Category: Health

Blood drives scheduled in Wyandotte County

Several blood drives currently are scheduled in Wyandotte County.

Red Cross blood drives

• A Red Cross blood drive will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

• Another Red Cross blood drive is scheduled from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at the Joe E. Amayo Argentine Community Center, 2940 Metropolitan Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

To make an appointment for the Red Cross blood drives, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

Community Blood Center blood drives

The Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City is urging residents to donate blood during the week of Sept. 11.

“When the towers fell eighteen years ago, people from across the country came together to support victims of the attacks in New York. And as we approach the anniversary again this year, we are calling on residents to donate blood and help strengthen the region’s blood supply,” said Kim Peck, senior executive director of the Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City. “When tragedy strikes, it is the blood that is already donated that saves lives, so we encourage everyone who can to take one hour to donate blood at one of our drives this week.”

• A Community Blood Center blood drive will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Main, Hixson Atrium, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kansas.

• A Community Blood Center blood drive will continue from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Main, Hixson Atrium, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kansas.

To make an appointment for a Community Blood Center blood drive, visit www.savealifenow.org/ or call 816-753-4040.

First Kansas vaping-related lung disease death reported

Kansas health officials have confirmed the first death in the state associated with an outbreak of serious lung disease related to vaping or using e-cigarettes, according to a news release Tuesday from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

The recent death was a Kansas resident over the age of 50.

According to Dr. Farah Ahmed, Kansas state epidemiologist, the patient had a history of underlying health issues and was hospitalized with symptoms that progressed rapidly.

The national investigation has not identified any specific vaping or e-cigarette products linked to all cases, according to the state health department.

Many patients report using vaping or e-cigarette products with liquids that contain cannabinoid products, such as tetrahydrocannabinol, the news release stated. Kansas does not have detailed information on what types of products were used by the deceased, according to officials.

“Our sympathies go out to the family of the person who died,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in the news release. “Health officials are working hard to determine a cause and share information to prevent additional injuries. As that work continues, I urge Kansans to be careful. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way, and please follow the recommendations of public health officials.”

Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas state health officer and secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said health officials nationwide continue to work aggressively to gather information and determine what has caused these lung injuries.

“It is time to stop vaping.” Norman said. “If you or a loved one is vaping, please stop. The recent deaths across our country, combined with hundreds of reported lung injury cases continue to intensify. I’m extremely alarmed for the health and safety of Kansans who are using vaping products and urge them to stop until we can determine the cause of vaping related lung injuries and death.”

To date, Kansas has six reports associated with the outbreak. Three patients have been classified as confirmed or probable cases and three cases are still under investigation, officials stated.

State investigators determine if cases are confirmed or probable after examining the medical records of suspected cases and consulting with the clinical care team to exclude other possible cases. Further information about individual cases is not available because of patient confidentiality.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with the addition of the Kansas report, is reporting six deaths and more than 450 possible cases of severe lung injury in 33 states and one jurisdiction. While investigations into these cases continue, CDC is recommending people avoid vaping or using e-cigarettes. Also, people with a history of vaping who are experiencing lung injury symptoms should seek medical care, a spokesman stated.

Nationally, symptoms among cases included shortness of breath, fever, cough, and vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms reported by some patients included headache, dizziness and chest pain. For individuals wanting more information on how to quit tobacco products, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Wolfe Moore, Rogers named distinguished health care advocates

Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore
Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers

State Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore, D-36th Dist., has been named a 2019 Kansas Hospital Association Distinguished Health Care Advocate.

Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers also was named a Distinguished Health Care Advocate.

Members of the Kansas Hospital Association honored them at the KHA Annual Convention and Trade Show on Sept. 5 in Wichita.

The Kansas Hospital Association Board of Directors established this award to recognize individuals, organizations or groups who provide exemplary contribution to the health and well-being of the people of Kansas through their leadership in the political or policy arena.

Lt. Gov. Rogers was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of Kansas on Jan. 14, 2019. He is a former State Senator and former Wichita Board of Education president. He spent more than 30 years traveling Kansas as an agriculture banker assisting farmers and ranchers with financial and investment planning. This experience helped him understand the challenges facing Kansans in rural communities.

As lieutenant governor, Rogers heads the newly created Office of Rural Prosperity. In that role, he has been a tireless advocate for KanCare expansion. He also has crisscrossed the state repeatedly, visiting with Kansas hospitals about the issues affecting their continued ability to provide access to care. During his entire time in the legislature and now as lieutenant governor, he has been a constant supporter of health care.

Rep. Wolfe Moore is in her fifth consecutive term as state representative from Wyandotte County. She is the ranking minority member on the House Appropriations Committee and serves on the Taxation Committee. She currently serves as a board member of Wyandotte Economic Development Council and the Wyandot Center (Community Mental Health Center for Wyandotte County). Outside of the Kansas Legislature, she serves as the external liaison for the University of Kansas Health System.

Rep. Wolfe Moore has played an instrumental leadership role on numerous issues that are important to Kansas hospitals, including KanCare expansion; the restoration of Medicaid reimbursement reductions; providing choice to public hospitals regarding concealed carry; creating guardrails for the operation of the KanCare managed care organizations; and modifying the provider assessment program in a positive manner.

Both Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers and Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore have been tireless advocates for measures to improve the Kansas health care system, a spokesman for the Kansas Hospital Association stated. They have steadfastly stood up for what is best for patients and providers, the spokesman stated.

The Kansas Hospital Association is a voluntary, nonprofit organization existing to be the leading advocate and resource for members. KHA membership includes 222 member facilities, of which 125 are full-service, community hospitals. Founded in 1910, KHA’s vision is “Optimal Health for Kansas.”