Today’s numbers of COVID-19 patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System are steady. 30 patients are being treated for the virus, same as yesterday. 11 of those patients are in the ICU, down from 14 yesterday.
Joining the briefing today were Chris Brown, MD, hospitalist at The University of Kansas Health System who has been on the front line in treating COVID-19 inpatients. David Lisbon, MD, Emergency Medicine sees trends happening in emergency medicine that need public attention. Also joining was Allen Greiner, MD, Medical Officer for KCK Wyandotte County Unified Government.
Dr. Greiner noted that Wyandotte County recently passed Johnson County in the number of COVID-19 patients, even though Johnson County has more people. He talked about some of the special challenges facing his county because of its diverse population and socioeconomic background. He says the disease doesn’t discriminate, but some people’s living conditions, or medical history make them more susceptible to the virus than others. He discussed the phased reopening of businesses and events for Wyandotte County, and stressed that even after society has reopened, social norms will need to change. He said there are probably ten times the number of COVID-19 cases out there than are currently being detected.
Dr. Lisbon says he’s seen first-hand many patients who put off seeing emergency treatment out of fear of coming to the hospital…and ended up a lot worse when they finally came. He stressed that hospitals are safer than ever now with new policies and procedures in place. He added physicians are learning more and more each day about COVID-19 and know a lot more today than a month ago about the disease. But he stressed they still have a lot to discover.
Dr. Brown treats COVID-19 patients in the hospital and talks about some of the heartbreaking things he’s seen with patients and their families. He describes what patients who have the disease would say to those who don’t. He agreed that a disproportionate number of African Americans and other minorities are being admitted for the disease, mostly for the same reasons noted by Dr. Greiner, such as living arrangements and pre-existing medical conditions. But he’s pleased to see how many of those patients are getting out of the hospital and into rehab.
Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of infection prevention and control at The University of Kansas Health System dispelled social media rumors that people of certain blood types or genetic backgrounds are more likely to get COVID-19…or are protected from it. He says everyone is susceptible. He also answered questions about how safe it is to have a repair person come into your home and the safety of getting a haircut, now that parts of the metro area are beginning to reopen. He also explains what everyone’s “social bubble” is, how it works and why knowing who’s in yours is so important to keeping the virus at bay. He warns that as society reopens, those bubbles are likely to break down.
Steve Stites, MD, chief medical officer at the health system, gave a shout out to nurses on National Nurses Day, and said with the heavy restriction on visitors in hospitals these days, the nurses have become family to the patients. He says all doctors are concerned by people being afraid to come to the hospital or doctor’s office, and repeated what others on the panel said about how safe it is. He urges everyone to not to let a small medical problem turn into a big problem simply out of fear. He says innovations such as telehealth are here to stay, even after the pandemic.
Thursday, May 7 at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call. Suzanne Stevens, MD, neurologist and director of the sleep medicine clinic at The University of Kansas Health System teams up with Greg Nawalanic, Psy.D, in psychiatry and behavioral sciences to talk about overcoming COVID-19 nightmares … understanding the science behind bad dreams. Doctors will share tips on how to get a good night’s sleep and successfully transition to life after stay-at-home orders lift. Dr. Nawalanic will offer tips to help people define and cope with irrational verses rational fears.
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:
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.
