COVID-19 Pandemic Healthcare Resource Allocation, Age and Frailty
David Smithard, James Haslam
Abstract
The current coronavirus pandemic presents the greatest healthcare crisis in living memory. Hospitals across the world have faced unprecedented pressure. In the face of this tidal wave of demand for limited healthcare resources, how are clinicians to identify patients most likely to benefit? Should age or frailty be discriminators? This paper seeks to analyse the current evidence-base, seeking a nuanced approach to pandemic decision-making, such as admission to critical care.
Topics & Concepts
PandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Health careResource allocationFace (sociological concept)Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakResource (disambiguation)MedicineBusinessEconomic growthDiseaseComputer scienceSociologyEconomicsVirologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)ManagementComputer networkPathologySocial scienceOutbreakFrailty in Older AdultsGeriatric Care and Nursing HomesGlobal Health Care Issues