The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 50 COVID patients today, 43 Tuesday. Other significant numbers:
- 25 with the active virus today, 20 Tuesday
- 4 in ICU, 3 Tuesday
- 2 on a ventilator, 1 Tuesday
Key points from today’s guests:
Morning Rounds – Roundup of Current News
Dr. Ally Briggs, emergency medicine fellow, The University of Kansas Health System
- KUMED1 is an SUV staffed with two doctors who can respond on scene to emergencies.
- It can also include other emergency medicine residents who can ride along.
- All of the local EMS agencies have a medical director they can contact to have us dispatched or dispatchers can request KUMED1 on the radio.
Dr. Bryan Beaver, emergency medicine specialist, The University of Kansas Health System
- KUMED1 carries specialized equipment for extreme cases like onsite amputations or other critical care needs.
- Paramedics are very skilled, but they are sometimes limited by protocols on what procedures they can do.
- KUMED1 can also be dispatched to mass casualty incidents where they can help triage patients on scene and may help them from being sent to hospitals that could be facing an overwhelming influx of patients.
Focus Topic
Alex Goodwin, grower bone patient
- Six years ago, then 9-year-old Alex was diagnosed with a cancerous leg bone (Ewing sarcoma), but his healthcare provider in England could not help him.
- But Alex’s family found Dr. Howard Rosenthal at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, who suggested an operation that could save him.
- Today, 15-year-old Alex was reunited with his doctor in Kansas and is grateful for what Dr. Rosenthal and the entire medical team has done for him.
- Alex went from being confined to a wheelchair to walking independently with very little walking support needed, so he is now free to fulfill his dreams of walking around and exploring different areas. He also wants to be a writer.
Jeffrey Goodwin, Alex’s father
- With a tremendous amount of support from people in the U.K. and the U.S., we were able to raise the funds to get Alex to Kansas for this procedure, which saved his life.
- “When I say that you (The University of Kansas Health System) saved my son's life, I don't say it lightly. Everyone had kind of given up on us and we came here, you accepted us as part of your community and I'm forever grateful for that. And every time we come to Kansas, we have a positive experience and that's because the staff is truly dedicated. I haven't been paid to say this. It's a genuinely positive, enriching experience. I'm truly grateful.”
Dr. Howard Rosenthal, orthopedic oncologist, The University of Kansas Health System
- He replaced Alex’s existing leg bone with a “grower bone” that would allow him to grow – a non-invasive expandable prosthesis.
- Alex had a very aggressive form of cancer, and it was not just a limb-threatening issue, it was a life-threatening issue.
- The team had to remove the cancerous bone and then rebuild his leg. But for a nine-year-old child, that leg still had to have the ability to grow as Alex grew.
- The “grower bone” allowed Dr. Rosenthal to grow the replacement bone at the same rate the rest of the body was growing.
- Alex’s prognosis is excellent as he had reached the 5-year cancer-free milestone, but they will continue to monitor him for years.
COVID Updates
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, The University of Kansas Health System
- The Health System is updating its policy to relax mask usage guidelines within the hospital.
- Masks are still required in patient care areas where patients are at high risk or if anyone is feeling ill – as well in some other key areas.
- We still highly recommend mask wearing.
Thursday, March 9 is the next Morning Medical Update. COVID brought normal life to a standstill, but not life inside a hospital. It's been three years since the first COVID patient arrived at the University of Kansas Health System. We look back at lessons learned, and the very special connection between a COVID patient and his nurse.
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