四百
University Daily Kansan
Campus
Wednesday, August 20. 1986
Various services available Watkins hospital in healthy condition
By Kristi Schroeder
Staff writer
Students often knock the quality of services offered at Watkins Hospital, but despite these insults the hospital at the University of Kansas offers many services not found in other Big Eight schools.
James Strobi, director of student health services, said the services offered by the various universities differed because of tradition more than anything else. For example, the pharmacy in Watkins is run through Watkins rather than the School of Pharmacy.
"KU is probably about the largest in number of staff and divisions," Strobl said. "Colorado is close to KU in size, and Mizzou is the smallest."
The University of Missouri has smaller health service buildings on campus because the medical center for the school is right across the street, Strobli said. The other schools, such as KU, do not have med centers that are accessible to the students on the main campuses.
KU has 10 full-time physicians and one psychiatrist. Kansas State University and the University of Nebraska have seven and the University of Oklahoma has eight physicians.
Strobl said one of the most significant differences other than services offered is the amount paid by the students for services at the health centers.
At K-State the lab charges for all tests done by that department, he said, and KU does not charge for most lab services.
The hospital can perform 85 percent of the lab services in the hospital and the students are not charged for these tests. The other 15 percent are tests of a specialized nature and must be sent out. The hospital charges the
student the same amount as the hospital must pay for the tests, plus $3 for shipping and handling, Strobli said.
In-patients are charged for their lab tests and any tests that must be read by a pathologist are charged to the students.
The health fee paid by KU students covers a large portion of the bills normally charged by other hospitals.
Iowa State University receives half of its income from tax revenues. Nebraska doesn't charge for as many services as some of the other universities, Strobl said.
A special service offered by Watkins, free of charge, is direct billing to students' insurance agencies. Watkins has two full-time people who work in the insurance billing office. But Strobl said this service might be in jeopardy.
"That service costs us a lot of money," Strobli said.
When the hospital has to start cutting corners, the insurance billing may be one of the first to go, but other types of cuts may also be ahead for Watkins.
K-State closes its hospital in the summer, and Strobl said that Watkins would face the same kind of closing in the future to help cut expenses. The in-patient services offered by Watkins also are very expensive to maintain and may face elimination in the future.
"In-patient care takes a lot of hands," Strobl said. "Salaries take a big bite out of the hospital."
Iowa State was forced to close its in-patient services four years ago. Nebraska just renovated its in-patient services and Missouri has no in-patient services, Strobl said.
Watkins accepts students after the regular clinic hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If a student signs in at 4:31 p.m.
he will not be able to see a doctor, but a nurse practitioner is available to examine him. The emergency room is open 24 hours a day.
Watkins has a full-time dietary consultant, Ann Kohl - a service offered by other universities, such as K-State and Iowa State.
Kohl is available to answer and aid students with any type of problems regarding food.
"I counsel on any and all eating concerns," Kohl said.
Kohl helps design nutritional habits to improve athletic performance, modifies diets for weight gain or reduction and improves the qualities of some diets.
Any person who comes to Kohl for weight reduction must first be screened by a physician or the nurse practitioner. This is done for the student's own protection, she said.
"I don't think the word is out all over campus," Kohl said. "But once a person comes in for counseling a lot of times I get calls a few days later
Kohl is busiest in the fall and spring and most of that business comes from referrals.
A year ago Watkins began a sports medicine program which was so well-received that it has expanded its hours. The program offers students the chance to learn more about injuries that can result from participation in sports and ways to prevent these injuries.
from her friends wanting to come in to see me."
"The program was open 8 to 9 every morning." Strobli said. "Second semester we were open from 8 to 10 and we are continuing to grow."
Robert Ohlen, executive director of Lawrence Memorial Hospital, said the services offered by his hospital and Watkins were pretty similar. Lawrence Memorial does not keep any statistics on the number of college students from the county who use its services.
The best way for students to find out the services offered at Watkins is to call the hospital. The lobby of the hospital also carries pamphlets and has bulletin boards with health education information on them.
LAWRENCE'S COMPLETE SPECIALTY STORE FOR THE KID IN EVERYONE
Pharmacist Cathy Thrasher prepares prescriptions at the Watkins Hospital pharmacy. Thrasher has been an employee at Watkins for two years.
Darcy Chang/KANSAN
SAVE YOUR MONEY.
CLIP A COUPON!
ZERCHER
PHOTO
Film & Darkroom Supply Headquarters!
DEVELOPING TANK WITH UNIVERSAL REEL
Experienced photographic staff to answer ALL your questions!
1107 Massachusetts 919 Iowa
Light Up Your Home
Legal Services for Students
Call or drop by to make an appointment.
Did you know that your student activity fee funds a law office for students? Most services are available at NO CHARGE!
- Advice on most legal matters
8:30 to 5:00 Mon. thru Friday
117 Burge (Satellite) Union 864-5665
- Advice on most legal matters
- Preparation & review of legal documents
- Notarization of legal documents
- Many other services available
Funded by student activity fee.
BACK TO KINKO'S
DOWNTOWN 843-4435
HILLCREST 841-8668
- High quality copies
- Low cost
- Close to campus
- Open early, open late,
open weekends
kinko's
904 VERMONT 622 W. 121th St.
843-8019 842-6177
2024 W. 23rd St.
749-5392
SAVE YOUR MONEY,
CLIP A COUPON!
Arensberg's Shoes.
We offer:
— The largest inventory in the area.
- Quality name brands you expect from Arensberg's.
- Over 100 years combined sales experience.
— One of the biggest, most beautiful stores you've ever seen!
ARENSBERG'S SHOES
One step ahead
Quality Footwear for the whole family since 1958.
OPEN SUN.
1:00-5:00
825 Massachusetts Downtown Lawrence