As COVID-19 surges in the United States and around the world, health officials are responding with stern warnings, more testing and cutbacks on closings. While some nations have virtually stopped the spread within their country, MedTech prepares for a post-COVID world and how the virus and the response to it will reshape the industry.
The following is a small sampling of the COVID-19 updates compiled, reviewed and posted in real-time by our SmartTRAK analysts, who are constantly monitoring the situation and sifting through the noise to present the most relevant news to our subscribers:
A statistical analysis study concluded elective procedure deferment during the COVID-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on the US healthcare system and could result in a cumulative backlog of > 1MM ortho surgical cases at 2 years after the end of surgery deferment. JBJS
A report w/ the title of ”Getting the NHS back on track: planning for the next phase of COVID-19” was published in the UK by the NHS Confederation. The paper talks about the 7 challenges of the health care system when restarting the health care services in the UK.
Canaccord feels SNN’s Q220 preliminary results suggest better-than-expected improvements and an upside to H220 estimates. Canaccord feels US states/health systems are better positioned to handle COVID cases and doesn’t expect widespread elective procedure restrictions.
With COVID cases surging in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott extended the ban on elective procedures to 4 more counties in South Texas bringing the number of counties under the ban to 8 statewide. Counties added include Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces and Webb. Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Physicians from several specialties participating in SVB Leerink’s virtual MD Day indicated hip and knee procedures may be rebounding more quickly than others now at 80-90% of pre-COVID levels w/ an estimated 10-15% to be delayed until 2021. SVBLeerink Med Device Flash Note
The National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) in the US published a summary of links to COVID-19 related resources for Pressure Injury Prevention, including device-related injuries, how to prevent injuries when pts are placed in a prone position, etc.
Wells Fargo reports elective procedures overall for the week ending June 12 were down 32% vs pre-COVID levels w/ in-person pts visits down 24%, a leading indicator of future procedure volumes. WFS: Recovery Progressing At More Gradual Rate
Study Suggests COVID-19 is Independent Risk Factor for AISCOVID-19 infection is significantly associated w/ imaging confirmation of AIS concluded a retrospective case-control study at 6 hospitals across NYC btwn 3/16/20 and 4/5/20. Researchers recommend that COVID-19 pts should undergo more aggressive monitoring for stroke. AJNR
Once the PHE expires, FDA can no longer authorize emergency use of COVID-19 diagnostics and treatments via expedited premarket review, offer payment parity for telehealth services under Medicare or allow hospitals to add beds w/o a lengthy permitting process.
A study assessed the DVT Incidence and risk factors in critically ill pts w/ COVID-19. The study found a high incidence of DVT despite the use of pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis. The study suggested more effective VTE prevention and management strategies may be needed. JTT
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