The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 14 COVID patients today, up from 12 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 5 with the active virus, 5 yesterday
- 0 in ICU, 0 yesterday
- 0 on ventilator, 0 yesterday
- 9 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 7 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Doctor Vibhash Sharma, neurologist, The University of Kansas Health System
- Evelyn Bowen, who lives in Arkansas, has had hand tremors for 15 years.
- The condition, called essential tremor, become worse over time, and she currently has difficulty in daily activities like eating, drinking, writing and hobbies
- After trying multiple medications without significant help, she was found to be a candidate for focused ultrasound. It’s a non-surgical procedure using an ultrasound beam that targets and destroys only the part of the brain causing her tremors.
- Evelyn should see an immediate improvement. Just before the procedure, she was asked to write her name and draw a few circles, which was quite a challenge. When done, she will be able to repeat the drawing, which will look much better without the hand tremors.
Dr. Michael Kinsman, neurosurgeon, The University of Kansas Health System
- The procedure takes about three hours, and the patient is awake and participating the whole time
- They are asked to perform simple tasks such as lifting a spoon or a cup so doctors can see the improvement with a test treatment and pinpoint the precise location for the permanent treatment
- The side effects are minimal, mostly a feeling of tiredness, which improves in a couple of weeks
- Most patients see 90 percent improvement in their tremors
Evelyn Bowen, 100th focused ultrasound patient
- She’s very excited about the prospect of getting her life back
- Finds it “embarrassing” when people ask why her hands are shaking
- Was very glad to find out this procedure does not involve “cutting into my head.”
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- Received his second COVID booster shot live on the air
- COVID numbers across the country up about 300% since early April
- Case count in the U.S. as high as it was in the delta surge, but not seeing the same number of hospitalizations
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- Children 5-11 may soon be able to get their COVID booster shot
- If you are over 50 and have not had a second booster, now is the time to get one
- Nasal spray vaccination for COVID in development
Wednesday, May 18 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Open Mics With Dr. Stites. Running a big city hospital like is like running a small city. That means always staying one step ahead of drug and supply shortages. We’ll take you inside the giant warehouse where they keep everything from diapers to tongue depressors and find out how hospitals are coping with the current critical shortage of CT contrast for many vital procedures.
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.
