Like it or not, COVID-19 is still here. And with numbers spiking in various parts of the country, it’s clear that it’s not going away. The matter has potential to get even more complicated as cold and flu season arrives this winter.
But healthcare professionals are keeping up the good fight, as they have been this entire time. And there are more options for treating and preventing COVID-19 than ever before. Let’s take a look at some innovative approaches for fighting the coronavirus:
Innovative Medical Approaches
Right now, the Cleveland Clinic is involved in several clinical trials aimed at treating COVID-19 and the symptoms it causes. A few examples include:
- COVIDAtoZ – This trial is studying the effects of high-dose vitamin C and zinc in outpatient COVID patients.
- MSCs in COVID-19 ARDS – Evidence has shown that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can counteract the inflammatory process in the lungs of COVID-19 patients, thereby increasing survival rates in cases of COVID-19-induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
- ALI study – This study is evaluating the safety and tolerability of a dose of the drug VIB7734 when used to treat COVID-19 patients with Acute Lung Injury (ALI).
At the time of this writing, the Food and Drug Administration has approved one drug to treat COVID-19: Remdesivir, an antiviral medication. And the steroid Dexamethasone is often recommended for patients with severe cases of COVID-19, especially those who need supplemental oxygen.
Changes in Hospitals
Hospitals and healthcare facilities have, of course, adapted to the new normal in their own ways as they continue to treat COVID-19 patients. Take UW Medicine’s Northwest campus in Seattle, Washington, for example. Their unique approach implemented all the way back in the spring, involves designating “hot zones” where PPE is required at all times, and “cold zones” where it isn’t. They’ve also implemented negative airflow on all COVID-19 floors, preventing the spread of aerosols in those areas. Nurses are even using baby monitors to monitor hot-zone patients while the nurses themselves are in the cold zone.
Vaccination on the Horizon
In early November 2020, Pfizer Inc announced that their experimental COVID-19 vaccine was more than 90% effective based on initial trial results. If the vaccine is approved, the company estimates that they could roll out 50 million doses in the remainder of 2020 and as much as 1.3 billion doses next year. While it remains to be seen what will come of it, it could be the first step toward a widespread vaccination protocol — and, ultimately, putting COVID-19 behind us.
The Fight Continues
For now, nurses, hospital administrators, and other healthcare professionals will continue to fight tirelessly against COVID-19. Collectively, we look toward a future in which the innovative changes and hard work of healthcare workers pays off.
Does your medical facility need help with staffing? That’s where we come in. Contact BOS Medical right away.
