Rio Considers Protocol for Prioritizing Bed Occupancy

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Rio de Janeiro State Health Secretariat is studying a protocol to establish who will be provided with a bed in state hospitals should the facilities reach maximum capacity. The increase in the number of Covid-19 cases has overburdened public hospitals and particularly intensive care beds (ICU).

The State Health Secretary, Edmar Santos, believes that should the number of infections continue to grow, soon there will be no places for all patients.

The protocol is being prepared in partnership with the Regional Medicine Council (CREMERJ), the National Academy of Palliative Care, the Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology, the Intensive Care Society and the Fluminense Federal University, among other institutions.

According to the Health Secretariat, practices used in countries such as Spain and the United States are being considered. The goal is to prevent the greatest number of deaths.

Source: Agência Brasil