UAB Briefs: UAB Hospital honored, Blood donations needed
In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on campus at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
We also provide updates regarding UAB’s efforts to cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
To read the school’s COVID-19 updates and find health information, go to uab.edu/coronavirus.
Let us know about people, events and programs on campus that deserve a mention in UAB Briefs. Email jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
BLOOD NEEDED
There is a severe blood shortage, and Americans are encouraged to donate blood.
That’s the message from Dr. Marisa Marques, director of Transfusion Services at UAB.
“There is an urgent need for blood products so that hospitals have suitable reserves for those patients who need a blood transfusion, such as those with cancer, sickle cell disease, undergoing emergency surgery, trauma victims or postpartum women,” Marques said in a UAB news release.
Summer typically sees a decrease in the nation’s blood supply, and the situation is even worse this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are urging citizens to donate at this time of tremendous need,” Marques said.
Due to social distancing, many people have curtailed their normal activities, including blood donation.
However, officials say it’s safe to donate during the pandemic due to the safety protocols implemented by blood collection agencies.
To find a blood drive or fixed donation location, go to the websites of the American Red Cross or LifeSouth Community Blood Centers.
MAKING THE LIST
For the eighth year in a row, UAB Hospital has been included on the list of 100 Great Hospitals in America. It is compiled by Becker’s Hospital Review.
UAB has earned this distinction every year since 2013 and is the only hospital in Alabama to make the annual list published by Becker’s Healthcare, a leading source of cutting-edge business and legal information for health care industry leaders.
“Every person who touches UAB Medicine in any way can take pride in this designation,” said Will Ferniany, UAB Health System CEO.
According to Becker’s, the hospitals included on this list have been recognized nationally for excellence in clinical care, patient outcomes, and staff and physician satisfaction.
Becker’s Healthcare selected hospitals for inclusion based on analysis of ranking and award agencies, including U.S. News & World Report’s 2018-19 rankings, CareChex, Healthgrades, CMS star ratings, Leapfrog grades, and IBM Watson Health top hospitals. Becker’s also sought nominations for this list.
'UNSUNG HEROES'
In May, actor and musician Harry Connick Jr. and a CBS television video crew stopped by UAB Hospital to recognize unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to UAB Media Relations.
Five members of UAB’s environmental services department will be honored in “United we Sing: A Grammy Salute to the Unsung Heroes,” airing Sunday, June 21, at 7 p.m. central time on CBS-TV.
He and his filmmaker daughter, Georgia Connick, took a road trip in an RV to thank and celebrate essential workers who risk their own lives on a daily basis to keep others safe. The UAB stop May 12 celebrated those who clean and disinfect hospital rooms and treatment areas during these difficult times.
“We are thrilled that CBS is shining a light on the important work our staff engages in every day: keeping UAB Hospital as clean and safe as possible to minimize the threat of infection for our patients and our health care workers,” said Ed Crump, senior director of Environmental Services for UAB Hospital.