Healthcare Industry Actions to Protect Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic – May 12, 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. 

• A recent episode of the popular Fireside Chat podcast featured Ascension CEO Joseph Impicciche discussing a number of topics including how the Ascension system responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, the heroism displayed by caregivers, the growth of telemedicine, and what the “new normal” will look like in the aftermath of the coronavirus.

• Bristol Myers Squibb has partnered with digital health company GRYT Health to launch the COVID Advocacy Exchange. This virtual platform will bring together patient advocacy organizations, healthcare industry leaders, healthcare practitioners, and policymakers to share information and support patients who have serious illnesses and are simultaneously navigating the coronavirus pandemic.

• Mayo Clinic is partnering with the Society of Critical Care Medicine to create the first COVID-19 global patient registry that will track ICU and hospital care patterns in near real-time. The registry, initially involving approximately 3,400 patients at 110 healthcare sites in eight countries, will generate a database that can be used for comparative effectiveness studies on how to best treat coronavirus patients.

• Merck and the Merck Foundation have committed $10 million in support of COVID-19 relief efforts specifically targeted to addressing health disparities and inequalities among patients and communities. The company will work with external partners to support underserved and vulnerable communities.

• Healthcare improvement company Premier is utilizing analytic technologies to help hospitals predict coming surges in COVID-19 cases and prepare accordingly. The predictive analytics tool is helping hospitals prepare for bed and supply utilization more than two weeks in advance.  With this information, health systems can work with their supply chains to ensure they have the resources to treat a rapidly rising number of patients.

• Medical device manufacturer Stryker has coordinated with the Food and Drug Administration to fast track production of non-sterile hoods and togas that can be used in healthcare environments outside of the operating room. Production is being increased by 40 percent to get needed personal protective equipment to healthcare providers significantly faster.