The Key IT Decisions That Helped Providers Survive April 2020

With Covid-19 cases surging, and little information available about the new coronavirus, providers struggled to stay ahead of the spread. Among the many consequential decisions made during that period were ones related to IT, as the industry rapidly pivoted to digital.

The Seattle-based health system established a more flexible data model to be able to address the needs of both frontline clinicians and researchers. Sharing data and the methods being applied to fight the pandemic helped the health system’s staff be more thoughtful and less reactive when making decisions, Adam Wilcox said.

Further, Montefiore acquired and configured iPads and rolling carts to allow patients to connect with their families. In those early days of the pandemic, visitation was restricted at healthcare facilities to prevent virus spread. This made hospitalization an especially lonely experience for patients, especially those in the intensive care unit.