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 proves nothing can stand in the way of helping others. You’ll find out how you can be a hero like her.
- Open Mics With Dr. Stites: Can a COVID Patient Donate an Organ ( Download)
- Open Mics With Dr. Stites: Local Doctor Battles COVID Brain Fog ( Download)
- Open Mics with Dr. Stites 3-9-22 ( Download)
- Open Mics with Dr. Stites - Research Growth at KU Medical Center ( Download)
- Open Mics with Dr. Stites 9-7-22 ( Download)
- Open Mics with Dr. Stites: “Show Me the Science” How Artificial Intelligence Helps Patients ( Download)
- Open Mics with Dr. Stites 7-20-22 ( Download)
- Open Mics with Dr. Stites 2-22-23 ( Download)
- Open Mics With Dr. Stites Changes in Insurance For COVID PatientsDelta is Different ( Download)
- Open Mics with Dr. Stites: How Old is Too Old for a New Heart ( Download)
- Open Mics with Dr. Stites 8-17-22 ( Download)
- Open Mics with Dr. Stites - Reducing the Risk of Breast Cancer ( Download)
- Open Mics 9-27-23 ( Download)
- Possible Changes in Organ Donation Rules and How it Could Affect the Midwest ( Download)
- Tuesday Morning Medical Update: Live From the Operating Room, What it Takes to Be a Nurse in the OR ( Download)
