COVID-19

February 18, 2021

Who is that masked man?

Frank Nix of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit finds a way to connect with patient families with his custom face covers

By Jessica Pasley
Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, talks about the many challenges VUMC has faced during the past year at this week’s Leadership assembly. (photo by Donn Jones)
February 18, 2021

Take care of you: 5 Takeaways from Leadership Assembly

In the 351 days since the COVID-19 Command Center opened to steer Vanderbilt University Medical Center through the pandemic, the workforce stepped up and contributed, keeping the health system on track to deliver care even as the landscape quaked with new challenges.

By Holly Fletcher
February 15, 2021

Patients’ stories motivate Lizzie Simonds, the only paramedic working in VUMC’s COVID unit

She remembers one man who was scared and couldn’t rest: “I spent 45 minutes…sitting next to him, holding his hand so he felt safe enough to try to sleep for a little bit.”

By Wayne Wood
February 11, 2021

VUSM students helping vaccinate patients against COVID-19

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine students will be rolling up their sleeves and pitching in to vaccinate patients against COVID-19.

By Kathy Whitney
February 11, 2021

Data mart speeds recruitment for COVID research

The arrival last March of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tennessee presented challenges for the clinical research enterprise at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Prompt recruitment of patients newly diagnosed with COVID-19 into clinical trials was, and remains, a public health imperative with top-level backing from the federal government.

By Paul Govern
February 11, 2021

Clinical Trials Unit lands major grant renewal

Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have received renewal of a major federal grant to continue their collaboration to test and develop new treatments and vaccines against HIV/AIDS — and now COVID-19.

By Bill Snyder
February 10, 2021

More than 1,000 receive antibody infusions for COVID-19 at VUMC

As of Feb. 1,065 outpatients have received antibody infusions since the clinic opened on Nov. 18. Clinic officials estimated that the infusions have prevented about 70 patients from developing severe COVID-19 illness requiring hospitalization or emergency department evaluation.
By Bill Snyder
February 8, 2021

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt sees surge in rare MIS-C cases amid drop in COVID-19 numbers

While the number of COVID-19 cases across the country is decreasing, pediatricians at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt are beginning to see a new post-surge trend: an increase in cases of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).
By Christina Echegaray
February 5, 2021

Convalescent plasma improved survival in COVID-19 patients with blood cancers

Treatment with convalescent plasma vastly improved the survival rate of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 who also had hematologic malignances that compromise the immune system, according to new data released by the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19).
By Tom Wilemon
February 4, 2021

Grand rounds focuses on mental health, wellness

Advanced practice nurses, physician assistants and hospital leaders from around Vanderbilt University Medical Center gathered over Zoom on Jan. 19 for the kickoff of Advanced Practice Grand Rounds, the monthly educational series organized by the Office of Advanced Practice.
By Matt Batcheldor
February 3, 2021

Webinar set to address growing threat of cyberbullying

The increase in children’s online activity during the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked the decision to host a free webinar on cyberbullying and internet safety on Thursday, Feb. 11, from noon to 1 p.m.
By Jessica Pasley
February 2, 2021

Study finds recommended ICU sedatives equally safe, effective

Sedative medications used in intensive care are associated with increased delirium, which is in turn connected with higher medical costs and greater risk of death and ICU-related dementia.
By Paul Govern
January 28, 2021

Study’s findings may help eventually close the door on COVID-19

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston have discovered what may be the Achilles’ heel of the coronavirus, a finding that may help close the door on COVID-19 and possibly head off future pandemics.
By Bill Snyder