Sanjay R. Bhagani, BSc (Hons), MB ChB, FRCP - Improving Outcomes for Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: Expert Perspectives on Incorporating the Latest Guidelines and Evidence Into Clinical Practice

Go online to PeerView.com/SRU860 to view the activity, download slides and practice aids, and complete the post-test to earn credit. Despite the availability of testing, vaccines, and treatments, COVID-19 remains a threat—no one can predict when a new strain might surface and many questions remain. The virus that causes COVID-19 is designated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection ranges from asymptomatic to critical and fatal illness. Most symptomatic infections are mild; however, a significant number of patients have severe disease requiring hospitalization. Hospitalization and death are more likely in high-risk populations, including older people, individuals with underlying medical problems, and those affected by systemic health and social inequities (ie, minorities, immigrant populations, people of low socioeconomic status, and the disabled). Therapies such as antiviral agents and monoclonal antibodies are available in the United States and Europe for the treatment of COVID-19; however, there are challenges with determining which hospitalized patients may be best suited for which treatment. In this activity, based on a recent live web broadcast, a panel of experts explores strategies to improve outcomes for COVID-19 in the hospital setting, with a focus on designing individualized treatment plans based on current guidelines, evolving evidence, and patient-specific factors. The panel also discusses how differences in drug access and treatment protocols impact the healthcare team in regards to providing individualized treatment programs for patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to: Assess patients with COVID-19 to make appropriate treatment recommendations based on disease severity; Differentiate therapies for COVID-19 based on the latest safety and efficacy data from clinical trials; Collaborate with the healthcare team to design timely and individualized treatment plans for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 disease based on current guidelines, evolving evidence, and patient-specific factors; and Discuss the clinical implications of prolonged/persistent viral replication in severe COVID-19