The University of Kansas Health System is averaging more than two COVID patient deaths a day in February with 33 so far. Today they are caring for 134 total COVID patients, down from 137 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 55 with active virus, 57 yesterday
- 11 in ICU, same as yesterday
- 6 on ventilators, same as yesterday
- 79 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 80 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Tim Williamson, VP of Quality and Safety
- COVID cases are down, but still higher than previous peaks
- The emergency is not over, whether officially decreed or not
- Didn’t have flu season that was feared
- Transfers for all patients to larger hospitals, not just COVID patients, extremely challenging. Health system only able to take 20% of record number 2000 requests a month. Sometimes takes 30-40 calls to find a bed
- The “new normal” won’t be like 2019, but will be much better than it’s been
- We’re heading to a better place, but still need to focus on protecting the most vulnerable people in your circle.
Dr. Nathan Bahr, infectious disease physician
- We are not done with people dying from COVID. 90 % of those dying are unvaccinated.
- Crush of COVID patients in hospital keeping those with other diseases from getting care
- We must be vigilant for new variants. They will come.
- Vaccination and boosters are key to dealing with COVID now and in the future
Dr. Jackie Hyland, chief medical officer, St. Francis Campus
- Many aspects of state emergency declaration still needed, especially when it comes to providing much needed supplies
- Believes that we will eventually get to the point where masks are no longer needed in public.
- Outside is safer than inside and vaccinated is safer than unvaccinated
Dr. Sherri Vaughn, associate chief medical officer for the health system
- Staff outages from COVID have decreased
- Many residents in Great Bend wearing masks, wanting to protect themselves and their neighbors
- “God gave us two ears and one mouth. Let’s use them in that capacity, listening more than we’re talking.”
John Worden, interim administrator, Great Bend Campus
- Still seeing a lot of COVID patients
- COVID is still putting significant pressure on staffing
- Masking has been a hot topic of debate in rural settings.
- Vaccination rates are up to around 55-60%, but still not enough
- Transferring patients to larger hospitals still a major challenge
Thursday, February 17 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Closing ceremonies for the Winter Olympics are just a few days away. We'll talk with two sports medicine physicians here at the health system about the effect COVID has had on the games and how it is impacting athletes. We'll find out how working with elite athletes such as Olympians is helping our high school and college players right here.
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.
