On Mar. 27, 2020, Medtronic announced its Medtronic Care Management Services (MCMS) business had launched two new solutions designed to help assess, monitor, and triage support for patients who may be concerned about COVID-19 and their respiratory symptoms.

It had already launched its new Respiratory Infectious Disease Health Check to existing MCMS customers, and launched a new COVID-19 Virtual Care Evaluation and Monitoring solution available to U.S. health systems, health plans and employers.

The Respiratory Infectious Disease Health Check for existing MCMS customers is an included add-on to all current care management programs. The Respiratory Infectious Disease Health Check helps patients with chronic, co-morbid health conditions who are at the highest risk for complications or mortality associated with COVID-19 track their respiratory infectious disease symptoms and body temperature through daily health checks. The program reacts dynamically during the health check to present symptom questions based on the patient’s previous responses, and provides patient education to encourage and support self-care. Data is aggregated for clinician review and action if additional intervention is needed.

For health systems, health plans and other employers new to MCMS programs, the company is launching a stand-alone assessment and monitoring service. The COVID-19 Virtual Care Evaluation and Monitoring solution uses a virtual assistant to evaluate patients through a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guideline-based survey for COVID-19 symptoms.

If the user’s symptoms warrant it, the solution connects them to the MCMS nurse command center, where registered nurses review the patient’s data and either identify recommendations or the need for additional care assessment, based on the CDC guidelines. This could include a recommendation to continue monitoring symptoms at home, or to contact a healthcare provider directly.