Hacker News Reader

Original idea: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/22/opinion/health/ventilator...

During a crisis like this, the idea is to pool resources and create a nimble distribution network. Hospitals that don’t need their ventilators can share them, and if they need them they’ll know where to request them.

View on HN

The problem is every hospital is forecasting a dire need for ventilators in the next few weeks. COVID patients can take up a vent for nearly 3 weeks. Any vent that's sent to another hospital right now will likely be gone for the entire duration of this outbreak.

Anecdotally, my wife's hospital, in a rural county with 1 case, is already at ICU capacity and pushing the limit on vents.

Agreed this seems problematic and a significant challenge. Hopefully as the shock has worn off and a clearer picture emerges in the coming months there will be greater willingness to cooperate.

I can add my own anecdotal evidence. My wife is an RN on a pulmonary floor of a hospital in a major metropolitan area. They are already at capacity and have few coronavirus cases.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com