PREPARING THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU) FOR THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: WITH PRACTICAL AND STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has developed into a global pandemic. The coronavirus disease outbreak of 2019 (COVID-19) has posed significant challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. The establishment of an intensive care unit (ICU) is a critical component of any pandemic response. We discuss the critical principles and strategies for ICU readiness in this review. Additionally, we describe the early stages of our outbreak and discuss some of the difficulties encountered. To ensure the sustainability of intensive care unit services, we propose the following: 1) develop and implement rapid identification and isolation protocols, as well as increase ICU bed capacity; (2) provide a sustainable workforce with an infection control focus; (3) ensure adequate supplies to equip ICUs and protect health workers; and (4) maintain clinical quality of management and effective communication.