SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — On Monday, the LSU Health Sciences Foundation received a grant to help save lives in the region.
At the request of Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), a formal check presentation ceremony was held at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport to recognize a $25,000 grant provided by the AEP Foundation to the LSU Health Sciences Foundation.
Robert Martin Jr., director of Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport's critical care service line, said the funds will be used to purchase ICU thermostats for Ochsner LSU Health.
“We are now [the machine] Through all ICUs. In the midst of COVID-19, that really escalated. “The units we had were always occupied,” Martin Jr. said. “With these additional units, we are now able to implement technology not only in our medical ICU, but also in our surgical and trauma ICUs.”
Martin Jr. said the device helps regulate the body temperature of comatose patients. Because Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport is the only Level I trauma center in the region, he said it is essential that the hospital has equipment such as temperature control to treat a variety of complex traumas. says. According to SWEPCO, studies have shown that ICU thermostats can help patients emerge from a coma.
“We learned about this at last year’s ‘An Evening for Healers’ event and after recognizing the need for this machine and knowing it could impact people’s lives, SWEPCO “We asked the AEP Foundation to come up with this $25,000 grant,” he said. Michael Corbin, External Affairs Manager, SWEPCO. “It has been approved and we are very happy to be a part of this.”
Corbin said the hospital is tasked with treating a variety of injuries and illnesses, and SWEPCO wants to ensure its staff have the skills needed to save lives.
“SWEPCO's Foundation is a long-standing partner in all of SWEPCO's activities. [Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport] I think we will continue to do that,” Corbin said. “As additional needs arise and funding becomes available, we will be happy to fund other equipment needed for the necessary programs.”
