Supporting Patients All the Way

By Patricia Boehm

If you were to meet Rose Pietri today, you might have a hard time believing that she was diagnosed with heart failure just over a year ago. At the time of her diagnosis, Rose couldn’t walk from her sofa to the front door without experiencing extreme shortness of breath. Now, she is regaining control over her health and life after completing Ochsner Health’s Heart Failure Transitional Clinic Program.

Patients in the program receive a personalized care plan, including a health chart and series of appointments with Ochsner cardiologists, dieticians and social workers. Through the Heart Transplant Patient Assistance fund, patients like Rose can also get tools to track their health, like a blood pressure cuff and scale.

“I’m still filling out my chart,” Rose said. “It’s been great knowing that I can take control of my health.”

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you and the support of her care team, Rose has resumed her previous activities and enjoys greater peace of mind.

Rose Pietri, a successful participant of Ochsner’s Heart Failure Transitional Clinic program

Photo Credit: Staci Brimer

“I don’t have to worry about my health like I did before,” she said. “Nothing stops me from following my normal routine.”

The Baton Rouge Patient Assistance Fund

Without insurance coverage or sufficient financial resources, receiving medical care can be an extremely stressful experience. This is especially true for non-native English speakers who face the added challenge of a language barrier. For one patient, the Baton Rouge Patient Assistance Fund helped navigate this difficult scenario.

Jamie Ruh, Director of Case Management forOMC-Baton Rouge

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Burris

As an undocumented patient without access to health insurance, the patient was unable to afford the four medications she needed for discharge from the hospital. The Baton Rouge Patient Assistance Fund covered the cost of all four medications, close to $150, so that the patient could safely return home.

“The Patient Assistance Fund is such an important component of our discharge planning process,” said Jamie Ruh, Director of Case Management. “This program allows us to assist patients with limited resources, ensuring they have the medications or equipment they need to discharge safely.” In turn, this fund has the potential to minimize readmission and improve health outcomes. “We have an opportunity to reduce the possibility of readmission by giving patients what they need, when they need it,” Jamie said.