1. What is the decision or change (e.g. clinical topic, practice guideline, system design, delivery of care) you are facing or struggling with where a summary of the evidence would be helpful?
Question: What is the effectiveness of treatments for post-acute COVID sequalae (PASC) in the adult and pediatric populations on outcomes such as morbidity, mortality, quality of life, and health care utilization?
Population: Children, adolescents and adults with a prior COVID-19 diagnosis presenting with lingering symptoms > 4 weeks after resolution of acute disease.
Intervention and Comparator: therapeutic treatment that manages PASC symptoms and comorbidities with continued follow-up vs. standard care.
Outcomes:
Provider outcomes (e.g., satisfaction)
Patient outcomes (e.g., quality of life, mortality, morbidity, health care utilization)
individual and institutional costs (e.g., patient, provider and health system)
2. Why are you struggling with this issue?
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues globally, there is increasing need to understand the disease spectrum and strategize for long-term patient management. While many patients diagnosed with COVID-19 see their symptoms resolve after the acute phase, emerging data describes a subgroup of patients with a prolonged course of symptoms lasting several weeks to months. As we attempt to better understand PASC symptoms, prognosis, risk factors, and treatment, variation exists throughout the organization in the provision of health care for adult and pediatric cases. As a living PASC systematic evidence review does not currently exist, a rigorous evidence product developed by the EPC will assist us in identifying effective treatments that can be provided within our health care delivery system and ultimately meet the health needs of our members with PASC.
3. What do you want to see changed? How will you know that your issue is improving or has been addressed?
As a national organization that provides healthcare to 12.6 million members including adults, children and adolescents, Kaiser Permanente strives to develop and refine evidence-based practices to ensure the delivery of efficient and effective health care to all its members. In this case, findings from a rigorous EPC systematic review on this topic can be used to better understand PASC symptoms, risk factors and prognosis and identify effective treatments to help standardize the provision of care within the organization for these patients.
4. When do you need the evidence report?
Fri, 06/30/2023
5. What will you do with the evidence report?
Findings from this evidence review will be used to inform health care decisions and to develop national guidance for adults and pediatric patients. National COVID-19 and preliminary PASC guidance products are already circulated and shared throughout the organization with clinicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other health care professionals.
Optional Information About You
What is your role or perspective? Physician
If you are you making a suggestion on behalf of an organization, please state the name of the organization Kaiser Permanente
May we contact you if we have questions about your nomination? Yes
