The saudi critical care society clinical practice guidelines on the management of COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit
Waleed Alhazzani, FaisalA Al-Suwaidan, Zohair Al Aseri, Abbas Al Mutair, Ghassan Alghamdi, AliA Rabaan, Mohmmed Algamdi, AhmedF Alohali, AyedY Asiri, MohammedS Alshahrani, MahaF Al-Subaie, Tareq Alayed, HindA Bafaqih, Safug Alkoraisi, SaadM Alharthi, FarhanZ Alenezi, Ahmed Al Gahtani, Anas Ahmad Amr, Abbas Shamsan, Zainab Al Duhailib, Awad Al‐Omari
Abstract
Background: Although recent international guidelines have been published on the management of critically ill patients with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is a vital need to develop clinical practice guidelines tailored to the context of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The Saudi Critical Care Society (SCCS) is the sponsor for this guideline. The expert panel consisted of 19 members. All members completed the World Health Organization Conflict of Interest Form. The expert panel formulated questions on the management of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Panel members identified relevant studies. The panel used the categories of Grading Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) to assess the confidence in the evidence. Results: The SCCS expert panel issued 53 statements; of which 7 were strong recommendations, 9 were best practice statements, 32 were weak recommendations, and we were not able to issue recommendations in 5 instances. The statements covered different aspects of the critical illness in COVID-19 patients, including: infection control; therapeutic interventions; supportive care; and crisis management. Conclusion: The SCCS guidelines on the management of critically ill COVID-19 patients have been based on the best available evidence and tailored to the context of Saudi Arabia. These guidelines will be updated periodically to incorporate new evidence.