Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

There are many hands working together to help keep our community healthy in the COVID-19 pandemic. One important team is at our Infusion Center in Topeka where we provide monoclonal antibody treatment to COVID-19 outpatients. This is a treatment given to patients who are at high risk for developing severe symptoms from a COVID-19 infection and potential subsequent hospitalization.

With the prevalence of the virus in our region, the workload of the Infusion Center team has increased. The team was providing up to eight infusions of the antibodies on three evenings and Saturday afternoons. In early August, the team began providing monoclonal antibody subcutaneous injections instead of infusions. They now treat 16 or more patients three evenings a week.  These patients are seen after an already full day of non-COVID-19 patients to maintain infection control. The team estimates this service is keeping 55 to 60 patients out of the hospital each week.

“The patients have voiced that they are so thankful for the Infusion Center and their part in treatment. It is a satisfying feeling to know we help our community and Stormont Vail team,” said Deb Perrin, RN at the Infusion Center.

The team has provided more than 500 doses of monoclonal antibodies since last November.

“As a new leader in this department, it has made me proud to see their dedication to our patients and community. They never hesitate to take the next challenge in stride and come together as a team,” said Vicky McGrath, Director of the Cotton O’Neil Cancer Center and Infusion Center.

Deb believes that if everyone would do what is being asked – to wear facemasks, social distance and wash hands, the pandemic would go away faster. Vicky adds, “Get vaccinated.”

Here are today’s updates:

• COVID-19 Scorecard (English | Spanish)
• COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 Scorecard

Here’s a look at today’s COVID-19 scorecard:

• We have 58 inpatients who are COVID-19 positive. The percentage of hospital patients who are unvaccinated is 79%. Vaccinated is defined as fully vaccinated individuals for greater than 14 days since the last immunization.
• From the previous day – COVID-19 inpatient discharges: 14. Deaths: 3.
• We have 126 COVID-19 positive patients in the outpatient Enhanced Primary Care program.
• The percentage of patients testing positive for COVID-19 at Stormont Vail facilities the past seven days is 20.6% percent. The percent of positive cases who are unvaccinated is 82%.

COVID-19 Vaccines

• We have administered 87,671 vaccinations, which includes first and second doses of the vaccine.
• All Kansans age 12 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
• COVID-19 vaccines are available through the Stormont Vail Retail Pharmacy, 2252 S.W. 10^th
• To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment:
  • Go through your Stormont Vail MyChart
  • Use the online scheduling assistant at stormontvail.org/covid19/vaccine
  • Call (785) 270-4786.
• Walk-ins are welcome from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Health Care Workers Vaccination Update

*Information available through 8/20/21. Current employees and non-employed Medical Staff that have provided documentation of series completion to Employee Health.

**Since January 2021, when first Health Care Workers could be fully vaccinated after two vaccine doses.

We together,
Dr. K