Gretchen Cuda Kroen

Until a few weeks ago, telemedicine was primarily seen as a means to improve access to specialty care, reduce healthcare costs and boost patient engagement. And while it has certainly gained traction over the last several years, it still accounted for an extremely small number of total patient encounters, was largely seen as adjunct to traditional in-person clinical care, and restrictions by payers made reimbursements difficult. Combined, these factors largely curtailed the widespread adoption of the virtual practice model. And then came the Coronavirus. 

For patients in need of surgery, theres one more way the Coronavirus pandemic may affect them —a shortage of blood.

Patients with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer and diabetes are at increased risk for contracting COVID-19 and have a worse prognosis, said the American College of Cardiology in a clinical bulletin released March 6.