The University of Kansas Health System is treating 87 total COVID patients today, up from 85 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 18 with the active virus, 18 yesterday
- 1 in ICU, 1 yesterday
- 0 on ventilators, 1 yesterday
- 69 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 67 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Colleen Booz Dittrich, social worker, The University of Kansas Health System
- Medical costs and health insurance premiums have skyrocketed
- Some must make choice between eating, filling the gas tank and health care
- Health system has many resources and programs available to help with costs, including help with transportation. People trained to look for creative solutions.
- Urges everyone not to be embarrassed to ask for help
Colette Lasack, VP of Revenue Cycle, The University of Kanas Health System
- Programs and people available to help uninsured patients find insurance coverage
- Everyone can scrutinize their finances and find hidden costs to eliminate
- Pay yourself first from every paycheck
- Advises everyone to call health system if worried about paying a bill. We will find ways to help you manage it.
Chelsey Smith, Community Blood Center
- Pandemic has put real strain on blood supply. 7 to 10 day supply was normal before COVID. Now 2 to 3 day supply is normal.
- Need blood donations back to pre-COVID levels to ensure safety of the community
- Teamed with Harvesters for Save One, Feed One program. Will donate one dollar to Harvesters for every blood donation.
Amy Pinger, Harvesters, The Community Food Network
- Every one dollar donated can feed three people
- The need for food has dramatically risen during COVID in Kansas City
- 30% increase in food distributed in December
- Advises compassion and recognizes it takes courage to ask for help
Monday, March 21 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. As we enter our third year of the pandemic, people are still dying from COVID and many are left with long term health problems. A panel of experts from our Palliative Care team will show us how that care has changed, and why palliative care doesn’t always mean hospice care.
ATTENTION: media procedure for joining:
Zoom link: https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628
Telephone Zoom link: 1-312-626-6799, meeting ID: 782 897 8628
TVU Grid link: UoK_Health_SDI
Restream links: Facebook.com/kuhospital
YouTube.com/kuhospital
Send advance questions to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.
