HJBR Sep/Oct 2023

62 SEP / OCT 2023  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Hospital Rounds range of multidisciplinary care options, including medical oncology, surgery, and radiation. “We are pleased to welcome Ochsner Health as our newest partner, and we applaud their team’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and patient-centered care, which aligns with our own mission to end cancer,” said Peter W.T. Pisters, MD, president of MD Anderson. “By work- ing together, we are expanding our reach and impact, ensuring even more patients have access to high-quality cancer care and advanced treat- ments through clinical trials. We are proud to have Ochsner MD Anderson join us in Making Cancer History®.” “Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center will transform the way we deliver high-quality, compre- hensive cancer care to the communities we serve,” said Pete November, CEO, Ochsner Health. “Through this partnership, we aim to improve patient outcomes while supporting research that will change how we care for patients in the future. I am grateful to our physicians, clinicians and all of our support teams who made this partnership possible, changing the course of cancer care in Louisiana.” In this first phase, Ochsner MD Anderson facili- ties are located in the New Orleans area, Baton Rouge, and Covington. They include: • The Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center at Ochsner Medical Center. • Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner. • Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank Campus. • Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center. • Ochsner Cancer Center - Baton Rouge. • Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove. • St. Tammany Cancer Center - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center. Ochsner and MD Anderson will work together to certify additional sites in the future. “As part of our ongoing commitment to providing world- renowned cancer care close to home, Ochsner is thrilled to join forces with MD Anderson to offer groundbreaking research and innovative thera- pies not found anywhere else in our region,” said Brian Moore, MD, FACS, medical director, Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center. “Our patients can be confident that they will receive an enhanced level of comprehensive cancer care Woman’s Hospital Urges PregnantWomen to Stay Safe in Extreme Heat Woman’s Hospital urges safety as extreme heat marks the beginning of a dangerous season for pregnant women. Staying cool in the summer heat becomes more difficult when expecting. Pregnant women are more likely to suffer from heat-related illnesses, such as dehydration, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion than non-pregnant women. Extremely hot conditions can elevate a pregnant woman’s internal body temperature, which in some cases has been linked to birth defects and pregnancy complications. Woman’s recommends these tips to stay cool, hydrated, and informed when expecting: Stay cool • Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing. • Stay in air-conditioned environments when possible. • Limit outdoor activities, or schedule around the coolest hours of the day. • Wear sunscreen. Stay hydrated • Consume 60 to 80 ounces of water per day, drinking eight to 16 of those ounces shortly after waking. • Avoid sodas, sugary drinks, and fruit juices as they can increase the risk of dehydration. • Hot and heavy meals add heat to the body. Replace with foods that are high in water such as lettuce, grapes, melon, citrus, and cucumbers. • Observe urine color to assess hydration. Urine should have a light color that resem- bles lemonade rather than a dark color like apple juice. Stay informed and connected • Be aware of excessive heat warnings in your area. • Check your local area for heat relief shelters. • Have conversations with your physician for personalized heat safety recommendations. • Know how to spot heat-related illnesses. Learn the symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as: • Check yourself for high body temperatures. Core temperatures above 100º are consid- ered high. • Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Signs of heat stroke include nausea, loss of con- sciousness, headache, confusion, dizziness, and a fast, strong pulse. Call 911 if signs of heat stroke are present. • Heat exhaustion signs include heavy sweat- ing, weakness, dizziness, headaches, faint- ing, clammy skin, muscle cramps, and a fast, weak pulse. Sip water, apply cold cloths, and seek medical attention if symptoms last lon- ger than one hour or vomiting occurs. • Heat cramps are intense muscle spasms caused by dehydration, exercise, and elec- trolyte loss. Drink water, stop physical activ- ity, and replenish electrolytes. Seek medical attention if cramps persist. Ochsner Health, MDAnderson Announce Partnership to Create Fully Integrated Cancer Program in LA Ochsner Health and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced a part- nership to create Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in southeastern Louisiana. Through this collaboration, Ochsner is the first and only pro- vider in Louisiana with a fully integrated cancer program based on MD Anderson’s standards and treatment plans. “As the state’s leader in cancer care, we’re proud to partner with one of the global leaders in cancer care to provide a full continuum of ser- vices close to home for our patients,” said Mike Hulefeld, president and chief operating officer, Ochsner Health. “Beyond MD Anderson’s acco- lades and top national rankings, its clinicians and researchers advance innovative therapies through clinical trials several years before they become standard practice. Now, our patients will benefit from this expanded breadth of experience and therapies in Louisiana.” Ochsner is one of only seven MD Anderson part- ners in the country and the only one in Louisiana. Ochsner MD Anderson patients in southeastern Louisiana receive care based on the same pro- tocols and practice standards provided at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, and benefit from integration with its clinicians and researchers. Ochsner MD Anderson experts adhere to the phi- losophy, process, and guidelines of MD Ander- son’s clinical leadership, and they provide a full