Hospitals across the U.S. battling the coronavirus have been consistently reporting shortages of personal protective gear, ventilators and drugs used to help patients with pain management. Across the city in Brooklyn, Dr. Dorian Alexander at Brookdale Hospital said, 'We burn through oxygen everyday
Hospitals across the U.S. battling the coronavirus have been consistently reporting shortages of personal protective gear, ventilators and drugs used to help patients with pain management. But medical professionals in the state that's become the front line in America's fight against COVID-19 say they're concerned about the flow of oxygen itself to patients.
"We're consuming oxygen faster than we've ever consumed oxygen in hospitals before," said Dr. Peter Papadakos, the director of critical care medicine and professor of anesthesiology, surgery and neurosurgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center. In most cases, the patients have been discharged from the emergency department with often positive but not severe cases of coronavirus and are provided with a portable meter that measures oxygen levels to track how they are doing or home oxygen tanks. The patients, sources said, then have a follow-up a tele-visit from a physician within 12 to 24 hours.
The air people breathe is about 21% oxygen, but more highly concentrated, pressurized oxygen is a commodity, especially in medicine. In most circumstances, oxygen is produced in plants and facilities across the country two general ways. Larger, high-pressure tanks are typically sent to hospitals and other medical facilities. Lower pressure tanks, which are typically smaller, are designed for personal use.
Story continues"As COVID-19 is predominantly a respiratory disease, and as patient numbers continue to rise, we're going to see an increase in demand for medical oxygen" said Dr. David Ferraro, the Society of Critical Care Medicine Fundamental Disaster Management vice chair.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Some hospitals are facing an oxygen shortage amid coronavirus crisis'We're consuming oxygen faster than we've ever consumed oxygen in hospitals before.'
Read more »
Trump Again Accuses Health Care Workers Of Squandering MasksThe president told a reporter to investigate hospitals over the shortage, even though experts warned of supply problems amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more »
Eight Acts of Goodness Amid the COVID-19 OutbreakThere is no shortage of goodness, kindness, and heroism as the world battles the novel coronavirus.
Read more »
Coronavirus Prompts Hospitals to Find Ways to Reuse Masks Amid ShortagesHospitals and research groups are racing to roll out new ways to reuse face masks safely, an effort that could protect front-line workers grappling with shortages while also creating a potential path to reduce medical waste long term.
Read more »
Tinsley Mortimer Gives Wedding Update Amid CoronavirusWill Tinsley Mortimer Invite Any of Her Real Housewives Co-Stars to Her Wedding?
Read more »