Neurocritical Care Resource Utilization in Pandemics: A Statement by the Neurocritical Care Society

Abstract

Global healthcare delivery has been impacted significantly by the millions of cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Data from China suggest a potential association between COVID-19 mortality and health resource availability. Projection models of hospital utilization during the COVID-19 outbreak have led to efforts to optimize critical care response and increase critical care resources. In spite of robust and innovative attempts to increase the number of available intensive care unit (ICU) beds, appropriate allocation of medical resources is under constant flux, from rationing of personal protective equipment (PPE) to allocating ICU beds, ventilators, and staff to those who may benefit most. Though cases of COVID-19 are currently increasing, individuals continue to suffer from other medical emergencies, including neurologic emergencies such as acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, traumatic brain injury, traumatic spinal cord injury, and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Given the expected differences in resource availability and pandemic response across various institutions globally, the Neurocritical Care Society (NCS) has decided to put forth this document to provide key considerations for care of neurocritically ill patients during a pandemic.