Those who think they may have COVID-19 now have easier access to testing. As availability of test kits and the ability to process results have improved, Norton Healthcare is pleased to begin providing COVID-19 testing to anyone in the community. This includes individuals who are required by their employer to be tested. It is recommend…
More than 30 critically ill COVID-19 patients at Norton Healthcare have received convalescent plasma, an experimental treatment that began in mid-April. Some are still recovering, while many patients have been able to go home. Norton Healthcare physicians have been testing the treatment for COVID-19 that has shown promise in smaller studies around the world. The…
Successful treatments for cytokine storms triggered by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) offer a road map for the most serious COVID-19 patients, according to Kenneth N. Schikler, M.D., a pediatric rheumatologist with Norton Children’s Rheumatology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. The overwhelming host response with the most serious COVID-19 cases…
A COVID-19 patient at Norton Healthcare is the first in the world to participate in a randomized Phase 2 clinical study using low-dose selinexor. This oral drug, manufactured by Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. and marketed as XPOVIO, is currently approved at higher doses by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for cancer patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma….
Episode 11 of the “MedChat” podcast is now available. This episode, “Vaccine Hesitancy: Scope and Solutions,” discusses one of the top 10 threats to global health. This episode will help providers describe factors that influence a family’s tendency to be hesitant to vaccinate, discuss effective strategies to address vaccine hesitancy with parents and understand the…
The Norton Healthcare pharmacy department has been recognized with a prestigious award for its efforts to speed antibiotics to patients with bacterial infections that have spread to the bloodstream. The American Society of Health System Pharmacists awarded a Best Practices Award to the Norton Healthcare rapid bacteremia response protocol. As part of the Norton Healthcare…
Effective Monday, Sept. 9, Norton Healthcare replaced the algorithm for C. difficile testing with a new approach designed to provide clinicians greater clarity regarding the significance of a positive result. The new algorithm will begin with a PCR test, which will determine if C. difficile organism is present. If that is positive, a second test…
Define sepsis Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria Temperature > 38.3 C (> 100.9 F) Temperature < 36.0 C (< 96.8 F) Heart rate > 90 Respiratory rate > 20 White blood cell >12,000 or < 4,000 or > 10 percent bands Sepsis is: 2 SIRS + Confirmed/suspected source of infection Severe sepsis* is: Sepsis…
As measles outbreaks spread across the country, the chance continues to grow that we will see measles cases in our community. As a provider, you play a vital role in preventing the spread of the disease. If you suspect your pediatric patient might have measles, take the following steps to ensure proper care while protecting…
Norton Healthcare treats all patients with chronic hepatitis C regardless of F score or sobriety. Here’s what providers should know. Many factors can affect the plan of care to treat hepatitis C, including genotype of the virus, stage of liver disease, whether the patient has had previous treatment and what other health conditions the patient…
Norton Healthcare launched the Norton Complex Care Clinic in Louisville to treat patients with hepatitis C. A new location is now open in Corydon, Indiana to bring expertise and educational resources to patients in the community. The clinic offers liver health education, treatment options and ongoing care. The new clinic is located at: Norton Complex…
The number of active pulmonary tuberculosis cases has increased in Louisville Metro recently. Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis include a chronic cough lasting more than two weeks, fever, night sweats and unintended weight loss. In the United States, the majority of tuberculosis cases occur in individuals who have emigrated from countries with high rates of the…