Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

We started off Monday with nine inpatient departments in the hospital at 100 percent occupancy based on available staffing. We are caring for 63 inpatients ill with COVID-19, in addition to patients with medical and surgical needs for which we traditionally provide care.

Today’s 63 COVID-19 inpatients compares to 27 COVID-19 positive inpatients on the same day a year ago, which we considered high at that time.

We had a busy weekend with 49 hospital transfer requests from health care organizations across Kansas, seven in Oklahoma, two in New Mexico, and one in Texas. We were able to accept nine of those patients from Friday through Sunday. Of the 40 we were unable to accept, 17 needed intensive care level beds.

Our Emergency Department again was caring for patients needing admission, but were unable to move to inpatient beds because they were full. Our Express Care (urgent care) outpatient clinics continue to experience increased patient volumes – both for respiratory and non-respiratory issues – and drive-through testing.

Our goal is to continue caring for all patient medical and surgical needs throughout our clinics, facilities and hospital. It is critical that we work together to slow the COVID-19 infection rate, triggered by the more transmissible and contagious delta variant. The key is achieving a higher COVID-19 vaccination rate, wearing face masks, social distancing and avoiding crowds.

Here are today’s updates:

• COVID-19 Scorecard (English and Spanish)
• COVID-19 Vaccines
• COVID- 19 Vaccination Cards
• Saying Thank You to Our EVS Team

COVID-19 Scorecard

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

• We have 63 inpatients who are COVID-19 positive. The percentage of hospital patients who are unvaccinated is 76%. Vaccinated is defined as fully vaccinated individuals for greater than 14 days since the last immunization.
• From the previous day – COVID-19 inpatient discharges: 8. Deaths: 0.
• We have 76 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 14.5% percent. The percent of positive cases who are unvaccinated is 79%.

COVID-19 Vaccines

• We have administered 88,637 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.

COVID- 19 Vaccination Cards

Patients vaccinated for COVID -19 through the Stormont Vail Health system may receive CDC vaccination cards through their primary care physician. If a patient doesn’t have a Cotton O’Neil Primary Care physician, please contact the Patient Experience Department at (785) 354-8696 or [email protected].

Saying Thank You to Our EVS Team

It takes the whole team to care for our patients and families throughout our clinics and hospital facilities. This includes our Environmental Services Team members. Please take the opportunity in the coming week, which will be EVS Week, to show appreciation for the good these team members do. A “thank you” has special meaning when it comes from another member of the team.

We together,
Dr. K