To Listen
The Tate Chronicles: Hal Wolf on Health Tech Supporting COVID-19
This week on HealthcareNOW Radio Jim Tate (@jimtate), host of The Tate Chronicles, talks to Hal Wolf (@HalWolfIII), President and CEO of HIMSS (@HIMSS), about issues related to the cancellation of the HIMSS Global Conference, plans for the Digital HIMSS 2020 Conference, and health technologies supporting the efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Listeners can tune in to the episode this week at 11:30 am, 7:30 pm or 3:30 am ET.
News and Noted
CommonWell Member Executives Share their Thoughts on COVID-19 and the New Data Sharing Rules
This week, CommonWell (@CommonWell) had the unique opportunity to talk with a wide variety of thought leaders during such a pivotal and tumultuous time for our industry. As such, we decided to go a bit off script and ask some of these experts about both the new CMS and ONC data exchange rules and the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch these excerpts from CommonWell TV to hear what they had to say.
MedChi Urges the State of Maryland to Help Implement Telehealth Technology for Physicians to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus
MedChi (@MedChiupdates), the Maryland State Medical Society, is urging the State of Maryland to provide physician practices with telehealth technology to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
MedChi has been a leader on coronavirus, educating and working with physicians in the state. “Our physician members have raised two major concerns about the pandemic,” said Gene Ransom, MedChi CEO. “They are concerned about the lack of adequate testing and about preventing health worker exposure to the virus.” The State announced today that two major lab companies will be able to test this week, which Ransom expects to help resolve physicians’ concerns about testing. “But the risk of exposure for healthcare workers continues to be a major concern,” he adds.
Durbin, Alexander, Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Address Medical Supply Vulnerability Due To Coronavirus
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) (@SenatorDurbin) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) (@SenAlexander), along with a group of nine Senators, introduced the Commission on America’s Medical Security, bipartisan legislation to safeguard America’s medical supply chain and address shortages due to the United States’ dependence on foreign-made medical equipment. Approximately 40 percent of finished drugs and 80 percent of active pharmaceutical ingredients are manufactured overseas—primarily from China and India. The ongoing global coronavirus outbreak has highlighted broader public health and national security vulnerabilities stemming from our nation’s reliance upon foreign manufacturing and the shortcomings in our regulatory oversight of global supply chains. On February 27, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the first coronavirus-related drug shortage, and on March 10, the FDA halted its routine overseas inspections of drugs and devices.
Products and Technology
Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory Introduces Test for Rapid COVID-19 Detection
Diagnostic Solutions Laboratory (DSL) (@DxSolutionsLab), a high complexity CLIA Certified laboratory specializing in molecular microbiology testing, has developed a test that rapidly detects the SARS—CoV 2 virus that causes (COVID-19). The assay is for use on nasopharyngeal swabs, throat swabs, bronchoalveolar lavages, and bronchial washings. The COVID-19 Assay test is available now and has been submitted to the FDA under Emergency Use Authorization (EAU).
TempTraq® Ready to Support Remote Temperature Monitoring of Coronavirus Patients
With the rapid spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, monitoring temperatures of infected or exposed patients is a major focus for healthcare organizations worldwide. However, with heightened infection control procedures and quarantines, sharing traditional thermometers among multiple patients is difficult. To address this need, Blue Spark Technologies offers TempTraq (@TempTraq): a single-use disposable, temperature monitor in the form of a soft, comfortable patch.
SiriusXM’s Doctor Radio and NYU Langone Health Launch 24/7 Public Service Channel and Phone Line for Coronavirus Information
SiriusXM (@SIRIUSXM), in conjunction with NYU Langone Health, launched a special 24/7 channel dedicated to providing the public with the latest information on the coronavirus outbreak. The channel launched on March 6 and will feature programming from SiriusXM’s Doctor Radio. It is available on both active and inactive SiriusXM radios (channel 121) and is also available on the SiriusXM app and via SiriusXM.com.
Free APIC Text Online Chapter Collection
In response to COVID-19, APIC (@APIC) is providing complimentary access to our new APIC Text Chapter Collection: Outbreak Preparedness and Response, now through Sept 30.
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Cancellations Due to Coronavirus
HIMSS
What: 2020 HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition
When: March 9 – 13, 2020
Where: Washington, D.C.
Gone Digital
AHIP
What: National Health Policy Conference and National Conference on Individual and Small Group Market
When: March 18-20, 2020
Where: Washington, D.C.
CANCELED
AMIA
What: AMIA 2020 Informatics Summit
When: March 23-26, 2020
Where: Houston, Texas
CANCELED
vMed
What: Virtual Medicine ’20
When: March 25-26, 2020
Where: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles
CANCELED
InstaMed
What: InstaMed 2020 Healthcare Payments Summit
When: May 5-6, 2020
Where: Philadelphia PA
CANCELED