There are 81 total COVID patients being treated at The University of Kansas Health System today, down from 83 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 18 with the active virus, 20 yesterday
- 2 in ICU, 2 yesterday
- 1 on ventilator, 1 yesterday
- 63 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 63 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Dr. Timothy Schmitt, Director of Transplantation and transplant surgeon
- COVID had big impact on transplants
- Many post-transplant patients died from the disease
- All transplant patients must be vaccinated against COVID as well as other routine vaccinations to ensure the organ will last
- 8 to 10 percent of patients die while waiting for a transplant
- Transplant program still successful despite new national organ allocation plan
Dr. Jeff Klein, nephrologist
- A patient who has had COVID can donate any organ except a lung
- Living donor organs are preferred over deceased donor organs
- Living donors can give kidney, lobe of liver and part of lungs
- Many post-transplant patients fear going out in public. Wearing a mask is best.
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- Health system was full before pandemic. Even with falling COVID numbers, still a challenge to find room for everyone
- Organs are scarce resource and must do best possible job of giving to someone who is likely to survive
- Hope is a vital part of the healing process
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, Infection Prevention and Control
- The number of health system workers out sick is way down, allowing for more normal operations
- With declining numbers, we are hoping for good times in the next few months
- Be careful, especially when traveling, as COVID is still out there.
Thursday, March 10 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. On World Kidney Day, you’ll meet a woman is literally going to great heights to raise awareness by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa...after donating a kidney. Her inspiring story that proves nothing can stand in the way of helping others. You’ll find out how you can be a hero like her.
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.
