As COVID trends down, lack of beds, staff worry Kansas doctors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WIBW) – Whereas COVID-19 circumstances proceed to development downward, the dearth of open beds and obtainable workers have medical doctors in Northeast Kansas fearful in regards to the fall and winter seasons.

The College of Kansas Well being System hosted its COVID-19 replace on Wednesday, Aug. 24, with a panel of 13 chief medical officers and infectious illness medical doctors from across the state.

Dr. Steve Stites, Chief Medical Officer on the College of Kansas Well being System, stated COVID numbers have been falling across the area which is a welcome web site with the brand new bivalent COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer that might begin delivery in as quickly as per week.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, Infectious Illness Skilled at KU Med. stated these photographs are anticipated to be prepared by the primary or second week of September whereas the Moderna bivalent vaccine will come later in September. He additionally famous that Monkeypox is on the rise within the U.S. with 15,909 circumstances – 4 of these in Kansas and 38 in Missouri.

“We consider the epidemiological curves are lowering and tendencies are lowering as nicely. However actually persevering with to provide that info to high-risk teams, get that vaccination into these high-risk group arms as nicely,” Hawkinson stated of Monkeypox. “I believe it’s going to be vitally vital. Hopefully, we are going to begin to see a downtrend right here of Monkeypox as nicely.”

Dr. Stites additionally boasted a brand new software from the Kansas Division of Well being and Surroundings to assist rural hospitals switch COVID-19 sufferers to open beds in amenities higher geared up to deal with the virus. He stated Dr. Richard Watson co-founded Motient.

Watson famous that, whereas COVID tendencies have declined the variety of beds wanted has not met the low threshold it had in the summertime of 2021. Nonetheless, he stated that the beds required aren’t wanted usually for the virus.

Stites indicated that the dearth of staffing may play a giant function within the want for beds.

“I’m a bit of nervous as we head into the autumn and it’s not simply COVID,” Stites stated. “However general, I’m nervous about hospital capability.”

The sentiment sounded throughout the area.

Dr. Kim McGow, Chief Medical Officer at HCA Midwest Well being, stated whereas COVID circumstances have fallen in her hospital, the dearth of beds has prompted closures in some areas. Nonetheless, she did say beds have been opening each hour to alleviate a few of the stress on the system.

McGown famous that the dearth of beds actually is a staffing situation.

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