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COVID-19 Challenges & Solutions

Stay informed with the latest recommendations and information developed and curated by the Heart Rhythm Society's COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Force.

The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving. HRS aims to provide timely and reliable information to help guide electrophysiology patient care and recommend best practices in this complex and challenging time. These COVID-19 Challenges & Solutions resources are intended to provide guidance specifically for the EP community. There will be frequent updates to this page as more information becomes more available. Please be sure to visit this page regularly to stay up to date.

The Society’s COVID-19 initiatives are provided in part by:

Abbott, Biosense Webster, Boston Scientific, Bristol Myers Squibb, Janssen, Medtronic, Pfizer Foundation, Zoll

#COVIDEraEP Twitter Chat

On July 1, 2020, HRS hosted the Twitter chat, “Cardiac EP in the COVID-19 Era: Navigating a New Normal," during which a diverse panel of experts led discussions about how the global EP community can effectively and safely move forward with practice in this COVID-19 era.
Browse the Chat

COVID-19 EP Reboot Guidance Document Jointly Published by HRS, AHA and ACC

The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), with the American Heart Association's (AHA) Electrocardiography and Arrhythmias Committee and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) publish new guidance for clinicians and institutions to reestablish safe electrophysiology care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the Guidance

HRS 2020 Science: A Global Perspective on COVID-19, Cardiac Arrhythmia Characteristics & Management Strategies

Authors of a global survey of 1,100+ arrhythmia professionals, focusing on the arrhythmic manifestations as well as treatment strategies in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, reveal and discuss the results.
Watch the Session

HRS/EHRA/APHRS/LAHRS/ACC/AHA Worldwide Practice Update for Telehealth and Arrhythmia Monitoring

HRS/EHRA/APHRS/LAHRS/ACC/AHA have partnered to address the strategies for telehealth and arrhythmia monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of telehealth applications post pandemic.
Read Guidance

Re-Entry Guidance for Health Care Facilities and Medical Device Representatives

The American Hospital Association leads a joint statement on recommendations for re-entry of medical device representatives. 25 organizations, including the Heart Rhythm Society have signed on in support.
View the guidance

Safe Reintroduction of Cardiovascular Services From North American Society Leadership

Presidents from 15 North American professional societies offer guidance on the reintroduction of cardiovascular services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Authors include HRS Immediate Past-President, Andrea Russo, MD, FHRS, and HRS 2nd Vice President, Andrew Krahn, MD, FHRS.
Learn More

All-Around Perspectives and the Demand for Digital Health Innovations During a Pandemic

Hear from an expert panel representing industry, healthcare providers, and patients. Moderated by Nassir Marrouche, MD, FHRS, Tulane University Medical School, Chair, HRS Digital Health Committee.
Watch the discussion

New American Heart Association® COVID-19 CVD Registry powered by Get With The Guidelines®

As physicians, scientists, and researchers struggle to understand the novel coronavirus pandemic, the American Heart Association (AHA) has developed a COVID-19 CVD Registry to aggregate data and aid research. AHA hopes to gain insight into clinical treatment patterns and variations, including the collection of biomarkers, risk factors and cardiovascular outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Join the Registry

HRS Asks Congress to Support Medical Researchers and Front-Line Workers

HRS sent letters urging Congress to support the research community and front-line workers.
Read more

Local Media Kit for EP Practices: “It’s your health. Don’t hesitate.”

Critical care numbers are down in the U.S., which may be an indication that those in need of care are afraid to visit hospitals during the COVID-19 crisis.
Get Media Kit

CMS Expands Payments for Audio-Only Visits

Following pressure from the medical community, CMS has agreed to allow greater payments for evaluation and management services that are provided only via telephone.
Read More

International Impact Initiatives and COVID-19

Support for the COVID-19 pandemic has been added under the umbrella of the International Impact Initiatives. Learn more about how you can offer support.
Make a donation

FDA Drug Safety Communication re: Hydroxychloroquine/Chloroquine

FDA cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial due to risk of heart rhythm problems
Read Safety Alert

HRS COVID-19 Task Force Update: April 23, 2020

The HRS COVID-19 Task Force addresses issues facing the EP Fellows during the pandemic and its impact on their training, education, certification and redeployment.
Read the Recommendations

Multi-Society Op-Ed Piece

The need to make a declaration. Calling 911 immediately is still your best chance of surviving or saving a life.
READ OP-ED

HRS COVID-19 Task Force Update: April 21, 2020

HRS COVID-19 Task Force provides an update to the April 7 message on QTc Monitoring in COVID-19 patients.
Read Updated Guidance

Patient Infographic: Encourage Patients Not to Delay Medical Care

The American College of Cardiology’s CardioSmart has developed an infographic for healthcare professionals to share with their patients about the importance of seeking medical care for heart attack and stroke symptoms even if they have concerns about COVID-19. This infographic will reassure patients who do not have COVID-19 symptoms that hospitals are taking steps to protect them. It also encourag
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Video Case Discussions Highlighting COVID-19 Guidance

