COVID-19 Report

To Listen

We have compiled a playlist from all our shows and podcasts on our network that discuss the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Products and Technology

CAREMINDr Throws Lifeline to Physician Practices Struggling Due to COVID-19
CAREMINDr, which delivers mobile-enabled remote patient monitoring (mRPM) solutions that give doctors the ability to check in on patients in between face-to-face visits, announced the launch of “RPM Connect,” a turn-key program that offers physicians an off-site administrative and technical support team to launch and sustain mRPM services. The no-upfront-cost program helps generate much-needed monthly reimbursements to sustain medical practice revenues, while also providing better patient care for patients with chronic diseases.

HMS’ Health Engagement Platform Delivers Multi-Channel COVID-19 Communications To Over 7 Million Americans
HMS (@hmshealthcare), a provider of payment accuracy and population health management solutions, has developed a unique COVID-19 health engagement and communications solution that has reached over 7 million individuals since its launch in March. As consumers continue to adapt to unforeseen circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic, proactive outreach from health plans, government agencies and employers is critical to ensure that individuals and families are staying safe and healthy, both physically and mentally, and are aware of available pandemic resources.

News and Noted

SPH Analytics National Study on Patient Experience with Telehealth Finds Significant Shift in Attitudes/Behaviors During Height of Pandemic
SPH Analytics (@SPHAnalytics), a healthcare analytics and population health management company, surveyed consumers regarding their level of engagement with their healthcare just prior to the World Health Organization declaration of the Coronavirus pandemic on March 11 and continued post declaration through June 17. The survey began just as the virus emerged in the United States[1] and spanned to also cover the early stages of states’ reopening. Results of patients’ reception to, willingness for and actual usage of virtual provider visits highlight the opportunities for providers and health plans alike to meet new consumer demands while simultaneously improving their quality and experience metrics.

Hospitals See First Signs of Financial Recovery Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, but Overall Performance Remains Well Below 2019 Levels
According to the June issue of Kaufman Hall’s National Hospital Flash Report, hospitals and health systems across the country began to see signs of financial improvement in May following two brutal months of poor margin, volume, and revenue performance caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Survey Reveals Patients Have Been Overwhelmingly Satisfied with Virtual Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Want Greater Access to it in the Future
Kyruus (@kyruus) announced findings from a survey of 1,000 patients about their virtual care experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings, published in the Patient Perspectives on Virtual Care report, reveal that nearly three-quarters of respondents engaged in their first virtual care visit ever during the initial surge of COVID-19 cases in the United States and over 75% were very or completely satisfied with their experiences with virtual care. However, the results also suggest that healthcare organizations have an opportunity to enhance patient experience, acquisition, and retention by making virtual care scheduling and follow-up more seamless.

HID Global Empowers Workplaces to Safely Reopen by Automating Employee Social Distancing and Contact Tracing
As organizations around the world resume operations, new requirements for creating a safe workplace for employees are driving the need to automate approaches to manage employee social distancing and conduct contact tracing. HID Global (@HIDGlobal), a trusted identity solutions company, announced landmark additions to its HID Location Services IoT ecosystem that simplify and streamline managing these protocols, and drive compliance to federal, state and local requirements to help prevent workplace exposure to COVID-19.

HMMC launches COVID-19 product exchange site for health-care providers and suppliers
HMMC, the Healthcare Manufacturers Management Council, a U.S. trade association whose members are U.S. manufacturers of a wide variety of healthcare products, announced the launch of their COVID-19 Product Exchange site.

Vibrent Health Innovates Rapid Deployment Solution for COVID-19 Survey, Scaled to
Health technology organization Vibrent Health (@VibrentHealth), which serves as the Participant Technology Systems Center for National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program, responded to the program’s urgent need to gather data during the current pandemic by rapidly developing and deploying a COvid-19 Participant Experience (COPE) Survey, sent to more than 325,000 participants in the program.

Vaccine News:

Avalon GloboCare Achieves Milestones in Advancing Novel Intranasal and Oral COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate
Avalon GloboCare Corp., a clinical-stage global developer of cell-based technologies and therapeutics, announced a strategic partnership with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna, Austria to develop an S-layer vaccine that can be administered by an intranasal or oral route against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 disease.

To Read

New report shows how COVID-19 could impact tech in healthcare – A new report released from the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center and Working Partnerships USA shows how technology is likely to impact job quality in healthcare and suggests that technological adoption may accelerate as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

How Mis- And Disinformation Campaigns Online Kneecap Coronavirus Response – by Shefali Luthra (@Shefalil), Kaiser Health News (@KHNews) – Regina Fargis didn’t know what to do. Fargis runs Summit Hills — a health and retirement community in Spartanburg, South Carolina, that offers skilled nursing, activities and communal meals for its residents, most of whom are over 60, the highest-risk category for coronavirus complications. In South Carolina, more than a hundred new cases were emerging daily. So she took precautions: no visitors, hand sanitizer everywhere and regular reminders for residents about the importance of social distancing. For a time, it worked. Many similar facilities were hit hard by the virus, but Summit Hills remained COVID-free. Summit Hills’ first cases didn’t emerge until mid-June. Three residents and four employees have now tested positive and are being quarantined. For months, though, Fargis was able to protect her residents.

Watch: Fauci, Other Health Officials Weigh California’s COVID Response – from Kaiser Health News (@KHNews) – Samantha Young, California Healthline’s California politics correspondent, helped moderate a discussion hosted by the Sacramento Press Club about California’s response to the coronavirus crisis. The discussion touched on the reopening of the economy, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order requiring Californians to wear face coverings and whether hospitals are ready to handle a surge in cases as infections continue to rise statewide. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading public health voice on the COVID-19 pandemic, kicked off the event, with praise for the state’s approach.

Events

Physicians’ Reciprocal Insurers (PRI)
What: COVID-19 Physician Peer Support
When: Mondays 8:00 p ET; Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:30 – 6:30 pm ET
Register for Monday Groups
Register for Tuesday & Thursday Groups
Twitter@PRI_Insurance

COVID-19 Physician Peer Support – PRI has multiple weekly complimentary Virtual Support Groups on Coping with COVID-19 which your fellow physicians have been utilizing and finding great comfort and support from.

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The CDC is the front line for our safety and information on the Coronavirus. Keep informed about COVID-19. Sign up to get emails or text alerts from the CDC.

COVID-19 Resources
HealthcareNOW Radio rounded up some health IT resources being offered by companies to help healthcare professionals, American citizens and all of those affected in the fight against the coronavirus.

Canceled/Rescheduled Due to Coronavirus

Patient Experience Symposium
What: Patient Experience Symposium 2020
When: September 30 – October 2, 2020
Where: BOSTON, MA
Rescheduled