Doctors told they face 'agonising choices' over who gets potentially life-saving treatments
Doctors are being told that, as the coronavirus pandemic spreads, they will face"agonising choices" over who gets potentially life-saving treatments.The professional body says there needs to be an urgent public debate about the issue in these"unprecedented times".The government has ordered thousands of ventilators to help ease the pressure on hospitals caused by the coronavirus crisis.
These, along with specialist life-support machines called ECMO , will be needed for the sickest patients to aid breathing and, when possible, save lives.Doctors have to make difficult choices about treatment in their everyday practice, but the coronavirus outbreak means they will have to make life-death decisions more often and sometimes based on capacity rather than just need, the BMA is warning.
Nevertheless, it is legal and ethical to prioritise treatment among patients. This applies where there are more patients with needs than there are resources available. When resources are too scarce and choices have to be made about who to treat, doctors are urged to consider:Frailty or, where clinically relevant, age
The BMA says managers and senior doctors will set"thresholds" for admission to intensive care units - the places where the most sick will need treating with ventilators.Patients whose"probability" of dying, or requiring prolonged intensive support, exceeds the set threshold would not be considered for intensive treatment. They should still receive other forms of medical care, says the advice.
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