Ethics and Resource Allocation

Be prepared to make resource allocation decisions in the event of a crisis surge response where clinical demands exceed the ability to provide basic critical care services.
 

• SCCM’s new crisis standard of care recommendations offer guidance for assessing a hospital’s capacity status and setting up triage teams; it includes an algorithm for patient assessments.
• A new implementation guide, endorsed by SCCM, provides in-depth surge planning strategies with considerations for ethics, legal and regulatory issues, patients and families, and pediatric care.

While this guidance is meant to be deployed in a crisis, after all attempts to manage surge, move patients, or shift resources from regions with greater availability have been made, it is vital to prepare now for such a scenario.