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I'm getting questions about what happens when ICU bed capacity in Illinois is exceeded in a few weeks IF nothing is done. Before that, hospitals will pull any lever they have to make space. But none of levers are without harm. Why we sound alarm now.THREAD https://twitter.com/IMPACT4HC/status/1325848282199896064?s=20
Hospitals will be forced to stop taking ICU transfers from other hospitals. This means that if you are admitted to a community hospital and need more intensive treatments (e.g. bypass surgery for a heart attack), you will waiting for a bed. @HeartOTXHeartMD https://www.npr.org/2020/11/12/934266517/illinois-health-care-workers-say-hospitals-will-run-out-of-icu-beds-by-thanksgiv
Hospitals will also have to stop "elective" surgeries that lead to ICU bed use post op. So you may be thinking nose jobs - wrong...they are actually "medically necessary" treatments for things like cancer or a slew of chronic diseases. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/14/us/coronavirus-covid-surgeries-canceled.html
Imagine your loved one has cancer and needs procedure but postponed. Mass grows because it is cancer which stops for no one. By the time they can get in, the cancer has spread. Prognosis grim. ask any cancer doc for story @ShikhaJainMD @fumikochino https://www.wsj.com/articles/covid-19-outbreaks-led-to-dangerous-delay-in-cancer-diagnoses-11602756013
@uchicagosurgery developed system to help prioritize "medically necessary" surgeries so this doesnt happen which is great. also helps hospitals as they recover from big financial losses of Spring shut down. issue is they need ICU beds to work. @JBMatthews https://www.facs.org/media/press-releases/2020/covid-scoring-system0414
Last resort but sad is to cancel things like an organ transplant surgery. Hurts people who have been waiting and have to keep waiting. And it is their lifeline. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/05/neediest-cases/cancer-cost-him-a-kidney-the-pandemic-delayed-a-transplant.html
Myriad other levers pulled like send least sick ICU patients to floor, board in ED, convert ORs, final is go on bypass-->all of this assumes hospitals have staff on hand. NOT the case. KEY: none of these levers is without harm for the patients, staff or community.
Ppl seem really concerned about avoiding the end stage scenario of hospitals deciding which patients are getting a ventilator or ICU bed. Your hospitals are already making difficult tradeoffs now to free beds that you don't see to avoid this! https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/11/11/coronavirus-soars-hospitals-hope-avoid-an-agonizing-choice-who-gets-care-who-goes-home/
Increased hospitalization rates always follow increased cases. Actions you take now are reflected in data 2-3 weeks from now! Please do #wearamask 
#stayhome 
and keep your bubble small.
We can get through this with your help. #givethankssafely #protectchicago FIN
#stayhome and keep your bubble small. We can get through this with your help. #givethankssafely #protectchicago FIN
