Severe COVID-19 and healthcare-associated infections on the ICU: time to remember the basics?

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a significant health care challenge globally, with intensive care unit (ICU) provision being of particular consequence [1]. In the UK, where ICU beds are already lower per head of population than in much of the rest of Europe [2], there has been a requirement to expand the ICU bed capacity rapidly in response. St George's Hospital is a 1000-bedded tertiary care hospital in South West London. From an initial ICU capacity of 60 beds spread over three purpose-built units, ICU beds expanded at peak surge in April 2020 to 83 COVID-19 beds and 13 non-COVID-19 beds (96 in total), involving additional space on two medical wards, a day unit and surgical theatres.