Healthcare Industry Actions to Protect Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic – April 17, 2020

The Healthcare Leadership Council is comprised of leading companies from every sector of American healthcare.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be sharing examples of actions these companies are taking to protect and assist the public and combat the virus’s spread.  If you would like assistance in reaching a representative for any of these companies, please contact Kelly Fernandez at kfernandez@hlc.org.

• Cotiviti, a leading data analytics firm, is utilizing clinical and claims data to create an outbreak tracker which forecasts which geographic areas may be most impacted by COVID-19 in the immediate future. The map, publicly available on the Cotiviti website, forecasts potentially hidden outbreaks that could emerge in the next seven to 10 days.  This information can help decisionmakers in this rapidly changing environment. 

• To better protect patients from COVID-19, Fairview Health Services, a major health system in Minnesota, has transitioned several of its clinics to “virtual first” models, offering 24/7 online support to patients and phone and video connections with their providers to develop and monitor care plans. Fairview also transformed one of its long-term care facilities into the state’s first hospital solely dedicated to treating COVID-19 patients.

• Leidos, a global science and technology company, has been awarded three contracts by the National Institutes of Health, to engage in research on a possible vaccine and treatments for COVID-19. The largest of these contracts will be for a controlled trial of the safety and efficacy of investigational therapeutics for coronavirus treatment.

• SCAN Health Plan, a provider of Medicare Advantage coverage for seniors in California, announced it is committing $5.1 million to address needs of vulnerable older citizens during the COVID-19 crisis. The funds will help provide nutritious meals and essential supplies for seniors in need and deliver critical financial support to non-profit senior-focused organizations and provider groups.

• In an interview with Home Health Care News, Senior Helpers CEO Peter Ross said the COVID-19 crisis has transformed home health providers into first responders. They are likely to be the first to notice changes in a senior citizen’s health as a result of coronavirus.  Senior Helpers if provider personal protective equipment to its caregivers to ensure they can continue providing essential home care to their patients.

• Vizient, a healthcare group purchasing and analytics company, has created a surge demand calculator it is making available to hospitals throughout the United States. The tool will enable hospitals and health systems to project possible ICU bed and ventilator shortages based on modeling of infection rates and success of social distancing measures.