The Biden Administration has published a new report outlining federal resources available to healthcare workers who care for patients with lasting effects from COVID-19.
The Department of Health and Human Services released “Services and Supports for Longer-Term Impacts of COVID-19” on Wednesday as part of an action plan launched in April.
Along with supports for patients who have long COVID, the report points healthcare workers to federal clinical care guidance for patients with the condition; federally sponsored educational materials and healthcare delivery systems equipped for treating the condition. It also considers the development of best practices, and describes federal employee assistance programs that support clinical workers.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus’s ability to attack a wide range of organ systems make support and treatment of patients with COVID-19 “exceptionally complex,” the reports’ authors stated. Long COVID creates additional challenges by presenting with an “unusually broad set of symptoms and affects multiple organ systems,” they wrote.
The pandemic also has placed extreme stress on the healthcare workforce, they acknowledged.
“Current shortages of medications, other medical supplies and staffing contribute to high ongoing stress levels in medical workplaces. These multiple factors created a devastating impact on healthcare personnel,” they wrote.
The report was released alongside a national research action plan focused on prevention, diagnosis, treatment and services and supports for patients experiencing long COVID.
“Long COVID can hinder an individual’s ability to work, attend school, participate in community life and engage in everyday activities,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, in a statement. “As our nation continues to make strides in the fight against COVID-19, these reports are critical to shine a light on long COVID’s impact and how to match people to resources.”
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