Oak Ridge Today



Hospitals ask for your help

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Methodist Medical Center Main Entrance
Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

Emergency departments at hospitals in the Knoxville area are overflowing and many health care workers are absent due to illness, and health care systems are asking for your help as they start a third year battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our communities are still in an emergency,” the hospitals said in a statement Wednesday. “Health care systems continue to be under unprecedented strain. We remain committed to delivering the medical services needed by our communities, but we need your help.

The statement was issued by Covenant Health, which includes Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge; Tennova Healthcare; University of Tennessee Medical Center; Blount Memorial Hospital; and Sweetwater Hospital Association.

“The Omicron variant is racing through East Tennessee with lightning speed, spreading easily from person to person, increasing infections and hospitalizations,” the hospitals said in their statement. “This year. we are also seeing large numbers of patients with respiratory illnesses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pneumonia, and post-COVID-19 complications, in addition to heart attacks, strokes, and other emergent care needs. Our emergency departments are overflowing with these cases and other medical emergencies, leading to longer-than-usual wait times as we work to deliver care to all who are counting on us.”

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COVID cases exceed 250 per day

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A daily snapshot of COVID-19 cases in Anderson County on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, includes, among other information, the daily number of new cases and the daily positivity rate. (Graphic by Tennessee Department of Health)A daily snapshot of COVID-19 cases in Anderson County on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, includes, among other information, the daily number of new cases and the daily positivity rate. (Graphic by Tennessee Department of Health)

  The number of new COVID-19 cases hit a pandemic high last week with more than 250 new cases per day, and deaths have increased to a level not seen since the winter 2020 surge, more than one per day. Positivity soared last week to a record 49%, with one out of every two patients testing positive for COVID-19. Hospitalizations at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge have tripled since after Christmas. About 22% of the county’s residents have been infected since the pandemic began roughly two years ago.

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A daily snapshot of COVID-19 cases in Anderson County on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, includes, among other information, the daily number of new cases and the daily positivity rate. (Graphic by Tennessee Department of Health)A daily snapshot of COVID-19 cases in Anderson County on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, includes, among other information, the daily number of new cases and the daily positivity rate. (Graphic by Tennessee Department of Health)

Note: This story was updated at 10:05 a.m.

The number of new COVID-19 cases hit a pandemic high last week with more than 250 new cases per day, and deaths have increased to a level not seen since the winter 2020 surge, more than one per day. Positivity soared last week to a record 49%, with one out of every two patients testing positive for COVID-19. Hospitalizations at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge have tripled since after Christmas. About 22% of the county’s residents have been infected since the pandemic began roughly two years ago.


A daily snapshot of COVID-19 cases in Anderson County on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, includes, among other information, the daily number of new cases and the daily positivity rate. (Graphic by Tennessee Department of Health)A daily snapshot of COVID-19 cases in Anderson County on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, includes, among other information, the daily number of new cases and the daily positivity rate. (Graphic by Tennessee Department of Health)

  The number of new COVID-19 cases hit a pandemic high last week with more than 250 new cases per day, and deaths have increased to a level not seen since the winter 2020 surge, more than one per day. Positivity soared last week to a record 49%, with one out of every two patients testing positive for COVID-19. Hospitalizations at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge have tripled since after Christmas. About 22% of the county’s residents have been infected since the pandemic began roughly two years ago.

The rest of this story is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or contributor to Oak Ridge Today. Already a member? Great! Thank you! Sign in here. Not a member? No problem! Subscribe here: Basic

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If you prefer to send a check, you may do so by mailing one to: Oak Ridge Today P.O. Box 6064 Oak Ridge, TN 37831 We also have advanced subscription options. You can see them here. We also accept donations. You can donate here. A donation of $50 or more will make you eligible for a subscription. Thank you for reading Oak Ridge Today. We appreciate your support!

Covenant Health testing blood plasma treatment in COVID-19 patients

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Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, which is part of Covenant Health, is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

Covenant Health hospitals, including Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, are testing blood plasma to treat COVID-19 patients.

It’s part of a nationwide effort to treat some COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma transfusions as part of a clinical trial. The convalescent plasma is donated by patients who have recovered from COVID-19. As part of an experiment, it is being given to current COVID-19 patients who are experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms, Covenant Health announced Friday.

Plasma is the liquid component of blood that contains many useful proteins and antibodies.

