Surging ICU during COVID-19 pandemic: an overview

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide.
• Significant issues included inequitable access to ICU beds, limited resources, and compromised non-COVID-19 care.
• The pandemic also impacted family-centered care due to visitation restrictions and led to widespread community apprehension and misinformation.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare systems adapted to manage subsequent pandemic waves, but persistent effects on healthcare infrastructure remain.
• Effective management of ICU surges requires robust strategies for staffing, capacity, and patient-family communication.
• Addressing healthcare inequities is crucial for pandemic preparedness and response in critical care settings.