Hospitals diminish available coronavirus hospitalization beds.
German Hospitals Reduce ICU Beds for COVID-19 Patients
Berne, Germany (dpa) - Amid rising coronavirus infection numbers, several German states have scaled back the number of intensive care beds (ICU) reserved for severely ill COVID-19 patients. This trend was reported by the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung."
Baden-Württemberg, for instance, reduced the ICU bed reservation from 35% to 10% this week. Other states, such as Berlin, Lower Saxony, and Bavaria, have been operating under this reduced quota since June, July, and summer, respectively.
Some states, like Brandenburg, Hamburg, and Saxony-Anhalt, have had no COVID-19-specific ICU bed reservations since the summer. Only Rhineland-Palatinate maintained a 20% reservation, with no plans to decrease it.
President of the German Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, expressed concern over abandoning the quota regulations. Despite the current infection surge, he considers it reasonable to keep about 10% of ICU beds free for COVID-19 patients, but not one-third, as Baden-Württemberg previously required. Reinhardt notes that there has not been a significant strain on intensive care stations, and hospitals can expand their capacities if necessary.
While there is no longer a shortage of ventilators in German hospitals, doctors fear a possible uneven distribution of COVID-19 patients during a second wave of infections. Götz Geldner, president of the German Association of Anaesthetists, pointed out that intensive care units might face staff shortages in the event of a surge in severe COVID-19 cases due to a lack of well-trained staff.
Since early August, the number of COVID-19 patients occupying ICU beds has fluctuated between about 220 and 250, despite a significant increase in new infections. However, on Saturday, the number rose to 260, the highest figure in around six weeks. Although the proportion of ICU patients remains relatively low at 1.3%, compared to the estimated number of active infections, this number has been climbing.
While the decision to reduce COVID-19 ICU beds might be motivated by shifting demand, resource optimization, and financial considerations, it raises concerns about preparedness for future outbreaks, potential impacts on vulnerable populations, and general healthcare capacity during times of increased demand for other critical care services.
Photo: Hospital, via dpa
The reduction in ICU beds for COVID-19 patients, as observed in several German states, may have implications for future medical-conditions and health-and-wellness across various age groups. The German Medical Association's president, Klaus Reinhardt, insists that maintaining a small quota of ICU beds for COVID-19 patients is still essential, despite shifting demands and financial concerns, to address health crises and other science-related emergencies.
