ICU preparedness in pandemics: lessons learned from the coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak

Abstract

Purpose of review The worldwide SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on ICUs worldwide. This review expounds on lessons learned for ICU preparedness during the pandemic and for future mass casualty events. Recent findings In the 21st century, there have already been several outbreaks of infectious diseases that have led to mass casualties creating ICU strain, providing multiple opportunities for hospitals and hospital systems to prepare their ICUs for future events. Unfortunately, the sheer scale and rapidity of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to overwhelming strain on every aspect of ICU disaster preparedness. Yet, by analyzing experiences of hospitals throughout the first 7 months of the current pandemic in the areas of infection control, equipment preparedness, staffing strategies, ICU spatial logistics as well as acute and postacute treatment, various important lessons have already emerged that will prove critical for successful future ICU preparedness. Summary Preemptive planning, beginning with the early identification of staffing resources, supply chains and alternative equipment sources, coupled with strong infection control practices that also provide for the flexibility for evolving evidence is of utmost importance. However, there is no single approach that can be applied to every health system.

Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Treatment of Viral Diseases

“…Among the numerous epidemics of infectious diseases that the world is facing, viral infections are undoubtedly the biggest pandemic threat in the recent era [1]. The epidemic outbreaks caused by viruses represents a critical threat to public health, particularly when preventive vaccines and effective antiviral therapies are not available [1,2]. Since December 2019, humankind has been confronted with a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has infected more than 110 million people worldwide [2,3].…”

“…The epidemic outbreaks caused by viruses represents a critical threat to public health, particularly when preventive vaccines and effective antiviral therapies are not available [1,2]. Since December 2019, humankind has been confronted with a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has infected more than 110 million people worldwide [2,3]. The pandemic of COVID-19 prompted the scientific world to define new approaches for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases, including the development of new vaccines and antiviral drugs [2].…”

“…Since December 2019, humankind has been confronted with a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has infected more than 110 million people worldwide [2,3]. The pandemic of COVID-19 prompted the scientific world to define new approaches for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases, including the development of new vaccines and antiviral drugs [2]. Despite the fact that vaccination is crucially important for the cessation of pandemic outbreaks, the confirmation of safety and efficacy of newly developed vaccines usually need long-term investigation [3].…”

A Phenomenological Study of COVID-19’s Impact on U.S. Nursing Personnel

“…The equipment is only one link in the chain for a rapid, scalable disaster response in U.S. hospitals. Other elements of consideration are physical space, medical staffing, and the hospital system itself (Harris & Adalja, 2021). No single response will work for individual hospitals, but these key components must be addressed and revisited periodically by hospital administrators as they revise policies and procedures to increase emergency preparedness.…”

Syndemics, Infodemics, and How the Severity of COVID-19 Was Aggravated by Our Maladapted Lifestyle and by the Political Handling of Public Health

“…As a consequence, there have been many recent recommendations for preparing ICUs to deal with such a crisis. These include employing trained intensive care doctors in a role supervising the delivery of care by non-specialist staff ( 10 , 11 ). One suggestion has been to break-down intensive care into its constituent parts and create an “assembly line” approach focused on standardization, simplification, upskilling and multidisciplinary teamworking ( 12 ).…”