Sometimes a medical resource has an availability less than the potential demand. It is important that it be allocated in the best way.
Examples of medical resources that need to be allocated:
(1) blood products during a blood shortage
(2) ventilators during an epidemic with respiratory failure
(3) vaccines during limited availability
(4) surgery
(5) ICU beds
Principles for allocation:
(1) allocate resources to maximize benefit and minimize harm
(1a) if during a crisis, then priority may be given to those needed to deal with the crisis
(2) allocate resources equitably
(3) the process is open and transparent
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Patient Factors
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Unlikely to Benefit
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Likely to Benefit
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fitness
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unfit
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fit
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disease status
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advanced with no hope of cure
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early and curable
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life-expectancy
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short
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long
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compliance with requirements
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unlikely
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likely
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It may be necessary to deny resources to certain patients. This is an unpleasant task which can have negative repercussions. However, squandering limited resources on a few patients who will not benefit is a worse choice.
