Doctors at The University of Kansas Health System say the number of COVID-19 patients being treated is “holding steady today.” 29 patients are hospitalized, up from 27 yesterday. 11 patients are in the ICU, same as yesterday. Seven patients are on ventilators, same as yesterday. 33 other patients are still hospitalized because of COVID-19 but are out of the acute infection phase. That’s up from 30 yesterday. In addition, HaysMed has 15 total COVID-19 inpatients today, down from 14 yesterday, with one of those patients in the recovery phase. Doctors are concerned that a week ago, the rolling 7-day average number of new cases in the Metro area was 300 and today it’s up to 450.
Dr. Becky Lowry, Internal, General and Geriatric Medicine at The University of Kansas Health System, was joined on today’s Morning Media Update by Dr. Ravi Sabapahty, PsyD at Advent Health, to update frontline workers’ state of mind and how they’re holding up during this marathon and what you can do to support them.
Dr. Lowry says it’s important to care for those who take care of others. She notes doctors have a suicide rate higher than most professions, while most report more stress in their lives during the pandemic. She says there is no “one size fits all” way for them to get support, and just like with the pillars of infection prevention, there are pillars for mental well-being. Those include eating well, getting plenty of sleep and stepping away from patient care once in a while. She stressed the need for healthcare providers to keep a balanced work and home life, which is often easier said than done. She also assured a viewer that seeking medical care during a pandemic is safe, and says it’s been shown that those who have delayed their care have done much worse.
Dr. Sabapahty said most doctors are incredibly strong and resilient, but they’re being asked to do so much for so many for so long, they’re tired and worn down. He and other mental health professionals do their best to let their fellow doctors know they have support and are not alone. He advises providers to do their best to keep in the present and not be anxious about the past or future. He says some patients are anxious about seeking care in a pandemic, adding many have a “silent pride,” and an “I can handle this,” attitude to rationalize delaying care. He says we’ll be studying the effects of the pandemic for years to come, including what people did to mitigate their risks. He believes our legacy is being formed and we can change history right now.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System, discussed a media question about safety when voting. He says he already voted in person and was glad to see mask wearing and social distancing as well as other measures like disposable pens at his polling place. He also discussed the safety of seeking health care saying no patients at the health system have contracted COVID-19 while in the hospital. He says we all must do everything we can to reduce the risk of infecting those who may be more vulnerable by following the pillars of infection prevention.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System, noted that communities where most people are wearing masks and socially distancing are doing well. He says when it comes to voting, the key to safety is avoiding someone else’s breath cloud and not so much about the surfaces you might touch. He demonstrated the proper way to wear goggles and reminded us that the pillars of infection prevention will keep you physically and mentally healthy.
Thursday, October 22 at 8:00 a.m. at 8:00 a.m. is the next morning media update. Juliann Van Liew, director of Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK Public Health returns to update COVID-19 cases in school, in the county and if efforts to reduce the death toll are working. She’s joined by Mariana Ramirez-Mantilia, Director of JUNTOS Center for Advancing Latino Health Department of Population Health.
ATTENTION: media procedure for calling in:
The meeting is 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:
For those without Zoom, call 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.
