COVID-19

The pandemic has pushed us to innovate farther and faster, with unprecedented reliance on telehealth and virtual care. Recent data shows 88% of Americans hope to use virtual care beyond the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic up-ended healthcare in America; however, looking beyond the Herculean efforts of caregivers during this battle, we know there are lessons on how we should deliver healthcare.

Learnings from COVID-19 must drive major changes in health care delivery, according to interviews with physician leaders of the leading multi-specialty groups and health systems participating in CAPP.

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended health care in America. The 31 multi-specialty medical groups that are part of the CAPP are at the forefront of the battle for their patients’ lives.

Stephen Parodi, MD, chair of the CAPP, and national infectious disease leader for Kaiser Permanente, commented in FierceHealthcare on Kaiser Permanente’s multipronged COVID-19 suppression strategy.

Harvard researchers found that, early in the pandemic, visits to ambulatory care practices declined 60%. Recently, the same sources indicate visits have rebounded but remain below pre-pandemic rates.

The relaxation of federal rules around telehealth have made it possible for medical groups and health systems to bring vitally needed medical attention to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sharp Rees-Stealy swung into action during the pandemic, ensuring those who might be infected with COVID-19 could be seen and treated safely, and providing a safe environment for routine patient care.

Michigan’s Henry Ford Health System has successfully deployed virtual health during the COVID-19 crisis, providing a model for other organizations to maximize their telehealth/telemedicine programs.

In March 2020, as epidemiologists were predicting surging cases of COVID-19 illness, a host of regulatory barriers were removed to enable the delivery of care outside acute care hospital settings.