As of January 25, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented a resurgence of measles cases across multiple states. This alarming trend has raised concerns about the potential loss of the United States’ measles elimination status, a milestone achieved nearly two decades ago.

Throughout 2023, the CDC recorded a total of 58 measles cases reported in various states across the nation, including California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The United States has proudly maintained measles elimination since 2000, a testament to high vaccination rates with two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Still, the potential for outbreaks looms, especially if measles gains a foothold in communities with low vaccination rates.

Measles is highly contagious, with an estimated 90% of unvaccinated individuals contracting the disease when exposed to an infected person. Efforts to combat measles resurgence are underway, with healthcare institutions like the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Family Medicine ensuring compliance with administering MMR vaccines to eligible age groups within the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.

Children are recommended to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose administered between 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose between 4 to 6 years of age. Alternatively, the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine (MMRV) offers another option for children aged 12 months to 12 years, following the same dosing schedule as the MMR vaccine.

PVCH Family Medicine urges parents and caregivers to ensure their children are up-to-date on vaccinations, emphasizing the critical role vaccination plays in preventing the spread of measles and maintaining the hard-won status of measles elimination in the United States.

For more information, please go to https://www.cdc.gov/.

Patients at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) now have access to additional life-saving equipment, thanks to a collaboration with two state agencies.

PVCH has received two new ventilators, which brings the total to five.

“We just completed the training on the new equipment,” said Dusty Thacker, director of Cardiopulmonary Services and Emergency Management. “While we hope to never need all the ventilators at once, this helps us be prepared to give the best care available during an emergency.”

A ventilator is a device that helps people breathe when they have difficulty doing so on their own. It supplies a controlled flow and volume of air into the lungs, supporting the respiratory system in cases of severe illness.

Circumstances in which a ventilator is used include severe respiratory infections, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) and Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) donated the equipment to PVCH.

“KDEM previously purchased the ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Thacker noted. “But recently, they accepted requests from hospitals that want to keep the ventilators on hand instead of having to ask for them on an as-needed basis.

“We appreciate these state agencies for allowing us to participate in this great ventilator program.”

It is a comfort to know that PVCH now has additional ventilators, Thacker commented.

“This equipment can be used for any type of Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) that could affect our community,” he explained. “An MCI occurs when emergency resources,

such as personnel and equipment, are overwhelmed by the number and severity of casualties.”

Examples include multi-vehicle accidents, natural disasters, and chemical biological and radiological events.

“As a vital resource in our community, PVCH must be prepared for many types of emergencies,” Thacker emphasized. “We continually prepare for any type of MCI that could affect our community.

“Requesting these new ventilators demonstrates our commitment to the community.”

PVCH would like to congratulate Susan Aistrup on being recognized as a PVCH Foundation Healthcare Star by Lori and Brian Hammeke! 

The PVCH Foundation Healthcare Stars program was born to recognize those healthcare professionals who have provided exceptional care to their patients. In doing so, they can also give a gift to honor the individual or group nominated. These gifts directly support the care PVCH healthcare professionals provide by purchasing new equipment and technology to improve and expand services. The Healthcare Stars program serves as an encouragement to the staff at PVCH while also recognizing their outstanding dedication to patient care. Everyone nominated receives a certificate with the patient’s comments; their name is placed on the Healthcare Star plaque, and a special Healthcare Stars pin that symbolizes their exceptional commitment to patient care. 

Lori and Brian stated, “I went to see Susan a week before I was getting married. She really listened to me and did all she could to get me feeling better before the wedding. She is following up with me to ensure I continue to feel good. She is very caring! I appreciate all Susan did for me.” 

Susan’s empathy and commitment have had a profound effect on the lives of her patients. Her commitment to providing exceptional healthcare exemplifies the highest standards of excellence possible. Her patients are truly fortunate to have her as an advocate and caregiver. 

This award is a testament to her unwavering passion for making a positive difference, and it serves as an inspiration to others in the healthcare community. 

It didn’t take long for Kathryn Buchanan to notice that the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) team is “patient-oriented with a real sense of community spirit.”

Buchanan is the new family nurse practitioner at PVCH Family Medicine, 713 W. 11th in Larned. She began seeing patients Dec. 11.

“I specialize in family medicine and look forward to meeting my new patients in the coming weeks and months,” Buchanan said. “I will care for and treat patients with acute and chronic diseases and conditions from age 2 and older.”

Buchanan, an Ellinwood resident, noted she is “impressed with the wide variety of PVCH services and up-to-date equipment. This illustrates to me that one of the hospital’s priorities is offering as much quality healthcare as possible close to home.

“In addition, from day one, the environment here has been welcoming. There is a genuine sense of community among staff members who are always willing to help patients and their colleagues. This is important to me.”

Buchanan, who is originally from Mississippi, earned an associate’s degree in nursing in 2019 and bachelor’s degree in nursing the following year. Both degrees were awarded by Mississippi University for Women.

Next came her master’s in nursing/family nurse practitioner earlier this year at The University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Buchanan’s professional background includes serving the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department as a registered nurse at North Mississippi Medical Center; registered nurse at Mississippi HomeCare; and med-surg nurse at The University of Kansas Health System.

Melanie Urban, PVCH administrator, noted that “in the brief time Kathryn has been here, she is already demonstrating her practitioner skills, as well as her compassion towards her patients. Kathryn’s talents mesh well with our mission to provide high-quality healthcare right here at home.”