Communications

(July 2, 2026) – With four of six matches completed and the fifth scheduled for tomorrow, care teams remain prepared to treat visitors. To date, health care delivery has continued without significant impact across the region. Health care updates below:

Just-in-time burn training: In anticipation of July 4th, when hospitals see an increase in trauma injuries, burns are a primary concern for providers. Adding to this concern is the fact many visitors in town for the World Cup may not have experience with fireworks.

With only three dedicated burn units in the region, hospitals that transfer burn patients may need to provide additional stabilization and treatment before transfer. To support this effort, experts from The University of Kansas Health System's Gene and Barbara Burnett Burn Center provided Just-in-Time Burn Care Training during a regional hospital's daily capacity call. Download the training deck here, and view the American Burn Association guidelines for burn referral here. Also, hear from burn specialist Julia C. Slater, MD, who shares safety tips to help prevent fireworks injuries and explains what to do if someone is burned.

Learn more about the region's burn centers:

• The University of Kansas Health System's Gene and Barbara Burnett Burn Center is the region's only nationally verified burn center by the American Burn Association.
• Children's Mercy operates the only designated Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and the only burn unit devoted exclusively to pediatric patients between St. Louis and Denver.
• Research Medical Center has an eight-bed dedicated burn unit and a burn surgical suite, providing access to specialized burn care for serious burn injuries, complex wounds and related conditions.

Heat exhaustion resources: As temperatures rise into typical summer ranges, concerns about heat exhaustion increases. Here, health care providers will find ready-to-use messaging on heat exhaustion.

Infection prevention resources: Below are resources to help clinicians evaluate and treat patients with suspected high-consequence or travel-related infections. These materials are available to all care teams to support timely, informed decision-making.

• Global infectious disease events dashboard: A resource that tracks emerging infectious threats worldwide, helping clinicians stay informed about evolving risks that may affect travelers or returning patients.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Yellow Book: A widely recognized, regularly updated reference that provides evidence-based recommendations for prevention, diagnosis and management of travel-related illnesses.

The Kansas Hospital Association will continue to share updates on health care throughout the tournament.
--Larry Van Der Wege