The number of COVID-19 patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System continues to hold steady to begin the week. 24 patients are being treated for COVID-19, same as Friday. 12 of those patients are in the ICU, up one from Friday. So far, the health system has treated 112 patients with 12 deaths and 75 patients treated for COVID-19 have been released.
Joining the conversation are Tammy Peterman, President of the Kansas City Division, The University of Kansas Health System and Bob Page, President and CEO of The University of Kansas Health System They discussed the plan to keep everyone safe while getting patients scheduled for the procedures, surgeries and other services they postponed during stay-at-home orders. They said the doctors will determine who needs to be in the hospital, as the health system makes a slow but gradual return to regular operations. But they stressed there’s no one day when “the switch will be flipped” for that to happen. Peterman added that the hardest part for patients has been not having any visitors. Hospitals across the country have implemented that policy to keep the disease from spreading. But she said the staff has done an amazing job of connecting patients with family virtually through a variety of methods. Page noted that while other hospitals are putting staff on furloughs and some are laying people off, there are no plans for that at The University of Kansas Health System. He says many staff are being redeployed to busier areas where needed, and 50 staff members are working as contact tracers for the state. All talked about what they look forward to the most when society reopens.
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the health system, says the biggest fear of the medical community is reopening society too soon. He says until there is widespread community testing, a vaccine and a treatment there will always be the risk of a surge in COVID-19 cases, and then society will have to close again. Stites also talked about how different a clinic visit will look. He says to avoid waiting rooms, patients will now go directly from their car to the exam room and have everything from check-in through the doctor visit done there. Then when done, they’ll skip the checkout desk and go back to their car, where they’ll receive a call to schedule follow up visits. Stites also said some patients may be scared to come to the hospital and doctor’s office, especially those who are immune compromised. But he cautioned about getting too sick at home, especially for those who may have symptoms of a mild heart attack. He stressed that telehealth visits by video will continue to be a big part of many patient’s treatment, especially those patients in smaller communities.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System addressed new CDC guidelines on possible COVID-19 symptoms. He says it’s vital, even after society reopens, to keep a six-foot distance, wash your hands, don’t touch your face and if you’re sick, stay home. He also addressed the question of why it seems most of the COVID-19 patients seem to be elderly.
Tuesday, April 28 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Joining the panel will be Keith Sale, MD, Physician VP Ambulatory Services. He will discuss how COVID-19 gave rapid birth to telehealth. But some patients still need lab work, x-rays and a doctor’s touch. Which services will start inviting more patients to the hospital first and why … plus how we will keep patients safe when they arrive and what the public can do to help keep safe after stay-at-home orders lift?
ATTENTION media members-New procedure for calling in:
The meeting is now available by Zoom, both video and by phone. To join the Zoom Meeting by video, click https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628
Telephone dial-in Participants:
Call Zoom audio, 1-253-215-8782, meeting ID: 782 897 8628.
The feed is also available via TVU grid. The TVU source is UoK_Health and is being made available to all.
Feel free to send questions in advance to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.