“It is commonly used in the daily practice of medicine for treating certain conditions,” said Covenant Health pathologist Mark Williams, a doctor who is the principal investigator for the clinical trial. “Convalescent plasma refers to plasma that has been donated by patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and is likely to contain antibodies to the SARS-CoV 2 virus.”

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With exceptions, visitors not allowed at MMC

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With some exceptions, visitors are no longer allowed at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

The new visitor policy was effective at the hospital on Saturday, March 21.

Exceptions to the policy include:

  • Visiting a loved one for end-of-life care.
  • A visitor vital to the care of the patient.
  • Patients coming for surgery or testing may have one caregiver accompany them.
  • Women giving birth may have one birthing partner, doula, or caregiver.

Eight inmates treated at MMC after Morgan County fight

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Morgan County Correctional Complex (Photo courtesy Tennessee Department of Correction)

Eight inmates were treated at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge after a Monday night fight at the Morgan County Correctional Facility near Wartburg, officials said.

The Tennessee Department of Correction described the injuries as minor.

“All eight were treated, released, and returned to the facility a short time later,” TDOC said in a statement provided by spokesperson Robert A. Reburn on Tuesday. “Leadership at the facility have enacted measures that restrict the movement of inmates in the involved housing units until the conclusion of the investigation.”

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Attempted carjacking charge added in crash that injured officer

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Khristoff Deshawn Lee

An attempted carjacking charge has been added to the eight charges already filed against a man accused of injuring an Oak Ridge officer when he fled from police and crashed on South Illinois Avenue last week.

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Oak Ridge, TN 37831

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Khristoff Deshawn Lee

Khristoff Deshawn Lee

Khristoff Deshawn Lee

An attempted carjacking charge has been added to the eight charges already filed against a man accused of injuring an Oak Ridge officer when he fled from police and crashed on South Illinois Avenue last week.

The rest of this story is available if you are a member: a subscriber, advertiser, or contributor to Oak Ridge Today.

Already a member? Great! Thank you! Sign in here.

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Basic

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If you prefer to send a check, you may do so by mailing one to:

Oak Ridge Today
P.O. Box 6064
Oak Ridge, TN 37831

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Thank you for reading Oak Ridge Today. We appreciate your support!

Mental health evaluation ordered for man charged with terrorism

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Agey Christopher Stamey

Agey Christopher Stamey

  A mental health evaluation has been ordered for a man who was charged with terrorism in January after allegedly threatening to blow up Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge with dynamite and shoot everyone inside with a shotgun. The first evaluation for Agey C. Stamey II, 40, of Knoxville,was ordered at Ridgeview Psychiatric Hospital by Anderson County General Sessions Court Judge Roger Miller on January 25. The appointment had been scheduled for February 21, according to court records. A second order, filed March 6, said Ridgeview had recommended that Stamey be referred to the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute in Chattanooga for an evaluation. A transport order filed Thursday said Stamey has an appointment scheduled for April 19. The evaluation is expected to determine Stamey’s competency to stand trial and mental condition at the time of the crime (the insanity defense). [Read more…]

Officer injured in crash released from hospital

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An Oak Ridge Police Department officer was injured in a crash and children were taken to the hospital after a fugitive crashed a car as he fled from police on Wednesday, April 5, 2018, authorities said. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge/Oak Ridge Police Department)

The Oak Ridge Police Department officer injured in a crash allegedly caused by a fugitive who was fleeing from police on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, has been released from the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, a spokesperson said Friday. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge/Oak Ridge Police Department)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 9:55 a.m.

The officer injured in a crash allegedly caused by a fugitive who was fleeing from police on Wednesday has been released from the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, a spokesperson confirmed Friday.

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Nathan Gibson was injured while trying to make a traffic stop and serve a warrant on Khristoff Deshawn Lee, 24, of Oak Ridge, on South Illinois Avenue at about 12:37 p.m. Wednesday, according to affidavits filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge.

Gibson has been discharged, UT Medical Center spokesperson Susan Wyatt said Friday afternoon. No information is available on his present condition.

It’s not clear what charges might have been in the warrant Gibson was trying to serve on Lee on Wednesday, but a writ of criminal capias had been issued for Lee after he failed to appear at a plea agreement hearing on attempted first-degree murder and robbery charges, among other pending charges, in Anderson County Criminal Court in Clinton on August 14. [Read more…]

Construction advisory for Methodist Medical Center

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Methodist Medical Center Main Entrance

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge is pictured above.

