Hello Guys
I don't think adopting a broad brush approach of get 30% more kit is the answer. We have equipment libraries, so the as far as infusion devices are concerned - we should be fine.
Monitoring these patients - i am not sure on the need for invasive monitoring, pulse oximetry, temp and nibp should suffice. So we could probably reduce the holdings at general ward level to increase the availability on the (temporary) isolation (higher dependency) wards.
I think that more haemodyalisis machines and vents will be required
- but even when more vents are required - anaesthetic vent could be used at a push.
In Australia they did have a contingency plan based on 10% more high dependancy patients. I think that as EBME engineers we should be evaluating our sites and advising the execs. I expect that at most sites the execs have thought about staffing and face masks - but not about medical equipment.
With the pandemic expected to peak again in 6 to 8 weeks, it does not give us much time for contingency planning.
I was speaking to some suppliers yesterday about lead times and the average is 6 weeks. So if you need to buy anything - it needs to be bought quickly.
