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In a recent study, pediatric clinicians referenced patient demand as the number-one factor driving increased use of telemedicine.

In February, Qantas completed a trial run of the CommonPass Digital Health app on an international repatriation flight from Frankfurt to Darwin. Through the use of this app, health or border officials and airline staff will be able to easily verify COVID-19 test results and vaccination history of an individual.  The app links customers with certified testing labs to allow their results to be automatically uploaded onto it. In accordance with stipulations made by the federal government, customers would have to first show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result to board repatriation flights on Qantas.  Stephanie Tully, Qantas Group’s Chief Customer Officer said, “We want to get our international flights back in the air and our people back to work, and a digital health pass will be a key part of that.” WHY IT MATTERS As mass vaccination programmes are being rolled out globally, vaccine passports have become a major topic of discussion. Countries will need to look at convenient and secure ways for verifying COVID-19 test results and vaccination information at airports and borders. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also called for a “global standard to securely record digital proof of vaccination”.   THE LARGER TREND Similar digital solutions are being developed in several other countries around the world to enable travel again. For instance, travellers from Singapore will receive a notarized certificate following a negative COVID-19 test that they can present at airports around the world. Another example is France taking part in a month-long trial of a vaccine passport that leverages a smart phone app.  ON THE RECORD Tully added, “COVID test results and proof of vaccine will be required in many countries for quarantine-free travel, just as it has been for polio and yellow fever vaccinations in the past. Ultimately, we’re focused on ensuring that the process will be as seamless as possible for our customers to share this information so they can travel internationally again.” Paul Meyer, CEO of The Commons Project Foundation, shared, “As we initiate the upcoming trials with Qantas, we aim to provide Australians with a secure, private and trusted experience as they return to their home country.” 

The product reportedly incorporates lessons learned from the company's initial offering, which ran into high-profile hurdles.

As CMS signals longer-term changes in acute RPM reimbursement and Amazon teams with major providers to push for new policies, clinical and IT leaders should start planning ahead, says one expert. "Everyone has to be thinking about this."

The prototype has cameras and a display screen as well as a waterproof box that can deliver medical supplies or collect tests.

In two years, the organization eliminated 517 avoidable days monthly, reduced length of stay by six hours on average per patient, and eliminated 200 hours of data collection per week.

UK Emergency Department survey shows poor usability for major EHRs, with NHS CCIO saying ‘too little has changed’ in 15 years.

A study conducted in December 2020 by TheCareSide, a home healthcare provider in Australia, found that a majority of the respondents anticipated receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The survey saw 1122 Australians being interviewed to find out more about acceptance levels of the COVID-19 vaccine among the general public in Australia, with 69% of them interested in getting vaccinated. “Our research suggests the country is in a strong position as the vaccines roll out. The overwhelming majority of Australians plan to get vaccinated and believe the national government has done a good job of managing the pandemic so far. This is good news for the whole country, but especially for the elderly and other vulnerable groups. The government's ongoing communication strategy will be critical to ensure that there's trust in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines,” said Gareth Mahon, CEO of CareSide. WHY IT MATTERS The elderly expressed the most interest in getting inoculated, with more than three out of four of them planning to do so. Young adults aged between 18 and 39 also demonstrated similar levels of interest, with 71% of them planning to receive the vaccine. For respondents aged 40-64 years old, the results indicated that only 57% of them wanted to receive the vaccine. In addition to the Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccines which have been officially approved for use in Australia in February 2021, ten other vaccines have also been approved globally. Australia has also fared relatively well in comparison to the majority of other developed countries, with only 29,000 diagnosed cases and 900 deaths in total so far. 79% of the participants also felt that the steps taken by the Australian government were effective in the handling of the COVID-19 situation. This sentiment was similar across all the ages groups – with 79% of those aged 18-39, 80% of those aged 40-64 and 73% of those 65 and older in agreement. THE LARGER TREND In a poll conducted by the University of Michigan during the final months of 2020, the results showed that nearly half of the older adults indicated that they were unsure about receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. However, in a subsequent poll, there was a huge shift in their attitudes, with 71% of respondents aged 50 and above indicating that they are willing to be inoculated. The results are consistent with the survey conducted by The CareSide, with older persons being more receptive to the vaccine as they are the most vulnerable to it. ON THE RECORD “Overcoming a global pandemic is as once in a generation challenge. It requires leadership at the macro level from the Australian government and international organizations like the WHO. But that alone isn't enough. It necessitates a community-wide effort from schools, local businesses, and volunteers. We all play a role – Australians have committed to prioritizing each others’ well-being over the last year,” said Gareth.

The programme aims to invest €5.1bn in EU countries, health organisations and NGOs to boost innovation and build the resilience of health systems.

The announcement follows reports of problems with the new Cerner system at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane.