TLAVentilator Stockpile for Covid-19
September 20, 2020
The US Strategic National Stockpile Ventilators in Coronavirus Disease 2019
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2020.09.085
Rich Branson, MSc; Jeffrey R. Dichter, MD; Henry Feldman, MD; Ryan C. Maves, MD; Niranjan “Tex” Kissoon, MB; Lewis Rubinson, MD, PhD; et al
Background
Early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was serious concern that the United States would encounter a shortfall of mechanical ventilators. In response, the US government, using the Defense Production Act, ordered the development of 200,000 ventilators from 11 different manufacturers. These ventilators have different capabilities, and whether all are able to support COVID-19 patients is not evident.
Research Question
Evaluate ventilator requirements for affected COVID-19 patients, assess the clinical performance of current US Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) ventilators employed during the pandemic, and finally, compare ordered ventilators’ functionality based on COVID-19 patient needs.
Study Design and Methods
Current published literature, publicly available documents, and lay press articles were reviewed by a diverse team of disaster experts. Data were assembled into tabular format, which formed the basis for analysis and future recommendations.
Results
COVID-19 patients often develop severe hypoxemic acute respiratory failure and adult respiratory defense syndrome (ARDS), requiring high levels of ventilator support. Current SNS ventilators were unable to fully support all COVID-19 patients, and only approximately half of newly ordered ventilators have the capacity to support the most severely affected patients; ventilators with less capacity for providing high-level support are still of significant value in caring for many patients.
Interpretation
Current SNS ventilators and those on order are capable of supporting most but not all COVID-19 patients. Technologic, logistic, and educational challenges encountered from current SNS ventilators are summarized, with potential next-generation SNS ventilator updates offered.
Submit New Article
If you'd like to add a new article or paper to this page, please let us know by submitting a new GitHub issue at CTIL/TLA issues