grove. In 2021, Baton Rouge will add a third location to offer smoking cessation with the opening of Ochsner Community Health – Brees Dream Center (inside New Era Medi- cal Office Complex, 7855 Howell Blvd. in Baton Rouge). Smoking Cessation offers a customized approach for each person, including selecting a “quit date” together. People enrolled in the program receive counseling and medication to help stop the habit and reduce the negative side effects of tobacco detox. Smoking is the nation’s leading cause of preventable death. It takes the average smoker six to12 attempts at quitting before they are successful. To set your “quit date” and learn more about the Ochsner Smoking Cessation Program, call the dedicated Ochsner quit smoking line, toll free, at (866) 888-1378. Woman’s Hospital Selected as Recipient of Project 4 Donation Woman’s Hospital is one of 10 national hospi- tals to receive a NICU donation as part of Proj- ect 4, an initiative sponsored by Project Sweet Peas, a national nonprofit organization that sup- ports NICUs and NICU families, and 4moms, the makers of the mamaRoo infant seat. In its fourth year, the Project 4 “Nominate a NICU” program invites parents, families, and hospital employees to share their stories about their incredible NICUs and NICU staff for the opportunity to become one of 10 hospital donation recipients. “It was difficult to select just 10 hospitals,” said Amie Stanton, director of brand engagement at 4moms. “We received over 3,200 nominations, including nearly 200 for Woman’s Hospital – the most of any hospital in the country. It’s clear that this community is passionate and thankful for this NICU. We were honored to be able to support this team and their efforts to help comfort their tiniest patients.” The mamaRoo infant seat is currently used in more than 375 hospitals across the country. Doc- tors and nurses find the natural bouncing and swaying motion of the seat to be transforma- tional in caring for preemies, and babies with severe conditions, such as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). “We are grateful for the donation and honored to have the support from those who nominated us to make that a possibility,” said Laurel Kitto, NICU director at Woman’s Hospital. “The mamaRoo is a favorite with NICU nurses and families, and now more of our tiny patients will have access to one while in the hospital.” The Level III-S, 84-bed NICU at Woman’s is the largest in Louisiana. The unit design allows each family to have their own room rather than many babies and families sharing one large room. It also serves as a regional referral center for sur- rounding area hospitals. The unit has neonatolo- gists, physician specialists, and specially trained NICU nurses, respiratory therapists, and techni- cians available around the clock to provide care to infants who are premature, critically ill, or require surgical intervention. Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital Opens Level III Surgical NICU Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital opened its newest addition to pediatric service offerings - a Level III Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The 6,700 square foot space, known as Newton & Betsy Thomas Family Center for New- born & Infant Intensive Care, has 10 rooms with 11 beds with one room having two beds for siblings. “This Center provides destination care to new- borns and infants that have surgical needs or com- plicated medical conditions that benefit from