The term 'global catastrophe' was once limited to century-old wars. Today, thanks to the pandemic of COVID-19, it is a daily headline. The invisible virus wages a war against humanity. At the same time, face masks sit on chins, and social distancing rules are flouted. But a small group of healthcare innovators are joining hands to save humanity. 

It may seem difficult to imagine a reliable treatment for COVID-19. Though many medicines were fabled to treat the virus, failure was imminent. It was time for human ingenuity had to step in. Today, we discuss the medical innovations that are saving lives.

Makeshift Excellence

For the first time in a century, a global pandemic shocked the world. As a result, the healthcare system is choked and its personnel are fatigued. Responses to the pandemic, however, have been nothing short of genius. 

• Drive-up pharmacies have sprung up across the country. These institutions help limit contact. At the same time, they ensure the same quality of healthcare delivery. 
• Drive-up immunization clinics provide vaccines for many diseases. Across the world, they help compromised patients fight other illnesses. 
• Personal Protection Equipment is now manufactured on a vast scale. Demand has urged even automobile manufacturing plants into action. 
• Another innovation is the in-hospital isolation shelter. Here, the homeless can await their COVID-19 results.
• Baby monitors and mechanical ventilators have been repurposed. Their application in hospitals and clinics have saved countless lives.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Race

Vaccine development is progressing at a scale never seen before. Due to randomized trials, vaccines take up to a decade to be developed. However, multiple organizations have invested billions to speed up this process. This is done by combining different phases of vaccine development. Current estimates predict an end-of-year or early-2021 release. The greatest challenge will be manufacturing the vaccine on a large scale. Scientists are now looking into licensing multiple vaccines at the same time. However, meeting safety and effectiveness standards will be difficult.

Telehealth

The remote healthcare industry has been growing steadily since 2014. Demand for telehealth skyrocketed in March 2020. As a result, the industry itself has improved to accommodate demand. 

• Remote inpatient consultations are available on most doctor portals. Online scheduling is emphasized over walk-in appointments. 
• Many manual scheduling and registration processes are now digitized. 

These improvements will sustain themselves much longer than the pandemic itself.

Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis

• Digital platforms in healthcare are now adopting the IoT model. Internet-of-Things allows nearby machines to be wirelessly connected. This helps improve overall coordination and management of patient care. 
• Artificial intelligence has also played a large role in the pandemic. Physicians now use improved diagnostic tools to provide better care. Chatbots on many hospital portals provide personalized care. This helps avoid in-person visits and contact. 
• Data analysis has helped hospitals predict COVID-19 cases. AI translates this valuable information to help manage patient inflow. Business intelligence helps with decisions on personnel management. 
• Large hospitals are migrating to cloud-based and digital storage models. These models are much more adaptable to changing business structures. Such changes will be prevalent in the wake of COVID-19.

The urgency to save lives has made healthcare luxuries into necessities. These innovations have helped our odds against COVID-19. However, it is very important to not grow complacent.  The sheer will and intelligence of healthcare workers improved the system in a matter of months. Post the pandemic, this very ingenuity can help innovation grow. Aiding the progress of an ailing healthcare system is necessary to prevent another catastrophe.