Abstract
Purpose
To provide a revised definition, process and purpose of triage to maximise the number of patients receiving intensive care
during a crisis.
during a crisis.
Methods
Based on the ethical principle of virtue ethics and the underlying goal of providing individual patients with treatment according
to their best interests, the methodology of triage is reassessed and revised.
to their best interests, the methodology of triage is reassessed and revised.
Results
The decision making processes regarding treatment decisions during a pandemic are redefined and new methods of intensive care
provision recommended as well as recommending the use of a 'ranking' system for patients excluded from intensive care, defining
the role of non-intensive care specialists, and applying two types of triage as 'organisational triage' and 'treatment triage'
based on the demand for intensive care.
provision recommended as well as recommending the use of a 'ranking' system for patients excluded from intensive care, defining
the role of non-intensive care specialists, and applying two types of triage as 'organisational triage' and 'treatment triage'
based on the demand for intensive care.
Conclusion
Using a different underlying ethical basis upon which to plan for a pandemic crisis could maximise the number of patients
receiving intensive care based on individual patients' best interests.
receiving intensive care based on individual patients' best interests.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s00134-010-1986-2
- Authors
- Andrew Tillyard, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
- Journal Intensive Care Medicine
- Online ISSN 1432-1238
- Print ISSN 0342-4642
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