The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 48 COVID patients today, same as yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 22 with the active virus today, 28 yesterday
- 2 in ICU, 3 yesterday
- 0 on a ventilator, 0 yesterday
- 26 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 20 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Jeff Burns, neurologist, co-director University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center
- New treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease, Lecanemab, currently in clinical trials
- First look at key outcomes shows 30% slowing of the disease by attacking buildup of amyloid in the brain
- It’s the first time he’s seen this kind of result in an Alzheimer’s study
- Could receive FDA approval as early as next spring
Dr. Sunil Abhyankar, director Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center, The University of Kansas Health System
- Discussed story of Kansas City man who had leukemia in 2014 and needed bone marrow transplant
- Worldwide donor registry matched him with a young man in England
- Stem cells were harvested from donor and flown to The University of Kansas Cancer Center. Recipient did very well with transplant.
- Nearly eight years later, the two met in person for the first time to celebrate the successful transplant and new lease on life for the recipient
- Explained why bone marrow transplant is considered the best hope for cure for those with blood cancers
Tricia Rasmussen, lead transplant coordinator, blood and marrow transplant
- Described the Bone Marrow Registry, which consists of 39 million people around the world who have submitted their medical information for a possible match
- Donor does not need to travel to the recipient’s hospital and there is no cost to donate
- About half the time, the donor is from Europe
- Minority donors are in big demand
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- Noted Kaiser Family Foundation study showing relatively few Americans are getting the new bivalent booster
- Discussed report that 13% of COVID patients still reporting symptoms two years after being infected with the virus
- VA Hospital research across America shows very low incidence of COVID hospitalizations after vaccination
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- Even though national trend of COVID cases is lower, numbers at the health system are steady
- Concern is with colder weather coming, COVID cases will increase
- It’s also shaping up to be a bad year for flu cases
Thursday, October 13 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. A love of the stage led one woman to a career in nursing. Now Nurse Tiffany Schweigert is back in the spotlight combining her two loves of art and medicine. She’ll bring to life the play that charted her career path in mental health.
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