Oxygen and Ventilator Logistics During California’s COVID-19 Surge: When Oxygen Becomes a Scarce Resource
Asha V. Devereaux, Howard Backer, Arzoo Salami, Chuck Wright, Kate Christensen, Kathleen Rice, Cindy Jakel-Smith, Mitch Metzner, Jasmeet K. Bains, Kathy Staats, Richard D. Branson, Markell Pierce, Erin Noste, David L. Duncan
Abstract
The state of California, in the United States of America, has a population of nearly 40 million people and is the 5th largest economy in the world. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020-2021, the state experienced a medical surge that stressed its sophisticated health-care and public health system. During this period, ventilators, oxygen, and other equipment necessary for providing ventilatory support became a scarce resource in many health-care settings. When demand overwhelms supply, creative solutions are required at all levels of disaster management and health care. This study describes the disaster response by the state of California to mitigate the emergency demands for oxygen delivery resources.