Tag: rationed healthcare

Spiking U.S. coronavirus cases could force rationing decisions similar to those made in Italy, China

Washington Post logoElderly, end-stage cancer patients might get lower priority for ventilators under some state pandemic plans

In the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus pandemic, doctors made life-or-death decisions last month when 1,000 people needed ventilators to support their breathing, but only 600 were available.

In Iran, where numerous high-level officials have been infected, doctors sought unsuccessfully to get the international community to lift sanctions so they could purchase more lifesaving machines.

And in northern Italy, doctors took the painful step last week of issuing guidelines for rationing ventilators and other essential medical equipment, prioritizing treatment for the young and others with the best chance of survival. Continue reading.