 

Starting Friday, March 16, construction crews will be working day and night on top of the roof of Methodist Medical Center this weekend to install new air handling units on the hospital’s West Tower. Because of the nature and non-stop timing of this project, there will be activity and lighting on the roof of West Tower around the clock until the work is completed sometime on the evening of Sunday, March 18, a press release said.

For patient comfort, patients and staff currently on 5-West will be moved to another floor to minimize exposure to noise during the project. In addition, a portion of the driveway around the back of the hospital will be closed due to equipment staging. The hospital’s helipad will also be closed to helicopter traffic; however, an alternative landing zone has been coordinated with the Oak Ridge Fire Department for any incoming or outgoing air transport needs.

Emergency services should be accessed via the east side of the hospital nearest the Emergency Department entrance. All private car discharges will occur from the Main Lobby during this period.

This press release was submitted by Crystal Jordan.

Crash seriously injures motorcyclist, officer applies tourniquet

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The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a crash between a Kia and a motorcycle that seriously injured a motorcyclist between California Avenue and Ogden Drive on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. The Toyota at right was not involved in the crash. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Police Department investigates a crash between a Kia and a motorcycle that seriously injured a motorcyclist between California Avenue and Ogden Drive on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. The Toyota to the right of the motorcycle was not involved in the crash. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 11 a.m. Feb 23.

A crash between a Kia sport utility vehicle and a motorcycle seriously injured a motorcyclist on Outer Drive on Wednesday afternoon, and a police officer used a tourniquet to help stop bleeding, possibly saving the man’s life, authorities said.

The crash was reported at about 3:50 p.m. Wednesday.

The motorcyclist had a serious injury to his lower left leg, Oak Ridge Police Chief Jim Akagi said.

Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Tim Buckner and Probationary Officer Michael Wilson were the first to arrive at the crash. Buckner, who had received training on a tactical tourniquet in April 2017, applied a tourniquet and stopped the blood flow, Akagi said. The motorcyclist had several punctured arteries and was suffering from blood loss, authorities said. [Read more…]

Warrants: Man charged with terrorism after threatening to blow up hospital, shoot everyone inside

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Agey Christopher Stamey

Agey Christopher Stamey

 

A Knoxville man who allegedly fought with officers and was carrying a box cutter and pole while acting erratically was charged with committing an act of terrorism after threatening to blow up Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge with dynamite and shoot everyone inside with a shotgun, court records said.

Agey C. Stamey II, 40, of Asheville Highway, was charged with the one count of commission of an act of terrorism and two counts of assault. He was arrested Friday, January 12, and remained jailed in the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton on Tuesday, with his bond set at $110,000.

Affidavits filed in Anderson County General Session Court in Oak Ridge said Oak Ridge Police Department Officer Tim Nguyen checked on the welfare of a white man wearing a brown jacket and red hat who was carrying a pole and acting erratically while walking on East Tennessee Avenue behind Methodist Medical Center on January 12. [Read more…]

Hospital workers to picket Tuesday as contract negotiations continue

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Members of Service Employees International Union Local 205 rallied in front of Methodist Medical Center during a heavy rain on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, to protest the state of negotiations on a new three-year contract. The rally included about 150 people, and the crowd stretched over a block. (Photo submitted by SEIU)

Members of Service Employees International Union Local 205 rallied in front of Methodist Medical Center during a heavy rain on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, to protest the state of negotiations on a new three-year contract. The rally included about 150 people, and the crowd stretched over a block. (Photo submitted by SEIU)

 

Hospital workers at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge will have an informational picket on Tuesday as contract negotiations continue.

The picket, meant to educate staff and the community, is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 7, at Methodist Medical Center, which is at 990 Oak Ridge Oak Ridge Turnpike, a press release said.

Nurses and support staff, along with their allies in the community, will attend, the press release said.

Service Employees International Union Local 205 represents more than 800 registered nurses and service and technical employees at MMC, a Covenant Health facility in Oak Ridge. In a Monday press release, the SEIU said the hospital workers have been working under a three-year contract that is set to expire on November 15.

“Last week, union members voted overwhelmingly to authorize their bargaining committee to issue the hospital a notice of intent to strike if an agreement cannot be reached,” the press release said. “Issues which are in dispute are maintaining safe staffing levels and reasonable working hours, Methodist’s plan to slash wages for new employees, and affordable health insurance on par with other Covenant facilities.” [Read more…]

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