Doctors at The University of Kansas Health System had good news today as the count of inpatients with COVID-19 was 33, down slightly from 36 inpatients yesterday. Still, doctors tempered expectations by calling this a small victory … a good day … as the war on the novel coronavirus continues and they expect the curve is not truly flattened. There is still much work to be done cautioned the doctors.
• Dana Hawkinson, MD, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, reminded everyone the weekend is here and to be safe while spending time with family. He acknowledged it’s emotionally hard to stay at home, but that it is the safest place. Dr. Hawkinson reminded everyone to wash our hands and teach your children proper hand hygiene, to keep hands away from their face and to cough into their elbow.
• Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer at the health system introduced former Governor and physician Jeff Coyler who joined by phone and Michael Kennedy, MD, professor and associate dean of Rural Health Education in the KU School of Medicine. Doctors together announced a new program to allow medical students who have met all their requirements to graduate early so they can support the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Dr. Kennedy said, “There is a potential for extreme stress on health care systems in urban and rural settings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many physicians are already overworked and the addition of a surge in health care utilization could overburden these doctors to the breaking point.” More than fifty senior students from KUMC have volunteered and will be deployed throughout Kansas.
Monday, April 6, at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call with media. Infection Control nurse Tiffany Horsely will show everyone how to properly handle and wear a mask. There is a right and wrong way…the wrong way could put you at greater risk for COVID-19.
The feed is now available via TVU grid. The TVU source is UoK_Health and is being made available to all. You will still need to call-in to ask questions.
Telephone dial-in Participants:
Dial: 1-913-588-2222, and enter 50041981# when prompted for the Call ID.
• Dana Hawkinson, MD, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control, reminded everyone the weekend is here and to be safe while spending time with family. He acknowledged it’s emotionally hard to stay at home, but that it is the safest place. Dr. Hawkinson reminded everyone to wash our hands and teach your children proper hand hygiene, to keep hands away from their face and to cough into their elbow.
• Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer at the health system introduced former Governor and physician Jeff Coyler who joined by phone and Michael Kennedy, MD, professor and associate dean of Rural Health Education in the KU School of Medicine. Doctors together announced a new program to allow medical students who have met all their requirements to graduate early so they can support the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Dr. Kennedy said, “There is a potential for extreme stress on health care systems in urban and rural settings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many physicians are already overworked and the addition of a surge in health care utilization could overburden these doctors to the breaking point.” More than fifty senior students from KUMC have volunteered and will be deployed throughout Kansas.
Monday, April 6, at 8:00 a.m. is the next daily briefing call with media. Infection Control nurse Tiffany Horsely will show everyone how to properly handle and wear a mask. There is a right and wrong way…the wrong way could put you at greater risk for COVID-19.
The feed is now available via TVU grid. The TVU source is UoK_Health and is being made available to all. You will still need to call-in to ask questions.
Telephone dial-in Participants:
Dial: 1-913-588-2222, and enter 50041981# when prompted for the Call ID.
