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

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.

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.

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.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is performed to diagnose SARS-CoV‑2 infection. Adjunctive diagnostic measures which enhance diagnostic specificity are lung ultrasound, x‑ray, and computed tomography of the lungs. This also allows categorization of the type of COVID-19 pneumonia.

For early detection and appropriate treatment of SARS-CoV‑2 infection, PCR is needed. Adjunctive sonographic and radiological examinations allow the treatment of COVID-19 patients to be tailored according to the specific type of pneumonia.