The COVID-19 pandemic has led to shortages of essential goods and services – from hand sanitizers to masks to beds to ventilators. Today, the healthcare system is facing the prospect of rationing medical goods and services.

Mechanical ventilation has come out to be the most problematic.

Several countries are already facing a shortage of ventilators. Italy’s experience has already shown that approximately 25% of hospitalised COVID-19 patients will require ventilation for several weeks.

How will this problem be handled as COVID-19 cases across Europe, USA and Canada continue to increase?

Based on the estimates from Italy, the number of patients that could possibly need ventilation could range from 2 to 31 patients per ventilation. Will it become necessary to ration ventilators? This certainly depends on the pace of the pandemic, but most experts warn that this could be a real possibility.

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