A worried ICU doctor writes Archived Message Posted by Mary on March 3, 2020, 12:50 pm I’m an ICU doctor. The NHS isn’t ready for the coronavirus crisis https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/03/icu-doctor-nhs-coronavirus-pandemic-hospitals 'ICU is a precious and scarce resource in terms of beds, staff and equipment. This is especially so in the UK. In 2012 the UK had about 4,100 critical care beds including ICU beds and “high dependency” beds which are a step down from full ICU care. Compared with other European countries the UK ranked 23rd of 31 in terms of ICU beds per head of population and 29th of 31 for all hospital beds. Germany has approximately four times as many ICU beds per capita as the UK and the USA perhaps 10-fold as many. Data from 2017 suggest little change. Most UK ICUs therefore run at or above 90% occupancy and often can only admit new patients only by discharging others – even when workload is normal. Covid-19 will increase pressures not only because of weight of numbers but because intermediate treatments for pneumonia and lung failure are “aerosol-generating” (ie they risk spreading the disease) so cannot be used and early recourse to ICU is required.' Pray God it does not become an epidemic and these good NHS staff members are spared the anxiety and stress. Message Thread: A worried ICU doctor writes - Mary March 3, 2020, 12:50 pm Re: A worried ICU doctor writes - dan March 3, 2020, 9:30 pm Re: A worried ICU doctor writes - johnlilburne March 4, 2020, 1:52 pm Ditto what John says, dan. Christ, what a situation for you! Solidarity - and lots of extra chi! NOM - Rhisiart Gwilym March 4, 2020, 7:02 pm   Searching