Intensive Care Unit Setup for COVID-19

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has become a challenge to all the healthcare systems in the world. Urgent creation of an intensive care unit (ICU) for the same is the need of the hour. The ideal ICU for COVID -19 should be isolated, fully equipped with invasive and noninvasive monitoring, with 24/7 trained medical personnel, nursing staff and laboratory support. As the coronavirus infection is transmitted by droplets and is highly contagious, protection of healthcare workers is crucial. Personnel working inside the ICU should get personal protective equipment (PPE). Strict guidelines for donning and doffing of PPE should be followed to prevent cross-contamination. Respiratory failure being the commonest complication of COVID-19, knowing the ventilator management for the same is essential. It is of great importance to meticulously manage all the resources to combat this contagion.

The Intensive Care Unit in the “COVID-19 Era”

“…Panse et al 6 have elegantly described the requirements to set up a COVID-19-dedicated ICU in terms of (i) ICU infrastructure capacity building, (ii) ICU staffing, (iii) ICU triage, (iv) PPE, and (v) ICU research. In the event of surging of COVID-19 patients who need ICU care and when the ICU beds are overwhelmed, patient care may be provided in a high-dependency units outside the ICU.…”

“…5 Termination of resuscitative efforts and guidance on postresuscitative care have been extensively debated. 6 In this editorial, we highlight the clinical modalities of this novel disease along with logistical solutions to handle the crisis situation that has arisen in its wake.…”

Is it a challenging task to work with personal protective equipment in a COVID-19 ICU

“…The same is also recommended while dealing with confirmed COVID-19 patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). [ 7 ] Use of a PPE does not eliminate the source of infection; hence, the wearer is at risk of being exposed to the hazard if the equipment fails. PPE creates a barrier between the user and the working environment, which can put extra strain on the wearer and impair their ability to carry out work comfortably.…”