Guidance from ACGME regarding Training Director leeway in management of Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology training requirements.
Watch Case Videos

HRS COVID-19 Task Force Update: April 20, 2020

Guidance from ACGME regarding Training Director leeway in management of Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology training requirements.
Read Letter

CMS Announces 2019 MIPS Relief

CMS announces relief for clinicians and facilities participating in Medicare quality reporting programs in response to COVID-19.
Read More

HRS COVID-19 Task Force Update: April 15, 2020

The Heart Rhythm Society's COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Force provides guidance to healthcare providers for the management of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) during the pandemic with an emphasis on treating patients while limiting exposure to both patients and providers.
Read Guidance

Heart Rhythm Journal Review: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 & Inherited Arrhythmia Syndromes

Review of COVID-19 associated risks and therapeutic considerations for patients with distinct inherited arrhythmia syndromes
Read Article

Heart Rhythm TV COVID-19 Update: From the Front Lines Across Asia

Roderick Tung, MD, FHRS, moderates presentations and panel discussions with EP leaders from Asia and HRS President Andrea M. Russo, MD, FHRS. Presented in partnership with APHRS/CHRS/CHSPE.
Watch Video

HRS COVID-19 Task Force Update: April 10, 2020

To support fellows in the midst of their training during this challenging time, HRS has assembled a curriculum of online education that help them reach their training goals on schedule.
Learn More

Multi-Society Document from HRS/ACC/AHA: Considerations for Drug Interactions on QTc in Exploratory COVID-19 Treatment

Guidance from the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the Heart Rhythm Society
Read Press Release & Guidance

HRS Encourages Payment for Audio Visits

HRS submitted comments on CMS' Interim Final Rule expanding payment for telehealth services. The Society recommends that audio-only visits be billable as evaluation and management services.
Read More

COVID-19 Patient Resources

HRS is providing resources for heart rhythm care professionals to share with their patients. There will be updates to this page as more resources become available. HRS is not endorsing information provided by third parties. and does not receive support to share theses resources.
Learn More

Special EP on EP Episode: QTc Monitoring With Drug Therapy During COVID-19

In this EP on EP episode, Eric N. Prystowsky, MD, FHRS, interviews Michael John Ackerman, MD, PhD to discuss QTc monitoring with drug therapy during COVID-19.”
Watch Video

HRS COVID-19 Task Force Update: April 7, 2020

General guidance for QTc monitoring in COVID-19 patients
Read Guidance

HRS/ACC/AHA COVID-19 Cardiac EP Guidance: Resources & Video Interview

Andrea M. Russo, MD, FHRS; Mina K. Chung, MD, FHRS; Rakesh Gopinathannair, MA, MD, FHRS; Dhanunjaya R. Lakkireddy, MD, FHRS; and Kristen K. Patton, MD, FHRS, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on heart rhythm care and methods of triage.
Watch Video & View Resources

Guidance on Non-Essential & Non-Elective Services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides guidance on cancelled or postponed non-elective services to expand capacity and reduce risk.
Read More

Changes to Scope of Practice & Practice Rules

New CMS waivers and policies related to current regulations giving providers flexibility in addressing patient care and system needs during COVID-19.
Read More

Multi-Society Document from HRS/ACC/AHA: COVID-19 Practice Guidance for Electrophysiologists

Guidance for cardiac electrophysiology during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic from the Heart Rhythm Society COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Force; Electrophysiology Section of the American College of Cardiology; and the Electrocardiography and Arrhythmias Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology, American Heart Association
Read Guidance

Letter to White House Task Force on COVID-19

On April 1, HRS sent a letter to U.S. Vice President Mike Pence urging the White House Task Force on COVID-19 to prioritize protecting healthcare workers in the battle against the spread of the epidemic. The Society urges the Task Force to continue to use all authorization and funding available to ensure production and distribution of medical supplies and equipment, including PPE and ventilators.
Read Letter

Request for Suspension of MOC Requirements Due to COVID-19

Suspension of MOC Requirements Due to COVID-19
Read Memo

HRS COVID-19 Task Force Update: March 27, 2020

HRS COVID-19 Task Force Update: March 27, 2020
Read Recommendations

AMA Releases Special CPT Coding Advice for COVID-19

Coding scenarios designed to help healthcare professionals apply best coding practices during the COVID-19 public health emergency
Read Advice

HRS COVID-19 Task Force Update: March 20, 2020

Recommendations for managing EP procedures and EP clinics
Read Recommendations

COVID-19 Emergency Response Package Letter to the Senate

HRS' letter to Senate Leader Mitch McConnell about phase III COVID-19 emergency response package and needs of patients with heart rhythm disorder
Read Letter

FDA News Release

FDA news release regarding COVID-19 and treating patients with heart rhythm disorders
Read Full Release

Membership Reminder

RENEW MEMBERSHIP