Burn experts urge better care
The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, changed the nation’s outlook on burn patient care, says Barbara Latenser, MD, director of the Burn Treatment Center at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Latenser organized a Midwest Burn Conference hosted by UI. “If everyone had survived the Twin Tower attacks, there would not have been enough burn beds in the country to handle all the patients,” she says. In fact, there are only 1,500 burn beds in the U.S., with a population of over 286 million. “It takes a big institutional commitment to have a verified burn center,” she explains. Good strides have been made in disaster management, but significant challenges remain. That’s one reason the conference was so important—burn experts met face-to-face to promote better collaboration. One outcome: the director of DeGowin Blood Center at UI has agreed to coordinate a Midwest tissue bank for disaster preparedness, in partnership with Cook County in Chicago. Another outcome: the American Burn Association created an “official” Midwestern Burn Region that includes 19 burn centers, nine states, and 38 million covered lives.

Stroke Center receives key seal of approval
The Stroke Center at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has earned a Gold Seal of Approval™ from the Joint Commission for Primary Stroke Centers, following an on-site review. “UI Hospitals and Clinics demonstrated that it follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients,” said Jean Range, a Joint Commission official. The UI program’s features include a dedicated stroke care unit, internationally recognized professional expertise, and access to the full spectrum of treatment options. The Joint Commission’s certification is based on the recommendations for primary stroke centers published by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association.

Reorganization moves forward
Jean Robillard, MD, dean of the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille a. Carver College of Medicine, has taken an additional title—vice president for medical affairs.

Other senior positions will include a chief medical officer and a chief financial officer.

Interim UI President Gary Fethke said the revised administrative structure—approved by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa—will better integrate three UI patient care organizations: UI Hospitals and Clinics, the UI Carver College of Medicine, and UI Physicians, Iowa's largest multi-specialty physician group practice.

Barbara Latenser, MD