A Framework for Evidence Synthesis Programs to Respond to a Pandemic

M. Hassan Murad, Tarek Nayfeh, Meritxell Urtecho Suarez, Mohamed O. Seisa, Rami Abd-Rabu, Magdoleen Hassan Eltayeb Farah, Mohammed Firwana, Bashar Hasan, Tabinda Jawaid, Sahrish Shah, Victor Torres Roldan, Larry Prokop, Zhen Wang, Samer Mohir Saadi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic requires making rapid decisions based on sparse and rapidly changing evidence. Evidence synthesis programs conduct systematic reviews for guideline developers, health systems clinicians, and decision-makers that usually take an average 6 to 8 months to complete. We present a framework for evidence synthesis programs to respond to pandemics that has proven feasible and practical during the COVID-19 response in a large multistate health system employing more than 78,000 people. The framework includes four components: an approach for conducting rapid reviews, a repository of rapid reviews, a registry for all original studies about COVID-19, and twice-weekly prioritized update of new evidence sent to key stakeholders. As COVID-19 will not be our last pandemic, we share the details of this framework to allow replication in other institutions and re-implementation in future pandemics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1426-1429
Number of pages4
JournalMayo Clinic proceedings
Volume95
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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