Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources and Special Communications

To meet the surge in COVID-19 cases that hit New York City in March, NYC Health + Hospitals (NYC H+H) established three field hospitals and expanded its capacity across its 11 acute-care facilities, redeploying staff to the areas of greatest need. In a Health Affairs article

Columbia VA Health Care System partnered with the Central South Carolina American Red Cross to conduct blood drives, responding to the need to replenish critically low blood supplies.

Boston Children’s Hospital supports several local health centers to ensure children are vaccinated and distribute food, clothing, books and more to families.

In this podcast, Priya Bathija, a vice president at the AHA, and Carol Vargas, Vice President, Integrated Care and Dr. Sylvia Romm, Chief Innovation Officer, both at Atlantic Health, discuss COVID-19’s impact on telehealth and integrated care.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently updated its FAQs on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act emergency relief fund, with specific attention to provider reporting related to these funds.

COVID-19 has taken a catastrophic financial toll on health care providers, with an estimated $202.6 billion loss between March and June for hospitals alone. This precipitated a sectorwide downgrade by Moody’s and FitchRatings from stable to negative. Innovation within this context may mean more shared-risk opportunities vs. traditional vendorbuyer relationships, notes Andy Shin, chief operating officer for the AHA’s Center for Health Innovation, in a recent blog.

The COVID-19 outbreak has led to process, technology and operational improvements to enhance patient and staff safety, and many of these changes could figure prominently during the next major infectious disease outbreak or pandemic. Other changes requiring more elaborate planning will impact future hospital designs.

Verily Life Sciences, a sister company to Google, has launched a new set of digital tools to help hospitals and health systems provide ondemand and up-to-date COVID-19 information.

The Federal Reserve Board announced it will seek public comments on a proposal to expand its Main Street Lending Program to provide access to credit for nonprofit organizations, including hospitals, a move advocated for by the AHA. The Main Street Lending Program offers loans to small and medium-sized businesses.

The population health team at LifeBridge Health recognized early on the disproportionate impact that COVID-19 would have on vulnerable populations in Greater Baltimore. The team quickly mobilized outreach to people with limited access to health care and programs addressing social needs.

As Central Illinois reopens from the statewide COVID-19 stay-at-home order, the health system is helping its communities do so safely.

A list that represents what actions would be necessary to maintain or extend telehealth flexibilities that were implemented during the COVID-19 public health emergency.