Our parent company, HCA Healthcare, has joined forces with 17 large health systems and big tech companies across the U.S. to form a COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition. 

The healthcare coalition will bring together healthcare organizations, technology firms, academia and startups to coordinate pandemic response efforts using data and analytics. 

By pooling expertise, the COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition aims to flatten the pandemic's curve to preserve the healthcare delivery system targeting three main areas:

1. Working to understand the effectiveness of social distancing and other state-level measures to slow the spread of COVID-19

2. Better identifying individuals who need diagnostic tests

3. Aiding America's healthcare delivery system, focusing on staff, capacity and supplies

"With top experts and industry leaders sharing plans and resources – and working collaboratively – we can deploy resources more effectively and offer better situational awareness to those at the front lines," the coalition wrote on its website. 

Click here to learn more. 

When considering personal preparedness, it is important to keep a few points in mind. First, infectious disease experts are emphasizing that coronavirus causes an illness that is similar to the flu. While a vaccine for coronavirus is not expected to be available for at least 12-18 months, everyday habits that protect us from common respiratory illness are even more important now. We all can protect our own health as well as the health of our family members and community by remembering:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue
• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often, using either soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel for at least 20 seconds
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe

When hands are visibly dirty, contaminated or soiled, wash with non-antimicrobial or antimicrobial soap and water. Always wash your hands before eating and after using the restroom.  Use warm water with a nickel to quarter size of liquid soap. Lather, rub all surfaces and under nails. Rub for at least 15 seconds and rinse well. Dry hands with a paper towel, use that towel to turn off faucets and open the door. 

If hands are not visibly soiled, use an alcohol-based hand rub for routinely decontaminating hands. Cover all surfaces until hands feel dry, approximately 20 seconds. After approximately 10 uses, wash your hands with soap and friction. 

For more information on proper hand washing, click here and here.