Let’s stop the blame game over the ICU beds shortage for COVID-19 patients

Let’s stop the blame game over the ICU beds shortage for COVID-19 patients

The situation in UK intensive care units (ICUs) is grave. Across the UK, units are under immense pressure and are as busy or busier than they were in the first wave. All plans enacted over the summer to provide support for... read more

Failing to Learn and Learning to Fail

Failing to Learn and Learning to Fail

Last week saw the publication of yet another damning report shining a spotlight on the culture of cover up and denial in our healthcare system. Bill Kirkup’s report—”The Life and Death of Elizabeth Dixon: A Catalyst... read more

Therapeutic Alternatives and Strategies for Drug Conservation in the ICU During Times of Drug Shortage

Therapeutic Alternatives and Strategies for Drug Conservation in the ICU During Times of Drug Shortage

During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic, urgent strategies to alleviate shortages are required. Evaluation of the feasibility, practicality, and value of drug conservation strategies and therapeutic alternatives... read more

Preparing for COVID-19 Related Drug Shortages

Preparing for COVID-19 Related Drug Shortages

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted all aspects of healthcare delivery. There is widespread concern that increased clinical demands due to the virus will outstrip available resources. Much attention has focused... read more

Critical Care Clinician Reports on COVID-19

Critical Care Clinician Reports on COVID-19

This national ICU clinician survey indicates that hospitals are expanding ICU bed capacity to prepare for coronavirus disease 2019 patient surge. Importantly, amid this preparation, ICU clinicians harbor concerns regarding... read more

Norepinephrine Shortage and Mortality Among Patients With Septic Shock

Norepinephrine Shortage and Mortality Among Patients With Septic Shock

Drug shortages in the United States are common, but their effect on patient care and outcomes has rarely been reported. This cohort study evaluated whether a national shortage of norepinephrine in the United States in 2011... read more

NHS Cancels 14% of Operations at Last Minute

NHS Cancels 14% of Operations at Last Minute

One in seven NHS hospital operations are being cancelled just before they are due to take place, often because of a lack of beds, staff or operating theatres, research reveals. Of 26,171 procedures due to take place during... read more

Hospitals Prepare To Launch Their Own Drug Company To Fight High Prices And Shortages

Hospitals Prepare To Launch Their Own Drug Company To Fight High Prices And Shortages

Shortages of commonplace generic drugs have plagued hospitals in recent years. And with short supplies and fewer suppliers for key drugs, there have been price increases. Hospital purchasing agents keep searching for new... read more

Doctors Raise Alarm About Shortages Of Pain Medications

Doctors Raise Alarm About Shortages Of Pain Medications

In an informal survey of nearly 2,500 anesthesiologists conducted by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, 98 percent of respondents said they "regularly experience drug shortages at their institutions." More than 95... read more

NHS ICUs Sending Patients Elsewhere Due to Lack of Beds

NHS ICUs Sending Patients Elsewhere Due to Lack of Beds

Six in ten UK ICUs cannot function normally because they are so short of nurses, a survey has found. Patients whose lives are at risk are being turned away from their local hospitals because of a lack of intensive care beds,... read more

Are We Using IV Bags Properly?

Are We Using IV Bags Properly?

In the months since Hurricane Maria, my hospital has dealt with an IV bag shortage. It turns out that might not be such a bad thing. Among the collateral damage of Hurricane Maria’s havoc on Puerto Rico is the shutdown... read more

3 Reasons Many Nurses are Leaving the Profession

3 Reasons Many Nurses are Leaving the Profession

A 2017 study from RNnetwork, one of the largest, travel nursing companies in the country, shows nearly half of the nurses they surveyed are considering leaving the field altogether. RNnetwork provided an email poll to more... read more

New AAMC Research Reaffirms Looming Physician Shortage

New AAMC Research Reaffirms Looming Physician Shortage

The United States will face a shortage of between 40,800 and 104,900 physicians by 2030, according to a new study commissioned by the AAMC. Released March 14, 2017, the study found that the numbers of new primary care physicians... read more

Shortages Of Essential Emergency Care Drugs Increase, Study Finds

Shortages Of Essential Emergency Care Drugs Increase, Study Finds

The problems persist even after Congress in 2012 gave the FDA enhanced powers to respond when drug levels are low. At some hospitals, posters on the wall in the emergency department list the drugs that are in short supply... read more