The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 16 COVID patients today, up from 13 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 6 with the active virus today, up from 4 yesterday
- 1 in ICU, same as yesterday
- 0 on ventilator, same as yesterday
- 10 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 13 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Tammy Peterman, President of the Kansas City Division, The University of Kansas Health System
- Recounted why she became a nurse after spending time as a child with her father, a small town Kansas doctor
- Her own daughter decided to become a nurse after originally wanting to pursue a career in law, saying she wanted to do something that made a difference
- Very impressed by the number of nursing staff members who stayed with the health system during the pandemic despite national nursing turnover rate much higher
- Despite advances in technology, nothing replaces caring and compassion for a patient
Rachel Pepper, Chief Nursing Officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- Nurses had to adapt and find creative ways to handle things during the pandemic
- There are many paths people can take into nursing, including working as a patient care assistant
- The health system has built up a diverse team of well-rounded nurses
Dr. Steve Stites, Chief Medical Officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- Doctors and nurses have become invaluable partners on the same team, unlike earlier times when the doctor was dominant.
- Commented on FDA now restricting who can get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because of newly discovered side effects
- Heat map of COVID cases in the U.S. shows COVID is still active and spreading
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- Even with FDA concerns about vaccine side effects, they continue to be extremely rare
- Johnson & Johnson vaccine continues to have very good efficacy against hospitalization, severe disease, and death
- Praised nursing staff, pointing out that they carry out the vast majority of daily patient care
Monday, May 9 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. The pandemic has been hard on sleeping habits for many people, making thinking, processing and problem solving a challenge. But COVID isn't the only reason many of us are not getting enough zzz's. We’ll have advice on ways to fix that.
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.
