Annals of Intensive Care (Apr 2021)

Admission criteria and management of critical care patients in a pandemic context: position of the Ethics Commission of the French Intensive Care Society, update of April 2021

  • Olivier Lesieur,
  • Jean Pierre Quenot,
  • Zoé Cohen-Solal,
  • Raphaëlle David,
  • Laure De Saint Blanquat,
  • Maxime Elbaz,
  • Bénédicte Gaillard Le Roux,
  • Cyril Goulenok,
  • Sylvain Lavoué,
  • Virginie Lemiale,
  • Emmanuelle Mercier,
  • Chaouki Mezher,
  • Benoît Misset,
  • Gwendolyn Penven,
  • Anne Laure Poujol,
  • Bertrand Quentin,
  • Régis Quéré,
  • Thierry Van Der Linden,
  • Jean Philippe Rigaud

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-021-00855-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 3

Abstract

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Abstract Intensive care unit professionals have experience in critical care and its proportionality, collegial decision-making, withholding or withdrawal of treatment deemed futile, and communication with patients’ relatives. These elements rely on ethical values from which we must not deviate in a pandemic situation. The recommendations made by the Ethics Commission of the French Intensive Care Society reflect an approach of responsibility and solidarity towards our citizens regarding the potential impact of a pandemic on critical care resources in France, with the fundamental requirement of respect for human dignity and equal access to health care for all.