Naishtat to Be Released From Hospital

Rep. Elliott Naishtat during the 10th annual National Conference of State Legislatures Bipartisan Bike Ride, organized by BikeTexas

Good news for constituents of Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin. The dean of the Travis County delegation is set to be released from a hospital in Minnesota after being treated for internal bleeding.

As we reported yesterday, Naishtat was hospitalized after colliding with a rail while biking in Minneapolis on Friday morning. This afternoon, his office released more details and a medical update.

Naishtat was taking part in the 10th annual National Conference of State Legislatures Bipartisan Bike Ride when he hit the railing on a bicycle bridge as he took a drink. There was no other vehicle or person involved, and he completed the race. However, when he traveled to the Minneapolis Convention Center for the conference, he noticed that his leg was swollen, and medical staff called an ambulance. Naishtat was taken to the ICU at Hennepin County Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with internal bleeding.

While the impact was not major, he is on blood thinners because he has a mechanical heart valve. However, staff were able to stop the bleeding medically, without the need for surgery. He is now up and walking around, although he is under medical direction to keep his leg elevated. Hennepin County Medical Center Registered Nurse Sheryl Karvonen noted in the statement, "It is fortunate that Rep. Naishtat rides a bike and walks regularly. His good physical condition will speed up his recovery."

Naishtat has now been transferred to a regular hospital room, and is expected to be discharged either late Sunday or Monday. According to his office, Naishtat will probably stay with friends in the area for a few days before returning to Austin (when he gets back, he may find consolation from Congressman Lloyd Doggett, who found himself on crutches for much of his 2008 re-election bid after his own two-wheeled tumble.)

In a brief statement and medical update issued last night, Speaker Joe Straus wrote, "We wish Representative Naishtat a safe and speedy recovery."