What could facilities do to reduce the need for ventilators?
The proposed policy requires that a number of steps be taken if a severe pandemic is occurring: • Elective procedures should be canceled and/or postponed during the period of emergency. • Facilities should limit outpatient procedures, especially those that may require hospital admission and/or ventilator support if complications arise. • Facilities within a region should be encouraged to work out voluntary plans for loans of equipment and staff in a crisis. However, in the event of a severe pandemic, even these measures would still fall short of addressing the anticipated need for ventilators.
