[Emergency and intensive care medicine aspects of COVID-19 infections].

[Emergency and intensive care medicine aspects of COVID-19 infections]. Radiologe. 2020 Aug 25;: Authors: Dodt C, Schneider N Abstract CLINICAL ISSUE: The COVID 19 pandemic led to a profound adaptation of the German healthcare system in preparation of a massive increase of SARS-CoV-2-associated diseases. While general practitioners care for COVID patients who are less severely ill, hospitals are focused on the care of severely ill COVID-19 patients. STANDARD TREATMENT: The role of emergency medicine (EM) is to rapidly detect the virus, to classify disease severity, and to initiate therapy. In addition, the flow of patients into the hospital must be directed in such a way that optimal care is provided without risk of infecting health care personnel and patients. Despite optimal intensive care treatment, the mortality of patients remains high if organ failure develops, especially in patients who are older or have pre-existing conditions. TREATMENT INNOVATIONS: Rapid diagnosis of patients with SARS-CoV‑2 infection together with assessment of disease severity and awareness of organ failure are the mainstays of emergency care. Intensive care is needed for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2-induced organ failure, whereby lung failure in these patients requires differentiated ventilation therapies. DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is performed to diagnose SARS-CoV‑2 infection. Adjunctive d...
Source: Der Radiologe - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Radiologe Source Type: research