CHEST Guidelines-Care of the Critically Ill and Injured During Pandemics and Disasters

Care of the Critically Ill and Injured During Pandemics and Disasters - CHEST Consensus Statement

Pdf Summary

The CHEST 2014 Consensus Statement "Care of the Critically Ill and Injured During Pandemics and Disasters" provides guidelines for managing a surge in critically ill patients due to pandemics or disasters. Developed by an international Task Force comprising a diverse range of experts, it offers suggestions based on expert opinion due to the lack of high-quality studies. The emphasis of the recommendations is on extending care beyond ICUs to ensure comprehensive management of all critically ill or injured individuals, whether adults or children, at any care location.<br /><br />Key considerations include clinical priorities, logistics (such as supplies, evacuation, and triage), and enabling factors like systems planning, business continuity, legal frameworks, and ethics. Strategies are outlined within a spectrum of surge responses: conventional, contingency, and crisis standards of care. The document further categorizes suggestions for specific roles such as clinicians, hospital administrators, public health officials, and medical societies.<br /><br />The Task Force aims for systemic responses, recommending the integration of mass critical care concepts across different levels of surge events. This includes logistical readiness, defining roles and responsibilities, and collaborative engagement across various healthcare systems. Special attention is given to unique and vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to resources, and addressing gaps in pediatric, trauma, and specialty care during emergencies.<br /><br />The statement also covers financial supports, ethical considerations, and legal preparedness essential for deploying mass critical care effectively. Additionally, it underscores the importance of research to enhance evidence-based practices by promoting innovative approaches, partnerships, and strategic frameworks.<br /><br />Overall, the consensus statement is a crucial guide designed to augment disaster preparedness and response strategies to deliver efficient, ethical, and legally supported critical care amid global health challenges.

Keywords

pandemics

disasters

critically ill

surge management

ICU care

logistics

ethics

mass critical care

vulnerable populations

disaster preparedness