Medtronic: When Distance Drives Discovery

The pandemic didn’t force us to reimagine patient care. That was always the plan.
Aug 19, 2020 3:00 PM ET

Medtronic: When Distance Drives Discovery

At the turn of the 20th century, doctors lacked the basic tools to see inside the human body. Today, a wireless, battery-powered pacemaker the size of a large vitamin can be implanted directly inside a patient's heart. For decades, we have overcome obstacles to ensure patients get the care they need. Now, the coronavirus has created an entirely new set of challenges. We have a choice: Run from the challenge or be part of the solution.  

The coronavirus spares no one, not even our bravest men and women — military veterans. When COVID-19 hit the United States, Medtronic quickly developed new remote monitoring solutions — based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for COVID-19 — for patients served by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Home Telehealth program. Once the solution was in place at the VA, Medtronic rolled out a similar offering for other hospital systems and even its own employees.

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