Let’s Stay Connected: Conferences Going Digital in Light of COVID-19

This past month has brought many new challenges to our country’s health care system due to the coronavirus pandemic, and there is a lot of discussion around what kind of changes need to be implemented to improve both access to quality health care, and patient and community safety as we move through this unprecedented time in our history.

Verisys and its team members were planning to attend several global and national health care conferences this spring to connect with other health care and technology companies and to share innovative ideas around health care improvement across our country.

Global health care change and innovation through information and technology is the mission of HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society), who was one of the first organizations to cancel their global conference earlier this month due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Since then, many more health care conferences and organizations have followed suit and the discussions that were to take place at these events are going virtual.

The first phase of HIMSS20 Digital launched Monday, March 23 within HIMSS.org and is accessible to anyone. The second phase of HIMSS20 Digital will launch on Friday, March 27 within the HIMSS Learning Center and will be accessible to HIMSS20 registrants only. Over the next several weeks more content and on-demand presentations will be added frequently to both of these digital platforms. If you were not registered to attend HIMSS20 in person, you can sign up online to access their full digital offering. Verisys team members plan to take part in this, and other, digital conferences and look forward to staying connected with many of you.

What Health Care Changes are Needed in Light of COVID-19?

Hospitals, health care clinics, and pharmacies are being overwhelmed in areas where the virus has already spread to thousands of individuals. These facilities lack the capacity, equipment, and staff needed to assess and treat COVID-19 patients. This challenge will continue as more cases are identified across our country and more patients require hospitalization and medical care.

The need to quickly bring on additional, part-time, or retired providers, as well as traveling nurses and increased telemedicine providers, pharmacists and pharmacy techs, and lab techs leads to further discussions on improving processes during a health care emergency and the need for expedited onboarding and credentialing procedures for these individuals. The faster organizations can bring on additional staff, the greater the number of patients there are that can be tested and receive the necessary treatment.

Verisys is a Health Care Credentialing Constant Amidst the Coronavirus Storm

Verisys has always been able to deliver provider license verifications and initial screenings in a matter of days. During a global crisis such as the coronavirus pandemic, Verisys can assist you with fast and accurate credentialing, screening, identity matching, and provider licensure. We will check a provider’s license history in surrounding states as modifications have recently been made by CMS to allow for providers to treat patients outside of the state they are licensed in.

Telehealth, or telemedicine, is an ideal way to connect with, assess, and counsel patients without putting either the provider or other staff members at risk of contracting the virus from a patient that could receive treatment at home. Verisys can quickly screen providers to allow them to provide virtual care to individuals across the country.

Locum Tenens can also be quickly screened and licenses verified in order to utilize these additional, traveling providers during the coronavirus pandemic. Expedited credentialing for lab technicians and those administering COVID-19 tests are provided as well. Any additional staff that hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, labs, telehealth companies, or other health care organizations need to bring on board to assist with the pandemic will receive priority credentialing by Verisys.

Coming Together to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19

Getting ahead of the coronavirus will take collaboration and cooperation from organizations across the country coming together to treat those that are affected and to mitigate the spread of the virus further. The mission of Verisys has always been to support health care organizations in fully credentialing their providers, improving overall health care in the U.S., and increasing patient safety. Let us support you in your efforts to combat COVID-19. Working together we can “flatten the curve” and minimize the impact this will have on each of us. To this end we are here to assist you through this uncharted territory: we are all in this together.

Written by Juliette Willard Healthcare Communications Specialist Being creative is my passion! Writer. Painter. Problem Solver. Optimist. Connect with Juliette on LinkedIn