CHEST Guidelines-Resource-Poor-Settings--Response,-Recovery,-and-Re

Resource-Poor-Settings--Response,-Recovery,-and-Re

Pdf Summary

The document outlines consensus statements and recommendations for managing mass critical care (MCC) in resource-poor settings during pandemics and disasters, published by members of various medical and academic institutions on behalf of the Task Force for Mass Critical Care. It highlights the challenges faced by low-resource areas, such as inadequate critical care infrastructure, and suggests strategies for improving disaster response and recovery. <br /><br />Key recommendations include:<br />- Implementing an appropriate incident command system to organize pre-hospital and hospital response efforts.<br />- Estimating rehabilitation and prolonged care needs early in disaster response.<br />- Encouraging only experienced disaster response critical care providers to deploy.<br />- Collaborating with military health-care systems and NGOs to share processes and facilitate patient care.<br />- Using standardized data collection tools to ensure accountability and facilitate care assessments.<br /><br />For reconstitution and recovery, the document suggests forming partnerships with local stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition once surge resources leave. It recommends assessing local emergency and critical care services' capacity and incorporating mental health needs into recovery plans. <br /><br />The document also addresses research needs, advocating for studies on health monitoring, prognostication, syndromic surveillance, and cost-effectiveness to set care priorities in resource-poor settings. Emphasis is placed on developing quality improvement programs and supporting research that adapts new technologies to these environments.<br /><br />It underscores the necessity of tailored disengagement plans based on local needs, integrating public health programs, providing long-term follow-up for survivors, and addressing logistical challenges in delivering care. The consensus calls for professional training of humanitarian responders to adapt their skills to resource-constrained environments.<br /><br />Overall, it aims to standardize and improve care for critically ill patients during crises in resource-poor settings through systematic planning, research, and collaborative efforts across various sectors and organizations.

Keywords

mass critical care

resource-poor settings

pandemics

disasters

incident command system

disaster response

critical care infrastructure

collaboration

quality improvement

humanitarian training