Season 1 - Episode 5: COVID - 19 Interventional Radiology Innovation

In this episode of GuideWire, Devin Hubbard and Gabe Li with FastTraCS, along with Dr. Jon Martin from Duke University, discuss unintended and unseen consequences and effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on interventional radiology (IR) practice.

Today’s Topics Include: 

• COVID-19: Heterogeneous effect on IR practice both nationally and internationally
• IR Practice: Encompasses 80 minimally invasive procedures
• Procedure Volume: Elective procedures deferred, but emergent/urgent cases continued
• Outpatient Procedures: Performed without general anesthesia or admission to hospital
• COVID Concerns: People who need care stay at home instead of going to hospital
• COVID: IR innovation shifts from what can be done to how to protect patients/providers
• Regulatory Pathways: Routes remain to get products on the market
• Risk/Benefit Analysis: IR indications and procedures depend on situation/circumstances
• Infection Control Challenges: Tech equipment performance not functioning correctly
• IR Options: Half-staff with tiered responsibility, telehealth, and education/information
• IR Specialty: Opportunity to improve and increase public awareness of procedures
• Recommendations: Room for improvement in IR practice by adapting to new paradigm
• COVID Response: Share experiences for improved prep/planning to address necessities
• Ideal IR: Lightweight, flawless, seamlessly integrated augmented reality glasses that respond to voice commands

Links and Resources:

Devin Hubbard

Gabe Li

Dr. Jon Martin

FastTraCS

GuideWire Podcast on Twitter

GuideWire Podcast

Quotes:

“There’s been a really heterogeneous effect on the practice of interventional radiology.” - Dr. Jon Martin

“The impact of COVID really depends on what category of procedure we’re talking about.” Dr. Jon Martin

“There’s people and individuals that have unstable conditions that may not show up to the hospital when they need to.” - Devin Hubbard

“With COVID-19, there may be some more thinking about approaching things from a societal level and what’s sort of the greatest good for the greatest number.” - Dr. Jon Martin