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Key Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode

• Stat News Article: Health care worker suicides hint at COVID-19 mental health crisis to come
• USA Today Article: Coronavirus strains cash-strapped hospitals, could cause up to 100 to close within a year
• Becker's Hospital Review Article: 25 states resuming elective surgeries
• Morning Consult Report: American College of Emergency Physicians COVID-19

Key Takeaways

Addressing the fear of opening up again

• 1/3 of Americans have put off care due to the COVID-19 crisis.
• Patients are going to need multiple reassurances when hospitals open up their doors to minimize the patient's fears. They'll want to know:
  • What are you doing to sanitize?
  • What are you doing for infection control?
• Each health system should conduct local market testing to understand what resonates with the consumers in their community.

The financial reality post-COVID-19

• Health systems should continue to build relationships with Chambers of Commerce and other business-minded organizations at the local level.
• Members of these organizations are vital ambassadors for health systems because:
  • They can provide insight into the economic impact of a health system on a community.
  • They can offer help to employers and find out what they need from their health system.
  • They can talk to elected officials about securing funds for the future.
• Many hospitals and health systems will be vulnerable to acquisitions post-COVID-19.
  • If that's the case, communications and business leaders should begin preparing communications plans to make this challenging announcement.