Impact_of_the_COVID-19_pandemic_on_ICU_capacity

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ICU capacity

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ICU capacity

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One of the main drivers of the COVID-19 pandemic is Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity as resources such as hospital staff and personal protective equipment (PPE) are continuously used up. Although disaster planning for such a contingency had already taken place (and indeed has been updated),[1] the sheer scale of the impact first became apparent on the state level in late November 2020.[2][3][4]

Not least amongst the concerns is the tremendous strain on staff and the inability to transfer patients to other hospitals which are likewise swamped, a particular problem in rural states which have commensurate health care infrastructure.[5]

So serious is the issue that Governor Newsom of California issued a strict stay-at-home order to take effect 48 hours whenever any of that state's five regions -Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California, Greater Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley, and Southern California reach 15% remaining capacity as projections were that hospitals shall be swamped by Christmas.[6]

References

  1. [1]
    McCarthy, Niall (2020-05-22). "States Compared [Infographic]". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  2. [2]
    Phelan, John (2020-11-20). "Minnesota's total ICU capacity has fallen by 229 beds – 10.6% – since early October". Center of the American Experiment. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  3. [3]
    "COVID-19 Data Dashboard – Patient Impact & Hospital Capacity". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 16, 2020.
  4. [4]
    Soo, Kim (2020-10-20). "Utah Hospital's ICU at 104 Percent Capacity as State Sees Record COVID Hospitalizations". Newsweek. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  5. [5]
    Simmons, Tommy (2020-12-01). "Some Treasure Valley hospitals faced decisions on ICU capacity Monday night as COVID-19 cases rise". Idaho Press.
  6. [6]
    Moon, Sarah (2020-12-04). "Newsom issues regional stay-at-home order based on ICU capacity to battle record Covid surge in California". MSN News.


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