Access to Critical Care and Triage
All patients in South Africa should have access to critical care. Critical care should not be denied to anyone based on their race, gender, religion, nationality, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. Critical care resources are, however, finite and rationing of critical care resources is expected and appropriate. This not only prevents wasteful health expenditure but prevents unnecessary non-bene
All patients in South Africa should have access to critical care. Critical care should not be denied to anyone based on their race, gender, religion, nationality, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. Critical care resources are, however, finite and rationing of critical care resources is expected and appropriate. This not only prevents wasteful health expenditure but prevents unnecessary non-beneficial therapies, which may prolong pain and suffering in a patient in whom critical care is not appropriate. Patients who are unlikely to enjoy the long-term benefits of critical care due to severe neurological or other organ impairment or who are unlikely to survive critical care admission due to acute or chronic organ dysfunction should not be admitted to critical care units. These decisions should be made by senior medical practitioners and be supported by clear triage policies for each unit. The Critical Care Society of Southern Africa Consensus Guideline on ICU Triage and Rationing (ConICTri) and the document. “Allocation of Scarce Critical Care Resources During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in South Africa”, offer further guidance in this regard 20, 21.
Critical Care Society of Southern Africa Guidelines for the Provision of Critical Care Services in South Africa - Critical Care Society of Southern Africa - Version 1: July 2022