CADTH Weekly COVID-19 Update

CADTH is committed to supporting Canada’s health care decision-makers through this challenging and uncertain time.

We’ve collected relevant information about COVID-19 from CADTH and other respected organizations, and published it on our CADTH COVID-19 web portal. The information on this site is being updated daily to reflect the rapidly changing and growing state of the international scientific evidence related to COVID-19.

The following is a summary of the most recent information posted to our COVID-19 portal.

Convalescent Plasma Therapy for the Treatment of COVID-19: Clinical Effectiveness

• We conducted a literature search to find evidence on the clinical effectiveness of convalescent plasma therapy for the treatment of COVID-19.
• Two non-randomized studies were identified and their abstracts (as well as the links to the full publications) are included in this report; however, CADTH has not critically appraised these studies.
• Additional information of potential interest is included in the appendix.

Reusing Metered Dose Inhalers in a Health Care Setting: Clinical Effectiveness, Cost-Effectiveness, and Guidelines

• We searched for evidence on the safety and cost-effectiveness of reusing the canister portion of metered dose inhalers (MDIs) across multiple patients in a health care setting. We also searched for any evidence-based guidelines on the topic.
• Three non-randomized studies were identified regarding the safety of reusing the canister portion of MDIs and they are summarized in this report. However, no cost-effectiveness studies or evidence-based guidelines were identified.

Prone Positioning for the Management of COVID-19: Clinical Effectiveness and Guidelines

• We conducted a literature search to look for evidence on the clinical effectiveness of prone positioning in the management of COVID-19 in adults, as well as any evidence-based guidelines.
• One evidence-based guideline from the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the Society of Critical Care Medicine was identified, suggesting 12 to 16 hours of prone ventilation for mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 and moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Additional Resources

• CADTH is pleased to showcase additional COVID-19 resources from our partner organizations, as well as from the Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial governments’ health jurisdictions:
• Pan-Canadian Health Organizations
• Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Information

CAN’T FIND WHAT YOU NEED? LET US KNOW.

Canadian ministries and departments of health, publicly funded organizations responsible for health service delivery, and clinical society stakeholders are encouraged to submit a request or contact their CADTH Liaison Officer. We’re here to help.

The CADTH Weekly COVID-19 Update is intended to keep you informed about the latest information posted on the CADTH COVID-19 portal. You’re receiving this update because you’ve subscribed to our CADTH e-alert system.