Month: October 2014

No Ebola at KU Hospital, officials say

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, left, and Dr. Lee Norman talked about Ebola, and how it is being handled, today at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by William Crum)
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, left, and Dr. Lee Norman talked about Ebola, and how it is being handled, today at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum
The University of Kansas Hospital officials said today that tests have turned out negative for Ebola in a patient at the facility in Kansas City, Kan.

“We are proud say that the person who came here about Ebola the test showed up negative. He is in another part of the hospital resting right now. I’m really proud of our staff on the job they’ve done regarding handling of this whole situation,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KU Hospital chief medical officer.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran offered his opinion that people who have Ebola need to be stopped from coming to the United States.

“We need to stop people who are sick with this disease from coming to the United States,” he said. “We definitely don’t need this disease here until we have it under control.

“There are no direct flights from South Africa to the United States; they must go through another country,” he said. “That is why the United States must take a leadership role to encourage other countries to check someone before they decide to visit come the United States. “

He said people in the United States need to seek a health professional not only for this, but other health issues as well.

“States must communicate with the Centers for Disease Control,” he said.

Sen. Moran supported more medical research, and said hospitals on the local level need to be trained on how to handle situations like this.

“Recently I travel all over the state of Kansas to see for myself on what is getting done. We need to work together. This is not a political issue, it is an issue that affects every one of us. When I get back to Washington I plan to have a lot of meetings regarding this issue. I want to thank the University of Kansas Medical Center on the job well done,” he said.

Those who treat Ebola patients are protected by suits, masks and gloves. (Photo by William Crum)
Those who treat Ebola patients are protected by suits, masks and gloves. (Photo by William Crum)

Democrats to meet Oct. 18

The Wyandotte County Third Saturday Democratic Breakfast will meet Saturday, Oct. 18, in the Eisenhower Room at the Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Minnesota Ave.

The speakers will be State Reps. Kathy Wolfe Moore and Tom Burroughs.

The breakfast buffet is available at 8:15 a.m. and the forum begins at 9:15.

The cost for the breakfast buffet, which includes tax, service and tip, is $12; $8 for students and those on limited income. All Democrats are invited to attend.

Reservations are requested by Friday, Oct. 17. Reservations help plan for attendance, but are not necessary to attend.

For reservations, email scottmackey08@yahoo.com.

KCK Fire Department receives American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Recognition Award

The Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Bronze Award that recognizes its commitment and success in implementing specific quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who suffer a severe heart attack known as a STEMI.

STEMI stands for ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Every year, almost 300,000 people experience a STEMI, a type of heart attack caused by a complete blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by surgically opening the blocked vessel or by giving clot-busting medication.

Unfortunately, a significant number don’t receive prompt reperfusion therapy, which is critical in restoring blood flow. Mission: Lifeline seeks to save lives by closing the gaps that separate STEMI patients from timely access to appropriate treatments. Mission: Lifeline’s new EMS recognition program recognizes those emergency responders for their efforts in improving STEMI systems of care and improving the quality of life for these patients.

Emergency Medical System providers are vital to the success of Mission: Lifeline. EMS agencies provide education in STEMI identification and access to 12-lead ECG machines and follow protocols derived from American Heart Association-American College of Cardiology guidelines. The correct tools and training allow EMS providers to rapidly identify the STEMI, promptly notify the medical center and trigger an early response from the awaiting hospital personnel.

Agencies that receive the Mission: Lifeline Bronze award have demonstrated at least 75 percent compliance for each required achievement measure for three months (one quarter), and treated at least four STEMI patients for the year.

“We commend Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department for this achievement award, which reflects a significant commitment to improve the quality of care for heart attack patients,” said Dr. A. Gray Ellrodt, chair of the Mission: Lifeline committee and chief of medicine at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Mass. “All too many heart attack patients in the United States still fail to receive appropriate treatment for their life-threatening condition within the recommended time frames. We must all continue this important work to streamline and coordinate regional systems of care to save lives and prevent complications.”

“Kansas City Kansas Fire Department is dedicated to making our Fire-EMS Service among the best in the country, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program is helping us accomplish that by implementing processes for improving STEMI systems of care with the goal of improving the quality of care for all STEMI patients,” said Senior Deputy Chief Craig Duke. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in emergency medical care for STEMI patients.”