Telemedicine was in the spotlight as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relaxed regulations that had limited application of teleservices throughout the country. Many hospitals quickly engaged telemedicine services to connect providers with patients and families. Now, with the initial surge a few months past, healthcare analysts are assessing the lessons learned.

Funds provided to hospitals through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act require careful compliance efforts to avoid substantial liability. The money comes with many strings attached.

Telemedicine has rapidly transformed healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, but innovative reimbursement models and updated privacy regulations are needed to ensure widespread implementation of high-quality digital care.

The COVID-19 pandemic is raising profound ethical questions, including whether different socioeconomic groups and rural facilities are receiving equitable care and resources as their better-positioned counterparts.

Hospital case management changed dramatically in the spring. Health systems began implementing far-reaching infection prevention measures and changed some operations to accommodate expected surges in patients with COVID-19. Social distancing is one of the most important ways to protect hospitals and public health, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Two different national surveys have found widespread shortages of personal protective equipment and other critical hospital supplies as the United States battles the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the world.