‘Twindemic’, the term experts are using for what the flu season could look like during a global pandemic. The potential impact of these two viruses could be detrimental for health systems if virtual care isn’t optimized for treatment and limitation of in-clinic exposure.
A bad flu season can be a major burden on clinical capacity, and that’s without the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Layer in a sharp uptick in patients from COVID-19, and we could be facing a big problem across the country. At this point in the pandemic, we know the value of virtual care when it comes to triaging and treating patients. But, what about testing? How can we seamlessly go from a virtual visit to an in-person test for flu or COVID-19?
In 2019, there were 1,195 ZipTickets ‘activated’ (used) by patients. Now compare that to the 113,000 ZipTickets to date in 2020—COVID-19 has brought a huge increase in demand for testing. Now with the flu season upon us, many patients (depending on the similarity of symptoms) will likely require both a COVID-19 test and flu test in one visit to the clinic or lab. With ZipTicket, we take the patient from a virtual visit, right to the lab.
The seamless workflow reduces the number of touchpoints a sick patient has and is the fastest, most efficient way to get tested. It simplifies the experience for the patient, increases efficiency for the clinic, and ultimately helps keep exposure to a minimum.
No one can predict what will happen with COVID-19, but there is one thing that is certain. Another viral wave is coming, and it’s flu season. With a possible ‘twindemic’ on the horizon, health systems must start thinking ahead and be prepared for what the future of this flu season could look like.
