COVID Chronicles: What Does Triage Mean, How Does it Work, and When Will We Need It

by Craig Klugman, Ph.D. Doctors in Italy have run out of beds. They have run out of ventilators. They are now having to decide who may live and who will likely die. For many, utilitarianism has helped making decisions—maximizing likeliness to survive and remaining years of life. The U.S. may not be far behind in having to make these tough choices. Some hospitals in harder hit regions like New York City and Seattle are already finding themselves stretched thin. They have had to expand their surge capacity (the ability to meet the expanded needs of a growing patient population beyond normal operations) by increasing beds in each room, putting gurneys in hallways, and setting tents.…
Source: blog.bioethics.net - Category: Medical Ethics Authors: Tags: Clinical Ethics Decision making Featured Posts Justice Public Health #diaryofaplagueyear Coronavirus; Pandemic; Ethics; Public Health COVID-19 Triage Source Type: blogs