Preface

Understanding Crisis in Critical Care is a narrative on accommodating an overwhelming surge of critically ill patients from pandemics, natural disasters, or war, while ensuring the safety of the healthcare staff. A crisis standard of care is when resources are limited. Triage models are used to provide treatment based on the best level of evidence for the available resources. Various stakeholders continuously reassess the supply with the patient load. Drugs are repurposed to meet the time of need. Healthcare providers go beyond their specialty to provide care for any patient.

Inspired by coronavirus disease 2019, the narrative is driven by this pandemic. The initial approach for any crisis is similar. However, each cause of crisis can have unique challenges.

I hope this book provides insight into the present and any future crises.