In the News
HCMC physician: After months of low volumes, trauma center was “back to business” during protests
Matthew Prekker, critical care physician, Hennepin County Medical Center: What we see in the hospital has lagged a bit behind what’s going on in people’s homes in the community. We’ve been watching case numbers closely and have seen an unexpected plateau, or even the start of a decrease, in Minnesota, though we’re not feeling that drop yet in the hospital. We’re very busy and still have a lot of people who need critical care.
When he saw the clinic’s destruction, administrator Tom Lyon said he felt “extremely saddened” for the community.
Minnesota Department of Health holds free testing for people who attended protests
“Over the last two days we’ve seen 200 plus patients,” said Dr. Anne Hust with Hennepin Healthcare.
How to talk to your kids about racism and other difficult topics
“Kids are feeling the stress, feeling the concern from parents and from community members. We see behavioral changes, we see nightmares and lost sleep,” Dr. Krishnan Subrahmanian says.
Minneapolis hospitals brace for COVID-19 surge following protests
“We are already on the verge in terms of staffing and space,” said Caitlin Eccles-Radtke, MD, an infectious disease physician at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. “We are getting closer and closer to being overly full.”
George Floyd showed no signs of life from time EMS arrived, fire department report says
By the time George Floyd was en route to the hospital Monday evening, he was unresponsive and without a pulse. But for nearly an hour, first responders and ER staff refused to give up on the 46-year-old St. Louis Park man in their care. “He still had an outside chance,” said Hennepin Healthcare EMS Chief Marty Scheerer. “Even if it’s a super long shot, you’ve got to try your best.”
Minnesota ICU beds in use for COVID-19 patients reach new high
“This is an expected trend,” said Jennifer DeCubellis, CEO of Hennepin Healthcare, which oversees HCMC (formerly Hennepin County Medical Center). “We anticipated that social distancing would allow health systems time to get space, staff and supplies in place in order to be better prepared for higher volumes — but that the volumes would still increase, ideally at a slower and more manageable pace.”
HCMC physician: “We’re not in a crisis quite yet but we’re teetering right at that brink”
Matthew Prekker, critical care physician, HCMC interviewed.
Minnesota health officials call for caution after news of Twin Cities ICU beds filling up
At different times, Hennepin County Medical Center and North Memorial Health Hospital were diverting patients to other hospitals.
Planning a social gathering? Here are the dos, don’ts, and risks
According to Dr. David Hilden, the vice president of medical affairs at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis, as long as multiple people aren’t hovering around the grill, a backyard barbecue should be safe. “If one person is cooking on the grill and the others are sitting on chairs relatively far apart, that’s a relatively low risk thing to do,” Hilden said.
Virus risk factors show who is likely to land in the hospital
Labored breathing and low blood-oxygen levels are what typically prompt doctors to admit COVID-19 patients, but those patients rarely have no other health concerns, said Dr. Aaron Rutzick, a Hennepin Healthcare specialist who treats COVID-19 patients and assesses their needs for hospital care.
911 operator tells motorist who wanted to die: “I’m not going to let you go”
Dr. Stamatis Zeris, a psychiatrist with Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis, said the driver did the right thing in seeking help, and that those who have reached a mental breaking point should do the same.
Coronavirus in Minnesota: a look at which clinics are testing and how much
“‘I’m not feeling well, I want to make sure I can get screened here, are my symptoms can I get access to testing?’ And as every day goes by the answer to those questions slowly become yes,” Dr. Glen Hansen, medical director for microbiology & molecular diagnostic testing at Hennepin Healthcare, said.
Minnesota hospitals readying for “the beast” of COVID-19
“We’ve positioned ourselves about as best as we can,” said Dr. John Hick, a Hennepin Healthcare emergency physician who has taken on a state hospital coordinating role. “Now just don’t step on the gas too hard [on reducing social distancing)] because we can’t fall behind on this virus.”
Chaplains step up to keep Minnesota families connected, support hospital staff during pandemic
Especially on a day like Mother’s Day, it can be so challenging for family members who have a loved one in the hospital who they can’t visit because of COVID-19 restrictions. But, some families are lucky to rely on hospital staff members at Hennepin County Medical Center who are a guiding light through these tough times. Chaplains Medhat Yoakiem and Karna Anderson interviewed.
Minnesota’s child vaccinations drop amid COVID-19 fears
“There certainly is concern and worry. At the same time we’ve also heard from families that really do want to make sure that their children are up to date on essential vaccines,” said Dr. Dawn Martin, a pediatrician with Hennepin Healthcare.
Pediatrician shares advice on helping kids deal with emotional toll of pandemic
Pediatrician Krishnan Subrahmanian says rituals and resilience can help with kids and their mental health.
For Minnesota’s deaf and hard of hearing, wearing masks is another barrier to communication
The hectic environment of hospitals, the noise of medical equipment and the tired condition of patients only make it harder to hear and process information, said Dr. Janet Hansen, an audiologist at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC).
Hennepin Healthcare expands community testing for COVID-19
“This information will help us identify where the virus is, how prevalent it is and where it’s going,” said Dr. Glen Hansen, Director of Hennepin Healthcare’s Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostic Lab.
