In keeping with guidance from Gov. Andy Beshear, Norton Healthcare is resuming previously-postponed medical procedures, including elective inpatient surgeries. The health system gradually will add procedures such as outpatient surgery and limited inpatient operations. After that, if COVID-19 cases remain manageable and the Kentucky Department for Public Health agrees, all medical care will resume by…
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…
Physicians around the country are testing a possible treatment for COVID-19 using plasma taken from blood donated by fully recovered COVID-19 patients, called convalescent plasma. Locally, Norton Healthcare began offering this experimental treatment in early April and has transfused 21 patients who were critically ill with COVID-19. Of those, six have been well enough to be discharged…
Noninvasive diagnostic testing and procedures will resume April 27 in accordance with national and statewide guidance
Norton Healthcare pulmonologists have developed a protocol for treating COVID-19 patients with prone positioning before they need to be intubated. Using the prone position is common with intubated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The new protocol extends the treatment to those who are struggling for oxygen, but aren’t ready for a ventilator. For…
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….
A screening guide for COVID-19 symptoms currently in use by the Louisville area’s largest health care system is now available for other health care providers to use on their websites. The unbranded template, available for download through GitHub, asks a quick set of questions, and based on the answers, offers suggestions such as: Monitor your…
Your patients can access a wealth of local information at NortonHealthcare.com and NortonChildrens.com to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus and learn what to do if they have symptoms of COVID-19. Many of these resources are also available in Spanish. Start with NortonHealthcare.com/COVID-19 or NortonChildrens.com/COVID-19
Health care settings are high-risk areas for COVID-19 infection. Here are some extra precautions that will help limit the spread of the virus. Before work Completing this checklist every day before coming to work helps maintain a clean and secure healing environment. Wear clean scrubs/clothing to work. Bring a change of clothes in washable bag….
Norton Healthcare’s Erica Coghill discussed the new coronavirus with two Norton Healthcare physicians, including our system epidemiologist. Here’s a COVID-19 Q&A with James M. Frazier, M.D., vice president, medical affairs and quality, Norton Healthcare; and Paul S. Schulz, M.D., infectious diseases physician with Norton Infectious Disease Specialists and system epidemiologist for Norton Healthcare. What’s the…
James M. Frazier, M.D., vice president, medical affairs and quality, Norton Healthcare, answers some common questions about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. What is the coronavirus? Coronaviruses are not new. Like influenza, coronaviruses are a family of respiratory viruses with multiple strains. These strains have the ability to change over time, just like influenza. Coronaviruses…
The affiliation between Norton Healthcare, UofL Physicians – Pediatrics and the University of Louisville School of Medicine was finalized on Sunday, March 1, 2020. Under the newly formed Norton Children’s Medical Group, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, 21 former UofL general pediatric and pediatric subspecialist practices are now part of Norton Healthcare. Approximately…