A report released this week aims to assist hospitals in meeting patient care needs during COVID-19 outbreaks. Produced by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats, the report focuses on maximizing the availability of qualified staff, particularly respiratory therapists and critical care nurses. Topics include transferring patients to other facilities; ensuring support for existing staff; recruiting more health care workers; changing staff-to-patient ratios; and using telehealth. (NASEM report, 7/28/20)
