Challenges in Preparing and Managing the Critical Care Services for a Large Urban Area During COVID-19 Outbreak: Perspective From Delhi

Abstract

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put healthcare services all over the world into a challenging situation. The contagious nature of the disease and the respiratory failure necessitating ventilatory care of these patients have put extra burden on intensive care unit (ICU) services. India has been no exception; by March 2020, the number of COVID-19 patients started increasing in India. This article describes the measures taken and challenges faced in creating ample ICU bed capacity to cater to the anticipated load of patients in the state of Delhi, India, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main challenges faced, among others, were estimating the number of ICU beds to be created; deciding on dedicated hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients; procuring ventilators, personal protective equipment, and other related material; mobilizing human resources and providing their training; and providing isolated in-house accommodations to the staff on duty. The authors acknowledge and agree that the methodology proposed in this article is but one way of approaching this difficult scenario and that there could be other, perhaps better, methods of dealing with such a problem.

Effect of Caring of Critically Sick Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia at Undesignated ICU Wards on Secondary Infections

“…Shortage of healthcare facilities in general and ICU beds particularly [ 5 ] produced high amount of stress on the systems and healthcare workers. World responded with great responsiveness with novel solutions [ 6 , 7 ]. Negative pressure rooms were created throughout hospitals on urgent basis.…”

COVID‐19 critical success factors in Indian healthcare industry—A DEMATEL approach

“…The GoI took appropriate steps on a war footing basis and imported high‐quality PPE conforming to national, international standards and restricted the export of ventilators, breathing devices, diagnostic kits, PPE, masks, etc. The shortage of ventilators during the COVID‐19 pandemic was also taken care of by exploring alternative options, developing indigenous ventilators, and so on (Kumar & Kumar, 2020 ; Rayasam & Mande, 2020 ; Tempe et al, 2020 ). The launch of the Aarogya Setu and other specialized apps were also developed to have real‐time monitoring of healthcare resources (Tempe et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The shortage of ventilators during the COVID‐19 pandemic was also taken care of by exploring alternative options, developing indigenous ventilators, and so on (Kumar & Kumar, 2020 ; Rayasam & Mande, 2020 ; Tempe et al, 2020 ). The launch of the Aarogya Setu and other specialized apps were also developed to have real‐time monitoring of healthcare resources (Tempe et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Besides, training related to COVID‐19 precautionary measures to HCS is also vital. Earlier authors argue that the HCS needs an education and training program related to sample collection, using PPE and their safe disposal, ventilatory management, and so on (Sri et al, 2020 ; Tempe et al, 2020 ). These adequate education and training programs impart skills and awareness regarding precautionary measures and appropriate management of healthcare resources among HCS (Ojha et al, 2020 ).…”

Emerging technologies and their roles during the COVID-19 pandemic and safety challenges of frontline medical staff: a rapid review

“…Among these challenges is the safety of the frontline medical staff. The safety of medical staff is paramount; they require strong quality personal protection equipment (PPEs) and disinfection solutions at all times, as they treat the COVID-19 patients (Tempe et al 2020 ). Even in a recently published research, Ertl-Wagner et al ( 2020 ) emphasized the availability of required PPEs in the radiology departments.…”