The World Health Organization is temporarily discontinuing its global study testing the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment, the organization announced May 25 in a news conference, according to The Hill.

As demonstrated by the national responses to COVID-19, alternate sites of care have been essential in assisting with the increased pressure placed on the US healthcare system.1

Optum acquired post-acute care management platform naviHealth, according to a statement Optum provided to Becker's.

Amazon Business has distributed more than 100 million items to healthcare and government organizations through COVID-19 Supplies, a pandemic response effort launched March 31 in the U.S.

As hospitals and outpatient facilities resume surgeries according to federal and state guidelines, ensuring the availability of surgery-critical resources will be top of mind.

High demand for gowns, gloves and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic drove Cardinal Health's sales up 11 percent to $39.2 billion in the quarter ended March 31, Columbus Business First reports.

There are several supply considerations for ASCs and outpatient facilities resuming services during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Infection Control Consulting Services.

Resuming elective surgeries at Minnesota hospitals could strain already limited resources of personal protective equipment, nurses told the StarTribune.

As ASCs begin resuming elective surgeries following the guidelines announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on April 191, patients may have concerns about contamination upon entering a healthcare facility.

Former Cardinal Health CEO Parker Eales is leading a new organization for independent physicians and practices in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C., area, Triangle Business Journal reports.

Seven states in the Northeast U.S. are partnering to buy about $5 billion worth of medical equipment and supplies, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced May 3.

There are currently 109 items listed on the FDA's Drug Shortages list, which ASCs should be mindful of as they reopen centers.

After recommending that hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers postpone surgeries in mid-March in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced guidelines on April 19 that detail how facilities can begin to resume procedures.1

Envision Healthcare's 257 surgery centers are providing staff and supplies to local hospitals as part of the Nashville, Tenn.-based company's efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Logan Goldstein, 12, is selling face masks made by a small business in Livingston, N.J., Camp Stuff 4 Less, and donating the funds to local healthcare facilities, reports tapinto.net.

As some states begin to allow surgeons to perform elective and outpatient surgeries, the supply chain remains a concern for many ASCs.

In the ASC environment, open communication amongst your team and other ASCs in your network is vital for success.

The federal government has unveiled a guide for returning elective procedures, and many states are beginning to loosen bans on elective surgeries. As they do, ASCs are preparing to open up again.

Tom Hui, founder and CEO of ASC software company HST Pathways, spoke to Becker's ASC Review about introducing new software, common missteps in the process and trends that will accelerate ASC adoption of new technology.

The Illinois Department of Health continues to encourage surgery centers, veterinarians and any facility with unused personal protective equipment to donate it to facilities on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic, local news affiliate WAND 17 reports.