HJBR Sep/Oct 2022

32 SEP / OCT 2022  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs University School of Medicine. “Since they are the first medical point of contact, they can save pre- cious minutes of treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals to an incoming heart attack patient.” “Acadian Ambulance is honored to be recog- nized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack patients,” said Acadian Quality Improve- ment Manager Clint Braud. “The Mission: Lifeline program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis so patients have the best possible chance of survival.” Acadian Ambulance offers emergency and non- emergency transportation to areas in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. LDH Issues Recommendation on COVIDVaccine for Children Ages 6Months and Up All Louisiana children ages six months and up are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) accepting the recommen- dation of its Advisory Committee on Immuniza- tion Practices (ACIP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization of the three- dose Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the two-dose Moderna vaccine. The CDC and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) recommend that all eligible chil- dren receive the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and their families. The COVID-19 vac- cines are proven to be safe for children ages six months and up and help guard against severe COVID-19 outcomes, including certain heart con- ditions, long-term complications, hospitalization, and death. As we continue to experience an increase in positive COVID-19 infections throughout the state, it is critical that all eligible Louisianans get the COVID-19 vaccine. Tragically, LDH has reported a total of 21 children in Louisiana have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began, all of whom were not up-to-date on their COVID- 19 vaccinations. COVID-19 can cause severe complications in some children, including more than 300 Louisiana children who have been diagnosed with the life- threatening condition multisystem inflammatory BROC Foundation’s 4th Annual BROCRock &Wine The BROC Foundation held its 4th annual BROC Rock & Wine event on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Tiger Stadium Suites at LSU. The event raised proceeds to support youth edu- cation, injury prevention, and athletic training and rehabilitation services for local high schools and sports organizations throughout the region. Event participants had the opportunity to sam- ple food and drinks from several local restau- rants, vendors, and company sponsors. They also enjoyed live entertainment and a live and silent auction. BROC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable orga- nization. For additional information, please con- tact Deanna Melancon, Director at (225) 924-2424. Acadian Ambulance Receives 9 American Heart Association Awards Acadian Ambulance has received nine Amer- ican Heart Association Mission: Lifeline EMS achievement awards for its commitment to offer- ing rapid, research-based care to people expe- riencing the most severe form of heart attack, ultimately saving lives. Each year, more than 250,000 people experi- ence a type of heart attack known as an ST ele- vation myocardial infarction (STEMI), caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible by either mechanically opening the blocked vessel or using clot-busting medication. Mission: Lifeline is the American Heart Associa- tion’s national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive dis- ease states, such as severe heart attacks. The pro- gram helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks - starting from when 911 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack patients takes coordination between the individual hospital, EMS, and healthcare system. “The healthcare professionals who interact with a patient even before he or she enters the hospital or emergency room play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said James G. Jollis, MD, volunteer chair for the GWTG-CAD Systems of Care Advisory Work Group and professor of medicine at Duke BROC Rock & Wine raised proceeds to support youth education, injury prevention, and athletic training and rehabilitation services for local high schools and sports organizations throughout the region.