Syneos Health (Nasdaq: SYNH), the only fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions organization, today announced the launch of a Ventilator Initiative. This multi-disciplinary initiative is designed to raise awareness among healthcare providers about a bridging option, using intubated Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) devices for appropriate COVID-19 patients to address the predicted ventilator shortage.

The open access platform www.COVID-BiPAPinfo.com is now live and provides physicians with practical steps and training materials for use of BiPAP with intubated COVID-19 patients suffering respiratory failure.

The ongoing global spread of COVID-19 has resulted in high demand for mechanical ventilators with experts projecting not enough supply for patients in the coming months. As healthcare providers prepare to address this critical need, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidance on March 22, regarding the use of certain devices, including noncontinuous ventilators delivering BiPAP, to treat patients with respiratory insufficiency on an emergency basis.ⁱ 

BiPAP devices are generally available in many hospitals and have the ability to delay or obviate the need for mechanical ventilation. Syneos Health recognized the need to educate frontline healthcare providers with this bridge option. The Company mobilized clinical and commercial leaders from across the organization with infectious disease, respiratory, critical care, and medical education and training expertise to make BiPAP informational and instructional resources available to healthcare professionals.

“Due to the projected critical global shortage of mechanical ventilators to care for critically-ill COVID-19 patients, the medical community urgently needs to know about alternative ventilation options and their use if we are to prevent loss of life,” said Keith Robinson, MD, a Syneos Health Medical Director and Critical Care Pulmonologist. “This BiPAP option needs to be shared with healthcare professionals around the world.”   

“Healthcare systems outside of metropolitan areas may find staff expertise is lacking and will find themselves required to treat outside of their specialty in response to the pandemic,” said Keith Gallagher, FACHE, Vice President, Government and Public Sector at Syneos Health and retired US Army Brigadier General. “This training is vital to support them as they bridge hospital care. We must use every option at our disposal and healthcare providers battling the pandemic must be armed with every bit of practical information and expertise available.”

Skipta, the largest social network of online medical communities, part of Informa Pharma Intelligence, has joined the effort, and will share BiPAP educational materials with their 700,000 strong online healthcare provider social network by launching a new COVID-19 focused physician community platform.

“We recognize the critical need to inform the healthcare professional community of the BiPAP option as a viable solution to deal with ventilator shortages,” said Skipta President, Founder and CEO Theodore Search, PharmD. “Our hope is that by helping to disseminate this information, healthcare professionals will be informed of this option when faced with equipment restraints hindering care.”

“This is an unprecedented time that demands creative solutions, and Syneos Health is committed to contributing in any way we can, including finding innovative ways to help treat those most severely impacted,” said Alistair Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer, Syneos Health. “We applaud the efforts of all of our colleagues and collaborators in this initiative who are raising awareness of this option to help save lives. We hope this effort provides support to those on the frontlines as they deliver care to patients who need it most.”

A white paper, podcast and other education materials are available at www.Covid-BiPAPinfo.com. To join the Skipta network and have access to COVID-19 UNITE, please visit www.skipta.com to find the community relevant to you.