On Mar. 27, 2020, Syneos Health announced the launch of a Ventilator Initiative. This multi-disciplinary initiative is designed to raise awareness among healthcare providers about a bridging option, using intubated Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) devices for appropriate COVID-19 patients to address the predicted ventilator shortage.

The ongoing global spread of COVID-19 has resulted in high demand for mechanical ventilators with experts projecting not enough supply for patients in the coming months. As healthcare providers prepare to address this critical need, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidance on March 22, regarding the use of certain devices, including noncontinuous ventilators delivering BiPAP, to treat patients with respiratory insufficiency on an emergency basis.

BiPAP devices are generally available in many hospitals and have the ability to delay or obviate the need for mechanical ventilation. Syneos Health recognized the need to educate frontline healthcare providers with this bridge option.

The Company mobilized clinical and commercial leaders from across the organization with infectious disease, respiratory, critical care, and medical education and training expertise to make BiPAP informational and instructional resources available to healthcare professionals.

Skipta, the largest social network of online medical communities, part of Informa Pharma Intelligence, has joined the effort, and will share BiPAP educational materials with their 700,000 strong online healthcare provider social network by launching a new COVID-19 focused physician community platform.