The University of Kansas Health System is treating 86 total COVID patients today, up from 81 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 15 with the active virus, 18 yesterday
- 2 in ICU, 2 yesterday
- 1 on ventilator, 1 yesterday
- 71 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 63 yesterday
Today’s program focused on World Kidney Day, and featured the story of Stephanie Meyer who answered the social media request from an old friend whose husband desperately needed a kidney. The transplant was a success, changing the life of the recipient, and made Stephanie very proud to have helped. It also prompted her to join 21 other kidney donors today, each with their one kidney, to climb Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the highest peaks in the world, to raise awareness on this special day.
Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Sean Kumer, transplant surgeon and Physician VP of Perioperative and Procedural Services
- There are not enough kidney donors, and people are dying while on the waiting list
- Dialysis can prolong a kidney patient’s life, but it speeds the process to the grave. Dialysis takes a toll.
- Living donor kidneys last longer in recipients than deceased donor kidneys
- Recipients must have all vaccinations, including COVID, to be placed on the transplant list. They must be a “good shepherd” of the organ.
- Doctors urge you to “Share your spare” by calling your local transplant center or signing a kidney donor card.
Dr. Jeff Klein, nephrologist
- The kidney recipient usually feels much better within hours of the transplant
- In general there should not be a cost to the donor
- The majority of kidney donations are from deceased donors, but family and friends can help spread the word of a live kidney need through social media
- Factors that lead to kidney disease are high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Drink more water and eat less salt
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, Infection Prevention and Control
- Last time the health system had active COVID infections in the teens was July, 2021
- Last time total patient numbers were in the teens was March, 2021
- Hope current trend continues so we can get back to some semblance of normal
Friday, March 10 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. The Big 12 Basketball Tournament is underway with fans for the first time in two years. We've heard for years March Madness is when many men take time off for basketball…and vasectomies! We’ll hear from an expert on whether that’s true, plus, a look at how the players and us fans stay safe as we enter this new normal during COVID.
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.
