Regional SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Their Impact on Inpatient Treatment

Faculty

Sai Praveen Haranath, MBBS, MPH, FCCP
Senior Consultant Pulmonologist and Critical Care Specialist
Apollo Hospitals
Adjunct Professor, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Apollo Hospitals Educational & Research Foundation (AHERF)
SVP, Medical & Strategy, Apollo Health Axis
Hyderabad, Telangana
India
Cristina Mussini, MD
Full Professor
Department of Infectious Diseases
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Modena, Italy

Statement of Need

The ongoing evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to the emergence of multiple regional variants with varying genetic profiles and clinical implications. These differences significantly impact the efficacy of inpatient COVID-19 treatment strategies, including antiviral use, monoclonal antibody therapy, and supportive care protocols. Despite the abundance of global surveillance data, there is a critical need for clinicians—particularly those managing hospitalized patients—to be equipped with up-to-date, region-specific knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 variants. Understanding how these variants influence treatment responses is essential for optimizing care outcomes, avoiding ineffective interventions, and ensuring appropriate resource allocation during surges.

In this final installment of a CME Outfitters Snack series, expert faculty will guide learners through analysis of regional differences in SARS-CoV-2 variants and their influence on the effectiveness of inpatient COVID-19 treatment strategies.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, learners will be able to better:

  • Analyze regional differences in SARS-CoV-2 variants and their influence on the effectiveness of inpatient COVID-19 treatment strategies

Financial Support

This program has been supported by an independent educational grant from Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Target Audience

Internists, hospitalists, emergency medicine clinicians, ID specialists, clinical pharmacists, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician associates (PAs) practicing in in-patient care settings and similar HCPs in Europe, Asia, and Australia

Credit Information

Jointly Accredited Provider

In support of improving patient care, CME Outfitters, LLC, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians (ACCME) 0.75

CME Outfitters, LLC, designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Pharmacists (ACPE) 0.75

This application-based activity is approved for 0.75 contact hours ( 0.075 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy credit (JA0007185-0000-25-094-H01-P).

Nurses (ANCC) 0.75

This activity is designated for 0.75 contact hours.

California Residents: Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider # CEP 15510, for 0.75 Contact Hours.

Physician Associates (AAPA): 0.75

CME Outfitters, LLC, has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 0.75 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 12/22/2026. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

 

ABIM MOC 0.75

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 0.75 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

 

MIPS Improvement Activity

Completion of this accredited CME activity meets the expectations of an Accredited Safety or Quality Improvement Program (IA_PSPA_28) for the Merit-based Incentive Payment Program (MIPS). Clinicians should submit their improvement activities by attestation via the CMS Quality Payment Program website.

 

Royal College MOC

Through an agreement between the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, medical practitioners participating in the Royal College MOC Program may record completion of accredited activities registered under the ACCME’s “CME in Support of MOC” program in Section 3 of the Royal College’s MOC Program.

 

UEMS-EACCME®

Through a mutual recognition agreement between the AMA and the UEMS-EACCME, European physicians completing an e-learning activity from a US-based ACCME-accredited CME provider can use AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ toward their credit requirements. CME Outfitters is based in Radnor, Pennsylvania, USA. Please retain your certificate as proof of completion.

 

Disclosure Declaration

It is the policy of CME Outfitters, LLC, to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, and scientific rigor and integrity in all of their CE activities. Faculty must disclose to the participants any relationships with commercial companies whose products or devices may be mentioned in faculty presentations, or with the commercial supporter of this CE activity. CME Outfitters, LLC, has evaluated, identified, and mitigated any potential conflicts of interest through a rigorous content validation procedure, use of evidence-based data/research, and a multidisciplinary peer review process. The following information is for participant information only. It is not assumed that these relationships will have a negative impact on the presentations.

Dr. Haranath reports the following financial relationships:

Employment: Employed as a consultant by Apollo Health Axis and Apollo Hospitals

Dr. Mussini reports no financial relationships to disclose.

The following individuals have no financial relationships to disclose:

Thai Nguyen, MD, MHA (Peer Reviewer)
Michael Franks, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC (Peer Reviewer)
Evan Luberger (Planning Committee)
Siddharth Mohan, MPH (Planning Committee)
Kashemi Rorie, PhD (Planning Committee)
Scott J. Hershman, MD, FACEHP, CHCP (Planning Committee)
Sandra Caballero, PharmD (Planning Committee)
Sharon Tordoff (Planning Committee)

*All identified conflicts of interest have been mitigated.

Unlabeled Use Disclosure
Faculty of this CME/CE activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. The faculty have been informed of their responsibility to disclose to the audience if they will be discussing off-label or investigational uses (any uses not approved by the FDA) of products or devices. CME Outfitters, LLC, the faculty, planners, and reviewers do not endorse the use of any product outside of the FDA labeled indications. Medical professionals should not utilize the procedures, products, or diagnosis techniques discussed during this activity without evaluation of their patient for contraindications or dangers of use.

Obtaining Credit

Post-tests, credit request forms, and activity evaluations must be completed online (requires free account activation), and participants can print their certificate or statement of credit immediately (70% pass rate required). This website supports all browsers except Internet Explorer for Mac.

Questions about this activity?

Call us at 877.CME.PROS (877.263.7767).

SN-282-122225-47

Regional SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Their Impact on Inpatient Treatment
Event Date: 12/22/2025