Keystone Today

The American healthcare system is under immense strain.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has stretched hospital staff thin, exhausted medical supplies and significantly disrupted the American economy. 

This unique challenge requires a mobilized response from every aspect of our society, American government, the private sector and everyday citizens. 

The medical device industry is answering the call. We are providing frontline doctors with critical tools to ensure that healthcare providers can correctly diagnose, treat and manage the spread of this deadly virus. 

COVID-19 is not just about the ventilators and the PPEs that you hear about in the news – we are ramping up production of numerous technologies to help inform medical professionals at every stage of care. 

Fast and accurate detection of the virus is the critical first step to stop the spread and identify which patients need treatment. 

The industry is producing millions of tests to detect the virus. 

For example, in early April, Siemens Healthineers released a new molecular test kit that can detect the virus in as little as three hours. 

We are ramping up production as we work with the FDA to fast track release under Emergency Use Authorization. Once a patient has been diagnosed, providers begin the critical process of treating symptoms and monitoring progress. Computer tomography (CT) images are crucial tools that provide high quality images of the lungs and other affected areas. 

This allows physicians to evaluate the spread of COVID and other viral diseases in real time. Many CT machines, including the ones we produce at Siemens Healthineers, are even designed to allow technicians to maintain a 6-foot distance from patients to prevent the spread of infection. 

Ultrasound systems also provide a simple, quick and mobile tool for clinicians to identify and track the spread of the virus. 

The rapid results and portable nature of the machines are critical when providers are triaging patients in hospitals overflowing with COVID cases. 

Patients who have taken a turn for the worse often depend on ventilators to breathe once the virus has filled their lungs with fluid. Blood gas tests play a crucial role as they provide data within a minute about a patient’s oxygenation level, and the data is used to calibrate ventilator machines for the very best possible treatment. 

Late last month, the FDA cleared Siemens Healthineers’ RAPIDPoint® 500e Blood Gas Analyzer for immediate use in ICUs, operating rooms and emergency departments across the country. Unfortunately, as innovative and effective as these medical technologies are in practice, the production and dissemination processes are complex, and the surging demand for them is outpacing the supply. That’s why the medical device industry is collaborating with federal, state, and local officials to ensure maximum coordination in delivering the right products to the right places. 

The medical technology industry is also in direct contact with the hospitals we serve. Field technicians and manufacturing experts are working hand-in-glove with hospital staff to ensure our medical devices remain operational and resources best allocated. At one hospital, our teams ensured that the emergency department had negative air pressure. This innovative solution separates contaminated air from clean air, protecting patients and medical staff from contracting the virus. 

Continued collaboration between the private and public sector, informed by experts and community stakeholders, is more important than ever. In the end, our collective objectives should be to eliminate the threat that COVID-19 presents and strengthen our infrastructure to ensure we never remain as vulnerable as before. America’s doctors, nurses and healthcare workers are risking their safety to fight on the frontlines. 

The entire medical device industry, including Siemens Healthineers, is honored to work with the public sector to provide these heroes with the resources they need to save lives and beat back this deadly virus. 

– David Pacitti is President of Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. and Head of Siemens Healthineers North America.