Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

Here are today’s updates:

• Teamwork Shows During Early Respiratory Season
• Lalita Mahaseth, M.D., Joins Stormont Vail Pediatrics Team
• Laboratory Team Caring for Patients in Many Ways
• 2022 Warm & Thankful is Tonight
• Current Status at Stormont Vail Health

Teamwork Shows During Early Respiratory Season

There have been some tremendous team efforts at Stormont Vail Health to address the increase in patients who are ill with influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as other respiratory ailments. Dr. George Wright, Vice President, Primary Care Services, noted that on Monday, the Emergency Department, Express Care and Primary Care worked together to accommodate patients with Primary Care clinics, increasing their capacity. Some Primary Care providers also volunteered to work extra shifts in Express Care.

Our Topeka Express Care clinics and Emergency Department have been seeing record numbers of patients with respiratory type illnesses. The respiratory ailments arrived in our region and across the country earlier than usual this year. Primary Care offices are seeing increased numbers of patients with acute respiratory needs as a way to help with the volumes in the urgent care clinics.

This teamwork is indicative of the Stormont Vail spirit in supporting each other as we provide care for our community, says Dr. Wright.

Compounding the influx of patients with respiratory ailments, we are seeing indications of shortages of certain antibiotics and antivirals that may be prescribed for respiratory infections or influenza. There remain adequate alternatives to the most commonly prescribed medications that are in short supply.

Lalita Mahaseth, M.D., Joins Stormont Vail Pediatrics Team

Stormont Vail Health is proud to announce that Lalita Mahaseth, M.D., has joined our pediatrics team. Dr. Mahaseth grew up in Nepal where she received her medical education at Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal. Even at a young age, she enjoyed caring for kids. However, the biggest driving force behind her decision to pursue a career in pediatrics was following an earthquake in Nepal that affected many children.

“Kids were the most vulnerable group impacted by the earthquake,” said Dr. Mahaseth. “Seeing them in pain, reinforced made my decision to become a pediatrician.”

Her biggest advice for parents is to build healthy habits for their children and follow those habits themselves so they can be role models for their kids. “These habits extend beyond physical health,” Dr. Mahaseth said. “They include social and emotional habits as well.”

Outside of work, Dr. Mahaseth loves spending time with her family. She also enjoys traveling and learning about various cultures. After earning her medical education in Kathmandu, Dr. Mahaseth came to the U.S. where she completed her pediatric residency at the University of Toledo, Ohio. In addition, she is a member of the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Mahaseth believes there are important qualities a doctor must have when it comes to the care they provide. “I believe the qualities needed to be a good pediatric doctor are effective communication with parents and children, relationship building throughout the years of care, and trust between doctor and patient.” Dr. Mahaseth is now accepting new patients. Please call (785) 354-6000 to schedule an appointment.

Laboratory Team Caring for Patients in Many Ways

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the laboratory doors? This is your chance to peek into the world of everything from peering into petri dishes and testing body fluids, to microbiology, phlebotomy, chemistry, and so much more! Read about our extraordinary lab team members, what they do on a daily basis, and how they keep our community and patients safe in this week’s blog on stormontvail.org.

We are so grateful for every team member who uses their talents in the laboratory and what their hard work does for Stormont Vail. Thank you!

2022 Warm & Thankful is Tonight

Showing gratitude and thankfulness is important, especially this time of year. Please come and experience the Warm & Thankful annual celebration at 5:30 p.m. tonight at the Main Entrance of Stormont Vail’s Hospital or virtually on the Stormont Vail Health Facebook page.

The event will include our presentation of donated items to the Topeka Rescue Mission as well as the countdown of lighting up Stormont Vail Health for the holiday season. Timmy Hovestadt, 11, was selected to help light the display this year. Timmy recently received care at Stormont Vail Health and Children’s Mercy after a sprained ankle allowed a type of staph infection into his blood and became a serious medical situation. Timmy and Dr. Mina Fanous, a Stormont Vail pediatric intensivist, shared Timmy’s story on last week’s WIBW TV “To Your Health” segment.

Current Status at Stormont Vail Health

The weekly COVID-19 scorecard is posted on the Stormont Vail website. Here are highlights are from the scorecard:

• 16 inpatients are COVID-19 positive. This compares to 21 last week.
• 96% of recent COVID-19 admissions are unvaccinated or had last dose/booster more than 6 months ago.
• COVID-19 inpatient discharges (previous week): 26. Deaths: 1.
• 2 COVID-19 positive patients in the outpatient Enhanced Primary Care program.
• 11.4% of people tested for COVID-19 at Stormont Vail facilities the past seven days were positive. That is similar to 10.9% last week.
• 106,525 vaccinations (included boosters) administered.
• To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment:
  • Use online scheduling assistant at stormontvail.org/covid19/vaccine
  • Call (785) 270-4786.

We together,
Dr. Kenagy