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ICU Occupancy and Mechanical Ventilator Use in the United States*

Critical Care MedicinePublished 20 August 2013Open access
Hannah Wunsch, Jason Wagner, Maximilian Herlim, David H. Chong, Andrew A. Kramer, Scott D. Halpern
Citations278
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TL;DR

Occupancy of U.S. ICUs was stable over time, but there is uneven distribution across different types and sizes of units, suggesting substantial surge capacity throughout the system to care for acutely critically ill patients.

Abstract

Occupancy of U.S. ICUs was stable over time, but there is uneven distribution across different types and sizes of units. Only three of 10 beds were filled at any time with mechanically ventilated patients, suggesting substantial surge capacity throughout the system to care for acutely critically ill patients.

Keywords

MedicineHealth Professions