HHS issues guidance on non-invasive resuscitation therapy for COVID-19 patients

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response has released guidance on considerations for health care providers exploring high-flow nasal cannula therapy, a less-invasive oxygen therapy than mechanical ventilation that has shown clinically useful in treating severe and critical COVID-19 patients.

ASPR is procuring 30,000 high-flow nasal cannula kits for the Strategic National Stockpile, which the agency will pair with the stockpile’s 30,000 GM/Ventec V+Pro ventilators to provide this type of therapy. Health care facilities needing the equipment should work through their public health officials to request federal assistance from the SNS through the normal processes, the agency said. If the request is approved, ASPR will direct the SNS to deploy the needed supplies to the public health authority, which is responsible for distributing it to facilities in need.